Basketball from a fans perspective

Boogie
On Monday it was announced the Warriors and DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins had reached an agreement.  The Warriors lost free-agent JaVale McGee to the Lakers, if we rated the two centers we easily acknowledge the Warriors are clearly the winners.  22 points 11 rebounds and almost 2 block shots a game has been registered by Boogie over the course of his career with the Kings and Pelicans.  He suffered an Achilles ending injury in January 2018 forcing him to miss the balance of the season. 

Coach Alvin Gentry made it known he wanted Boogie to return, after he became a free-agent the Lakers were believed to be one of the other teams bidding for his services.  A healthy Boogie is easily the best center in the NBA, as for his new team.  The Warriors are favored in to win in 2018-19, signing Boogie does this move seal the deal for them?  Sorry you must wait until the season for that answer.  One other note, it’s been reported (unconfirmed) Draymon Green helped recruit Boogie.  Every season Draymon and Boogie are at or near the top in receiving technical fouls, it should prove interesting which one manages to remain on the court.      

July 6
Not sure if this was mentioned previously, the agreements between players and teams are verbal at this point.  On July 6 NBA teams can begin signing contracts with the free-agents.  DeAndre Jordan might be an example to use how this works.  You might remember 3 years or so ago he’d verbally agreed to join the Mavs.  Several Clipper teammates flew to Dallas and did an intervention.  They persuaded him to return which he did remaining a member of the Clippers.  This example will not repeat itself this time Jordan will sign a Mavs contract. 

I Try to ignore him as much as possible
Fox Sports Jason Whitlock has made his share of incendiary headlines since his days as a columnist for the Kansas City Star.  He’s continued this trend while working at ESPN twice, AOL Sports and now Fox Sports.  For the most part I believe I’ve done a decent job of ignoring him, there are those occasions which call for commentary on my part.  ‘Lakers made a mistake trusting the future of the franchise to Magic Johnson’ so says Whitlock. This commentary was written about a week or so ago. 

This is my question, Whitlock is so knowledgeable regarding NBA basketball why didn’t he Whitlock submit his name to head the Lakers?  He’s got all the answers to revitalize this storied franchise.  Thanks Jason I will leave the hiring to Jeannie Buss for the time being.  This is the key problem as I see it, you have no method to prove you could analyze talent.  Secondly Magic’s business interest outside of basketball validate he’s got business savvy.  What company have you served as CEO Jason?  On the other hand Jason you certainly are entitled to your opinion however I chose to ignore it.   

Speculation
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer appears serious about his desire to either be an owner or the primary tenant in an arena.  He’s made it clear his displeasure with the lease arrangements at Staples Center.  Although ground is yet to be broken Ballmer’s began serious negotiations for a planned arena site in Inglewood.  I cannot place myself in the position of spending billionaire Ballmer’s money but I’m certainly going to attempt that very task.  Item 1. Ballmer and family live in Hunts Point Washington which is in metro Seattle.   Item 2. We have in Ballmer a former Microsoft guy who is likely familiar with the Seattle market. 

Item 3.  Key Arena in the city is in the process of a refurbish with the intention to be NHL/NBA ready.  Item 4.  What’s not to like about moving the Clippers north to Seattle and resurrect the Sonics again?  Key Arena rebuild should be finished by 2020 well ahead of the expiring Staples Center expiration date.  Item 5.  Could or rather would Ballmer take this bold step and move his team out of the ‘crowded’ Los Angeles market?  The Clippers will always be ‘step children’, the city is Laker/Dodger country followed by other sports.  I’d bet money if I were a betting person the NBA would likely have no problem approving a return to Seattle.     

Makes sense
Jalen Rose former NBA player and ESPN analyst made this comment and I paraphrase.  ‘This view the NBA is full of big market players with big market teams is untrue.  Look at the Lakers, they have struggled on the court and an effort to attract free-agents for several years.  We could look at the Knicks and Nets, New York City teams unable to attract quality free-agents.’  Oklahoma City was able to retain Paul George a guy who grew up in the Los Angeles area. 

The Spurs may not have signed big ticket free-agents but have over the years been able to attract Pau Gasol or LaMarcus Aldridge players to the roster.  I realize I’m using a football phrase however the late Al Davis Raiders owner coined this.  Davis simply said, ‘win baby win’ which is key to any successful sports franchise.  I’ve reached a point I believe Jalen Rose is one of the most insightful analyst covering the game.