“Another One Bites the dust”
With
apologies to Queen for using their 1980 hit as my headline it occurred
again. The Hornets decided to part ways
with Steve Clifford after five seasons so “Another One Bites the Dust.” Clifford becomes the third coach fired since
the NBA season ended on Wednesday. Are
there more, who truly knows.
Don’t mess it up
The
NBA broke its attendance record for the 4th consecutive year,
whatever they are doing I truly hope nobody messes it up. Despite what we might be led to believe the
NFL is on a downward spiral. There are
several contributing factors, traumatic head injuries and the on-going national
anthem issue are just two of the issues.
We haven’t truly felt the wave yet but fewer parents are allowing junior
to play football which eventually will reach the NFL. Before you inform me, I’m disturbed I realize
the NFL remains at the top however the perch supporting them is certainly not
as secure as it once was. Enough
of that I have no desire to fix the problems of the NFL I’m an NBA guy.
If we check out NBA rosters we can truly say youth will be served. I know the face of the league is 30-something guys LeBron and Steph Curry, but they are the exception. The other ascending stars are 25 and younger. Just check the talent that arrived this past season, Kyle Kuzma, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Lonzo Ball and Ben Simmons. They joined Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis and others. Hey Adam Silver, continue to steer the ship in the direction it’s headed. One additional statement this is not intended to state the NBA has no problems they do indeed. I believe they do a much better job of addressing them over other pro sports.
First teen to accomplish
this
Markelle
Fultz came off the Sixers bench to replace Ben Simmons at the point, foul
trouble prevented Simmons from continued action. After a significant injury impacting his
season Fultz’s game versus the Bucks was outstanding. In 25 minutes of action he registered a triple-double
with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Fultz managed to best his point guard rival Lonzo Ball once again. Fultz drafted number one and Ball number two
last June. Ball youngest to a
triple-double at 20 years 15 days until Wednesday night, Fultz is 19 years and
317 days old. One game fails to make a
season however maybe we have been provided a glimpse of his potential.
Useless argument
I
turned on my television this morning and turned to ESPN. The first issue I hear discussed on Golic & Wingo is the
Simmons-Mitchell rookie debate. I
believe this topic was covered in detail on Tuesday in Words eye view, check it out if you missed it. It doesn’t matter which viewpoint any of the
three can do anything about this matter.
The NBA rules in effect clearly indicate Simmons qualifies as a rookie,
if or when the league changes the rule this discussion/argument becomes one
with validity.
Thank you, Doris,
ESPN’s
Doris Burke reminded us of a fact we should have known, she was asked by
broadcast partner Mark Jones who should be 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year. With little hesitation she said Ben Simmons
and then traveled back in time. She
mentioned Blake Griffin and David Robinson won the award a year after they were
drafted, I wondered if there might be someone else. The answer is yes, there is one more name to
add to the list Larry Joe Bird. He was drafted
in 1978 but did not begin play for the Celtics until 1979. I don’t wish to take anything away from
Donovan Mitchell his rookie season has been outstanding. There is no doubt Simmons would have been
ahead of the athletes drafted in June 2017, he had the benefit of studying the
Sixer playbook and might have worked out with several of the Sixers. The key of course he didn't play a single minute last season.
