Basketball from a fans perspective
Off-season?
Recently I wrote August 1 to September 1 was the slowest period to write on basketball. That’s likely true but perhaps a larger question is there an off-season in any major sport? We are in the middle of baseball season and NFL training camps are in full swing. One pre-season NFL game has already been played and more are scheduled this upcoming week. Baseballs World Series will conclude in late October even early November in the middle of the NFL regular season.
College and the NBA will have
commenced their season, both will play into early spring where the baseball
season will have begun. We once read of
former Red Sox pitcher Gene Conley, in addition to baseball Conley was a Celtic
reserve. Although the Bill Russell led
Celtics played deep into the playoffs Conley was still able to join the
pitching staff of the Red Sox by the middle of May. Of course, the NBA season at the time was much
shorter than today. I pose the question
again, is there an off-season for any sport?
His first year
Patrick Ewing is busy preparing his Georgetown Hoyas for the season. Ewing has already exceeded his former Georgetown coach in at least one area. Ewing stands 7 feet 1 inch tall, his former coach John Thompson stood 6 foot 10 inches. Ewing was an athlete first coaching the game would come later. Ewing was born in Kingston Jamaica, as a 12-year old he emigrated to Cambridge Massachusetts to join his family. His game of choice at that point was cricket and soccer, he would change to basketball and begin to develop his game.
His first year
Patrick Ewing is busy preparing his Georgetown Hoyas for the season. Ewing has already exceeded his former Georgetown coach in at least one area. Ewing stands 7 feet 1 inch tall, his former coach John Thompson stood 6 foot 10 inches. Ewing was an athlete first coaching the game would come later. Ewing was born in Kingston Jamaica, as a 12-year old he emigrated to Cambridge Massachusetts to join his family. His game of choice at that point was cricket and soccer, he would change to basketball and begin to develop his game.
We read a few local fans who
believed Ewing would play for Boston College or Boston University, they were
disappointed when he announced it was Georgetown. At Georgetown his game expanded however he
was known more for his defense. He would
become NCAA Player of the Year (1985) and was a member of the 1984 NCAA
Georgetown championship team. In the
1985 draft the Knicks made Ewing the first pick that season. Ewing would play until 2002 most of it spent
as a valued member of the Knicks. Ewing
is another double-honoree, he’s been enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball
Hall of Fame. We have no idea of
possible success at the coaching level, the college and NBA record has been
documented and it says winner.
Is he ready?
This might be a non-story by the time it’s published, center Brook Lopez is now a former Laker. Lopez signed a 1-year contract with the Bucks, the Lakers have newly acquired JaVale McGee but it’s likely he’s thought of in a reserve role. Although the pickings are slim the Lakers might make a move I’m not able to see as this is written. Nothing is ever given to you in the NBA, but it is now time for Ivac Zubac to step up. The Lakers drafted Zubac in 2016 realizing the Croatian youngster would require seasoning. He played well in his rookie year however the 7-foot center witnessed his minutes declining in year two, the question remains is he ready?
This might be a non-story by the time it’s published, center Brook Lopez is now a former Laker. Lopez signed a 1-year contract with the Bucks, the Lakers have newly acquired JaVale McGee but it’s likely he’s thought of in a reserve role. Although the pickings are slim the Lakers might make a move I’m not able to see as this is written. Nothing is ever given to you in the NBA, but it is now time for Ivac Zubac to step up. The Lakers drafted Zubac in 2016 realizing the Croatian youngster would require seasoning. He played well in his rookie year however the 7-foot center witnessed his minutes declining in year two, the question remains is he ready?
If the offense operates in
the manner I believe it’s probably not critical to have a dominant center on
the floor. As I see this issue in July
it’s imperative Zubac must enhance his floor game, he must become adept at clogging
the lane and rebounding the basketball.
With LeBron, Ball and Rondo it’s almost surely going to be pick and
roll, pick and roll offense. Zubac was
drafted under the previous front-office, the question might be does the
Magic-Plenika team feel as enthusiastic about Zubac. As this was being completed a radio host on
ESPN LA proposed rookie Moe Wagner might receive time at the center
position. Wagner drafted as a power
forward stands 7 feet and 240 pounds, depending on the match ups he might see
time as well.
Next
NBA teams’ owners or lessees continue the trend of play in new arenas. Fiserv Arena will open in 2018-19 for the Bucks and it continues a trend of new arenas for NBA teams. At this point it’s unclear if there will be a new arena opening in Los Angeles for the Clippers, below are the arenas, locations and opening dates of those just opened or pending. Madison Square Garden in New York City opened in 1968 and continues to be the oldest NBA arena in operation. MSG has under gone several makeovers in the 50 years since the doors first opened.
NBA teams’ owners or lessees continue the trend of play in new arenas. Fiserv Arena will open in 2018-19 for the Bucks and it continues a trend of new arenas for NBA teams. At this point it’s unclear if there will be a new arena opening in Los Angeles for the Clippers, below are the arenas, locations and opening dates of those just opened or pending. Madison Square Garden in New York City opened in 1968 and continues to be the oldest NBA arena in operation. MSG has under gone several makeovers in the 50 years since the doors first opened.
Golden 1 Center-Sacramento
2016
Little Caesars Arena-Detroit 2017
Fiserv Arena-Milwaukee 2018
Chase Center-San Francisco 2019
Little Caesars Arena-Detroit 2017
Fiserv Arena-Milwaukee 2018
Chase Center-San Francisco 2019
