Basketball from a fans perspective
I’m not exactly surprised
Former ESPN personality, columnist, analyst and author Bill Simmons has once again provided us insight into his thoughts. His latest revelation for all, “LeBron will win 0 championships as a member of the Lakers.” I forgot to add to additional notes, “Laker Hater” and Celtics season- ticket holder. Why should anybody (like me) familiar with Bill Simmons expect him to change. It’s possible he could be correct but to hear this from a and noted Laker hater…. well you see where I’m going. If Simmons had some credibility with me I might take his comment to heart, it’s difficult for me to take anything from a Laker hater with any degree of significance.
Geography
What is geography, this is a definition I located “Geography is a science that deals with Earth's surface”. Sounds simple enough the layout of the land might also be considered a description. In college especially, basketball geography is no longer an important key. Perhaps back in the day teams traveling by bus or train close by proximity to another rival was an important consideration. Teams now travel by air, geography has become less essential. This was prompted by a recent discussion on Mizzou and it’s move to the SEC. I said, “Missouri has a border with Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky all SEC schools as for the others not so much.”
What is geography, this is a definition I located “Geography is a science that deals with Earth's surface”. Sounds simple enough the layout of the land might also be considered a description. In college especially, basketball geography is no longer an important key. Perhaps back in the day teams traveling by bus or train close by proximity to another rival was an important consideration. Teams now travel by air, geography has become less essential. This was prompted by a recent discussion on Mizzou and it’s move to the SEC. I said, “Missouri has a border with Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky all SEC schools as for the others not so much.”
My friend said, “It would seem the Big 10 would be a better fit because
none of the schools are located in the southern region of the nation.” In recent years several schools have moved
too, they made the move without geographical considerations. The Big 12 conference with a mix of Midwest
and Texas schools includes easterly West Virginia. The Western Athletic Conference might appear
to be the most confused of all with Midwest Chicago State and UMKC as
members. Butler, DePaul and Marquette all
Midwest schools in the Big East Conference.
Notre Dame, Syracuse and Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference,
none of those schools are near the Atlantic Coast. Oh well, it’s confusing and over the next
several years might become even more so.
David West
The last two seasons we’ve witnessed David West in a reserve role for the Warriors. West retired after a 15-year career the bulk of his career with the Hornets (Pelicans) franchise. West from Xavier was the 18th pick in the first round of the 2003 draft. West is not headed to the Hall of Fame however he’s just one of those guys who made each team he played for better. No need to detail the numbers let’s just say they are good. A salute to David West a good player and maybe a greater teammate. He was able to retire with two championship rings a feat many NBA players have been unable to accomplish.
David West
The last two seasons we’ve witnessed David West in a reserve role for the Warriors. West retired after a 15-year career the bulk of his career with the Hornets (Pelicans) franchise. West from Xavier was the 18th pick in the first round of the 2003 draft. West is not headed to the Hall of Fame however he’s just one of those guys who made each team he played for better. No need to detail the numbers let’s just say they are good. A salute to David West a good player and maybe a greater teammate. He was able to retire with two championship rings a feat many NBA players have been unable to accomplish.
The NBA’s “Colin
Kaepernick”
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick claims he’s been banned by the league due to his social position. I wondered if any NBA players faced a similar fate, research revealed an interesting history which I hope provides a degree of insight. There were 8 players implicated in a 1951 college betting scandal that were permanently banned from NBA play. Connie Hawkins and Rodger Brown were banned after a similar 1960 scandal, years later Hawkins through his legal team file suit against the NBA and won.
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick claims he’s been banned by the league due to his social position. I wondered if any NBA players faced a similar fate, research revealed an interesting history which I hope provides a degree of insight. There were 8 players implicated in a 1951 college betting scandal that were permanently banned from NBA play. Connie Hawkins and Rodger Brown were banned after a similar 1960 scandal, years later Hawkins through his legal team file suit against the NBA and won.
The Hawk arrived in the NBA as a 27-year old
rookie, Brown became a star for the Pacers in the ABA but never appeared in the
NBA. Since 1986 several players have
faced life-time bans for drug related issues, the majority after some years
have been reinstated. I found it quite
interesting one of the last individuals to receive a life-time ban was former
Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
Former Bucks guard O.J. Mayo is currently on
the list although he is eligible to return to the NBA. Although this former players name is missing
from the list he must be mentioned, I’m referring to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf a.k.a. Chris Jackson. “Abdul-Rauf sparked controversy for refusing
to stand for the national anthem and calling the flag of the United States a
symbol of oppression.” He claims to this
very day he was “black-balled” by NBA owners who refused to sign him, he left
his last NBA team in 2001.
Wikipedia
