Basketball from a fans perspective

2019 Free Agency

It appears the Knicks might be the winner in next year’s sweepstakes or free-agency.  An ESPN panel has Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler headed to Gotham next year.  I browsed the article, what you are about to read is strictly my perspective.  After being drafted by the Bulls and becoming a star quality player Butler was obtained by the Wolves in a trade.  A report circulated Butler is not pleased with the work ethic of at least one Wolves teammate rumored to be Andrew Wiggins.  Becoming a free-agent would allow him the destination of his choice and it’s possible it could be the Knicks.  As for Irving his story is a little more difficult to dissect. 

You might have read what I did, Irving wanted out of Cleveland for the opportunity to lead “his own” team.  Would he leave Boston for the Knicks this one really has me confused?  Let’s just say they both leave; Butler at the SG or SF would be an upgrade over Courtney Lee or Tim Hardaway Jr.  Irving would be a huge upgrade over Trey Burke or whomever the Knicks might start at the point.  I hope fans of Lee, Hardaway Jr. or Burke are not upset with this projection.  I’m certainly not stating the trio mentioned cannot play, plugging Butler and Irving in front of them is a no-brainer.  So, there you have it, what do you think, if we look at the recent past the Knicks have little success in free-agency.  Maybe all this changed in 2019 and they acquire quality free-agent(s).      

Trivia
The oldest on-campus arena still in use might not be the one you believe.  It’s 3,200 seat Rose Hill Gym on the campus of Fordham University in the Bronx, New York.  The building opened in 1925 is still in use by the school’s basketball team.  Next up is Palestra located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.  The arena in Philadelphia is home to Penn, St Joseph’s Temple and Villanova.  Palestra opened its doors in 1927, it should be noted the arena also host the Philadelphia Big 5 championship.  Area schools compete for the city championship. 

Historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis opened in 1928, home to Butler University.  Seating has been reduced from the original figure of 15,000 down to the present day 9,100.  Payne Whitney Gym is on the campus of Yale University, home of the Bulldogs opened its doors in 1932.  Municipal Auditorium is in downtown Kansas City and first opened in 1935, presently it serves as home to University of Missouri-Kansas City.  In the auditorium’s past it served as host for NCAA regional and championship games, in addition to UMKC it also hosts the NAIA championship tournament.  The five oldest arenas in the nation that continue to serve as home for college basketball. 

Dr. James A. Naismith invited the game we love.  He invited the game, unlike baseball, football and hockey basketball didn’t evolve from another sport.  In Springfield Massachusetts one frigid winter at the Springfield YMCA his students first played the game.  Although given credit for the game Dr. Naismith wasn’t very successful coaching it.  In 9 seasons at Kansas his Jayhawk team only registered two winning seasons.  1898-99 the Jayhawks finished with a 7-4 record, 1905-06 they had 12 wins and 7 losses.  Naismith’s coaching tenure produced a total of 55-wins and 64 losses.      

I ain’t mad at him
By the time this is read it will be old news.  “I don’t need no big city or big lights” were the words uttered by Thunder forward Paul George.  He was referring to him spurning the Lakers and remaining in Oklahoma City.  These types of decisions by athletes belong to them alone, would I like him on the wing opposite LeBron?  It would be ridiculous for me or anyone else to come to any other conclusion.  George appears to like the area and his Thunder teammates which is okay with me.  My hope is Kawhi Leonard sticks to his statement and he wants to be a L

Mizzou
We are four months away from the calendar turning to 2019.  Mizzou has two transfers who become eligible in 2019, the school is yet to sign or receive a verbal commitment from a Class of 2019 prospect.  Rock M Nation Mizzou’s fan website indicates Mizzou has offers on the table for 13 high school seniors.  Previously it was mentioned E.J. Liddell 6-foot 7 inch forward and 6-foot 2-inch combo guard Mario McKinney will likely be a package whether it’s Mizzou or another school.  6-foot 8-inch Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is one of the two prospects Kansas and Mizzou are competing for his services. 

In a manner of speaking it’s a little difficult to discuss prospects, there are so many other schools with offers but I guess this might be a good thing in a sense.  Under former coaches Kim Anderson, Frank Haith Mizzou was hardly a blip on the radar of most prospects.  Continuous winning seasons on the court earns a school points and Mizzou is yet to reach that level.  If and that’s a mighty big If, Mizzou manages to acquire enough talent to compete the future will continue shining brightly.  Michael Porter Jr. might place a school on the map, but I rather have one or two steady talented players on my roster.  Don’t misunderstand I appreciated MPJ on the roster however you can't depend on one player to lead a team to the promised land.