Basketball from a fans perspective

“The Buck Stops Here”
The late President Harry Truman’s desk in the White House contained a sign reading, “The Buck Stops Here.”  The intent was to point out “the responsibility for something cannot or should not be passed to someone else.”  In other words, no excuse should be offered, you take charge.  The news from Dallas is significant in its assessment.  An NBA investigation uncovered a climate of sexual harassment within the Mavs organization over a 10-year period.  Considering the Me-Too movement and the fact the NBA’s public persona details diversity and gender hiring practices, this issue shines a negative light on the league. 

Owner Mark Cuban was not involved however three high profile employees’ actions have been called into question, the owner was aware of civil charges against one of them.  Cuban hasn’t ducked the issue, he’s appeared on television and indicated this is his fault.  It’s never good to just toss money at an organization but that’s what Cuban’s done, $10 million has been donated to various women’s organizations throughout the country.  The NBA needs to act too, Donald Sterling was made to sell the Clippers due to his conduct.  I’m not suggesting Cuban be forced to sell the team or anything that drastic however he cannot or should not escape any type of penalty the NBA should impose.     

Enticement
Allow me to state this up front, sports columnist, analyst, author, and podcaster Bill Simmons has never been one of my favorites reporting or discussing the NBA.  I don’t agree with many of his opinions and this latest one makes no sense whatsoever.  Simmons claims “LaVar Ball was paid hush money to stay quiet about LeBron James and the Lakers”.  The critical remarks Ball made about LeBron James have ceased and this is the basis for the Simmons assertion.  Exactly what person or persons payed Ball was never made clear as part of the interview.  I have a response for Simmons, “I’m from Missouri you’ve got to Show Me

ClutchPoints

Size 22
Bob Lanier wears a size 22 shoe, it was the largest shoe Converse manufactured at the time.  Much later Shaquille O’Neal would arrive in the NBA wearing the same size.  As for Lanier he arrived in the NBA from St. Bonaventure in 1970, he arrived at a time the NBA was ripe with dominant centers.  Nightly battles with Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Dave Cowens, Bill Walton and others and Lanier held his own against these adversaries. 

The 6-foot 10-inch Lanier was made the first pick in the 1970 draft by the Pistons, he would spend the bulk of his career with the Pistons and closed out his career as a member of the Bucks.  Lanier is another honoree having been enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame.  In addition to owning his own company since his retirement Lanier has served as Good Will Ambassador the NBA throughout the world.  

Fiserv Arena

The Bucks moved into their brand-new arena Fiserv this season, other than this move, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is there any other news to excite Bucks fans?  The saying goes, “Fear the Deer” the question becomes does this team as composed strike fear in the opposition?  Before I go very much further I must admit other than the “Greek Freak” the Bucks have been invisible on my radar.  The Bucks finished 3rd in the Central Division with a 44-38 record earning a playoff berth.  With the 17th pick in the first round they chose Donte DiVincenzo from Villanova, the 6-foot 5-inch guard had an outstanding NCAA appearance.  

DiVincenzo becomes their only pick, they had none in the second round.  radarThe Bucks finished 3^rd in the Central Division with a 44-38 record earning a playoff berth.  With the 17^th pick in the first round they chose Donte DiVincenzo from Villanova, the 6-foot 5-inch guard had an outstanding NCAA appearance.  He would become their only pick, they had none in the second round.  The other issue attracting free agents, the Bucks are one of the teams that has difficulty attracting free-agents.  Where does this leave the team leading into the 2018-19 season?  Unless a Thon Maker or Tony Snell plays beyond our comprehension pencil in the Bucks for a playoff slot, championship contender not there yet.