Game three
Cavs win Game three (maybe), in any event they return home and should play better. Notice I said they should play better, despite this view I continue to believe they are incapable of matching the firepower of the Warriors. Pundits point to the fact there is no “Kyrie Irving” for LeBron which could be the chief issue for the Cavs. Kevin Love provides value to the Cavs but is not the break-down shooter the Cavs need. Kyle Korver shot appears only good at home, as for J.R. Smith well let’s move on. Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson and George Hill have played good in spots but lack consistency. I have no idea what Tristan Thompson is doing, he and J.R. Smith might be voted off the island. In any event the Cavs win Game three, if they fail this series will be a sweep.
You learn something
I watched an interview on Julius Erving the other day, I believed I knew all there was to know about Dr. J. however he provided me background information I didn’t know. As an example, I didn’t realize he could have been a member of the 1972 USA Olympic team. Dr. J. left school after his junior year for the ABA and in that day, pros were not members of the team. Who knows if he’d played on that team the US might have brought home Olympic Gold. He also indicated he was heavily recruited by former St. John’s coach Lou Carnesecca but chose instead to attend UMass. At the time Dr. J. arrived from the ABA coach Gene Shue took him aside and said, “We got a lotta egos on this (Sixer) team hopefully you can adjust.” Despite his Hall of Fame induction and NBA Championship he still believes he’s been slighted in the eyes of many basketball fans.
I watched an interview on Julius Erving the other day, I believed I knew all there was to know about Dr. J. however he provided me background information I didn’t know. As an example, I didn’t realize he could have been a member of the 1972 USA Olympic team. Dr. J. left school after his junior year for the ABA and in that day, pros were not members of the team. Who knows if he’d played on that team the US might have brought home Olympic Gold. He also indicated he was heavily recruited by former St. John’s coach Lou Carnesecca but chose instead to attend UMass. At the time Dr. J. arrived from the ABA coach Gene Shue took him aside and said, “We got a lotta egos on this (Sixer) team hopefully you can adjust.” Despite his Hall of Fame induction and NBA Championship he still believes he’s been slighted in the eyes of many basketball fans.
He
questions his exclusion from the NBA’s 30,000-point club. 11,000 of the points scored were in the ABA
and he feels slighted. For players who
played in both leagues ABA records are recognized but are likely to never be
totaled with those of the NBA. Dr. J.
was then asked about his dunking ability, he’s 67-years old now but claimed he
dunked a ball at age 63. He also
mentioned how the legs (and body) give way after a period. He repeated the often-heard phrase, “Father
time remains undefeated.” Further in the
conversation he mentioned the late Connie Hawkins, for those unfamiliar with
the name he was the predecessor to Dr. J.
Hawkins with huge hands would often hold the basketball as if it were a
grapefruit, he would then soar toward the basket on a drive for an amazing dunk. Hawkins nicknamed the “Hawk” provided the words to Dr. J., these are his words “Lower the rim or raise the floor, the hawk can’t soar no more.”
Sometimes That’s better (at least in one instance)
Best prospect available in the draft? My friend thinks it doesn’t make sense for the Bulls to pick Trae Young with the 6th pick. Rochelle lives in Kansas City but grew up in Chicago, she still has family there and continues her allegiance to the Bulls. I was discussing the upcoming draft and informed her I’d read one mock draft said, “The Bulls are likely to draft Trae Young.” She informed me, “That’s crazy, they don’t need a backcourt player they need help in the front court.” I must inform you (and Rochelle) my reading was one mock draft site, I decided to check three other mock sites.
Best prospect available in the draft? My friend thinks it doesn’t make sense for the Bulls to pick Trae Young with the 6th pick. Rochelle lives in Kansas City but grew up in Chicago, she still has family there and continues her allegiance to the Bulls. I was discussing the upcoming draft and informed her I’d read one mock draft said, “The Bulls are likely to draft Trae Young.” She informed me, “That’s crazy, they don’t need a backcourt player they need help in the front court.” I must inform you (and Rochelle) my reading was one mock draft site, I decided to check three other mock sites.
One
indicated the Bulls would choose Mohamed Bamba Texas, another had Michael
Porter Jr. of Mizzou and the third indicated Wendall Carter of Duke was the
choice. Let’s check the Bulls roster
ahead of the draft and see if Rochelle is correct. The depth chart at the end of the season had
Zach LaVine at the point and Kris Dunn at the two, there are two reserves behind
LaVine and three backing up Dunn. I’ve
not seen enough of the Bulls to make a judgement on their future
direction. Although I believe Trae Young
is a talent I’m unsure if he is the athlete the team needs with its first
pick.
July 1, 2018
The NBA free-agent period begins on that date, free agents fall into three categories, player option, restricted and un-restricted. The 2018 class contains several interesting names, at the top of the list is LeBron James and Kevin Durant. This is written prior to the conclusion of the championship series so I have no idea who won, one stays, and one possibly leaves. Whatever might occur I believe Durant re-signs with the Warriors as for LeBron that remains a mystery. Below those two is Paul George late of the Thunder, does he leave for another team? At this point he too is a mystery, I don’t believe he remains in Oklahoma City. Chris Paul and DeMarcus Cousins, I believe one stays and one goes.
The NBA free-agent period begins on that date, free agents fall into three categories, player option, restricted and un-restricted. The 2018 class contains several interesting names, at the top of the list is LeBron James and Kevin Durant. This is written prior to the conclusion of the championship series so I have no idea who won, one stays, and one possibly leaves. Whatever might occur I believe Durant re-signs with the Warriors as for LeBron that remains a mystery. Below those two is Paul George late of the Thunder, does he leave for another team? At this point he too is a mystery, I don’t believe he remains in Oklahoma City. Chris Paul and DeMarcus Cousins, I believe one stays and one goes.
Paul will likely re-sign if for nothing else
his belief if he’d been able to play the outcome might have been different in
Game 7. Next up is Boogie Cousins, Coach
Alvin Gentry says loudly he wants Boogie back but there is a question. The Pelicans advanced to the playoffs with
Boogie on the sidelines, with that consideration do they pay him the big $$$$ he
will command to stay in New Orleans?
There are others too, DeAndre Jordan operating under a player option and
Clint Capela, Aaron Gordon and Julius Randle all restricted free-agents. There remain several talented free-agents
this is only a glimpse at those at the top.
We could foresee one team signing that one player to raise them to
playoff level or perhaps a championship.
