Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Monday, Wednesday and Friday-May through September

Not a single vote

I understand Dwaine Casey voted as NBA Coach of the Year, no argument from me.  The Raptors flamed out in the playoffs however they had the second best regular season won-loss record in the association.  What I don't understand Doc Rivers receiving a vote for the honor and Brad Stevens being passed over.  I know the recognition is for the regular season but Rivers and his Clippers under achieved all season.  Did the Clippers suffer injuries, sure but so did several other teams some still playing?  Rivers and his Clippers have been sitting on the sidelines for a month having missed the playoffs.  Where was it written “Life is fair?” 

Don’t know if I mentioned this

The legendary Dr. J. stated recently the Sixers should have chosen Jason Tatum (who went to the Celtics) over Markelle Fultz in the 2017 draft.  Those words say a great deal considering they come from the man who once soared on the court for the Sixers.  I can agree with the good doctor but also conduct a hindsight view of the draft.  Remember the Sixers had drafted Ben Simmons in 2016 although he’d missed the season with an injury.  The belief at the time Simmons would play small forward, the Sixers needed a point guard.  The top point guards in the 2017 draft were Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball, after listening to all the noise from LaVar Ball the Sixers decided in favor of Fultz. 

Final Four

The Celtics closed out my Sixers on Thursday 114-112, we are now down to four teams.  This is written prior to action; the Rockets face the Warriors and the Celtics are in action against the Cavs.  A reminder I picked the Raptors over the Cavs so anything I say might be suspect.  With the disclaimer out there allow me to venture out on that shaky tree branch once again.  I’ve not read anything prior to writing this piece, assuming all four teams are healthy I’m ready.  Rather than pick a specific number of games I’m going with the apparent winner, Warriors over Rockets and Cavs over Celtics.

A game for the ages

Chris Paul alone closed out the Pelicans 112-102 and now the Warriors stand in the doorway blocking their path to a championship.  The Rockets point guard scored 41 points while shooting .591 from the floor.  7 rebounds and 10 assists and 0 turnovers.  That’s phenomenal in 38 minutes of action on the floor Paul had no turnovers.  I forgot to add Paul shot .800 from the 3 point line and 7 for 8 from the free-throw line. 

Speaking of the draft

Michael Porter Jr. was the number one top pick on most 2018 NBA mock drafts.  An injury sidelined the Mizzou forward for practically the duration of the season and he would only play 3 games.  Despite the short season Porter Jr. has not fallen very far on most mock sites.  The highest position is the 4^th spot, the lowest number is 8 which guarantees him to be a lottery pick.  Using 2017-18 numbers if Porter Jr. is drafted in 4^th place he receives $4,200,000.00 his first year, if he lands in 8^th place its worth $2,900,000.00.  

Porter Jr. is in the same realm of Kyrie Irving, Irving played only 11 games at Duke before declaring for the 2011 NBA draft.  He too was forced to the sidelines by an injury that witnessed him missing the season.  Irving would become the number 1 pick by the Cavs in 2011, it was his talent projection NBA scouts believed in versus the number of college games.  I’m unsure if there are any other professional sports that believe in talent projections at the level of the NBA, baseball is the only sport that comes to mind although I could be overlooking some other sports.