Basketball from a fans perspective

Who’s with me?

My favorite NBA team (Lakers) missed the playoffs, maybe its next season for them.  I’ve got to adopt a team, I can’t just WATCH the playoffs I’ve got to have a team to root for.  I’ve come to a decision after much thought and consideration my playoff team is………. the Sixers of Philly.  They are still underdeveloped in many aspects however young teams don’t often realize how good they are.  Nobody knows this so it’s just between you and me, I’m a Mizzou guy but first became impressed with Joel Embiid while he was at Kansas.  

I watch this raw but talented athlete move Tarik Black out of the starting lineup I said; “This guy is a keeper.” His NBA development was hindered by a series of injuries causing many of us to wonder if he’s ever going to continue his basketball growth.  Then I read about Ben Simmons and then saw him in action at LSU, my hope was the Lakers draft him.  Simmons even stated at one point he wanted to be a Laker but it was not to be, Philly drafted ahead of us.  Sixer basketball is more than those two, they are a young, up and coming exciting NBA team.  Somebody somewhere owes Sam Hinkie an apology, the foundation of this team has his fingerprints all over it.  With that said who’s with me?

Home of the Blues

Home of the Blues is the nickname often given to Memphis Tennessee, this is not a blues story rather consider it a good news account depending on where you sit.  Tubby Smith was asked to leave and was replaced by local former Memphis and NBA player Penny Hardaway.  Most recently Larry Brown long-time NBA and college coach was added as a part-time consultant for the coaching staff.  This week Mike Miller former NBA sharpshooter has been hired as an assistant coach on the staff.  It appears Hardaway has “hit the ground running” as they say assembling a collection of basketball minds around him.  At this point the staff is probably yet to be completed. 

Cooperative effort

The college basketball mess is far too large and involved to provide a summation in several paragraphs or afternoon sports talk radio.  It was interesting listening to one of the local sports radio host, a portion of his program dealt with the Adidas /FBI/Justice Dept. probe.  The host said; “We need to do A, B and C and presto changeo the problem is resolved.”  Driving down the street I swerved to avoid laughing so hard.  Don’t misunderstand me this issue of paying for players is a very serious matter.  The problem for me if it this was so easy a matter to resolve as this host posed why hasn’t someone attempted a fix before now. 

The NCAA cannot simply standby and do nothing, before this probe is complete they need to address several of the issues brought to the surface thus far.  This from a letter I read: “When are they (FBI) going after Nike and Under Armor?”  This investigation is far from complete, we don’t know at this point regarding either company however rest assured the inquiry will continue until the FBI indicates it is complete.  If the companies mentioned and others are involved somehow names will be forthcoming.  According to news sources how was all this reported cash hidden from the accounting folks at Adidas? 

Vacation paradise

The island nation of The Bahamas is an hour flight time from Miami Florida.  This island chain has become America's vacation destination especially during the winter months.  Information researched indicates the highest average temperature occurs in July 82 degrees, January averages 70 degrees with the year-round lows are usually in the upper 60’s.  I was surprised to read this Commonwealth realm claims basketball as the most popular sport in the nation. 

With ideal weather year-round, it’s a little surprising an indoor sport would be the most participated sport.  Rick Fox former NBA player turned actor was born in the Bahamas but grew up in Canada.  In 2016 shooting guard Buddy Hield was drafted by the Kings and has since been traded to the Pelicans.  The first name likely to be announced by Adam Silver in June will be DeAndre Ayton.  Ayton the 7-foot 250-pound center hails from the capital city of Nassau, through no fault of Ayton Arizona was bounced early from the NCAA Tournament.