Basketball from a fans perspective

Things to do in Kansas City while….

Waiting on the basketball season to begin,

The Wolves claim they ain’t trading Jimmy Butler, that’s well and good for now.  They might be forced into a “Kawhi Leonard” corner.  We shall see how this story plays out, it’s been confirmed Andrew Wiggins is the culprit in the matter.

I didn’t get the memo, there appears to be bad blood between Sixer center Joel Embid and Suns center DeAndre Ayton.  Not sure when it first surfaced or the reason for it, the latest salvo comes from Embiid.  Quote, “Ayton is about to get his ass kicked” unquote. 

Considering the events in Dallas the NBA has spoken.  Commissioner Adam Silver indicates NBA teams need to hire more women especially in leadership capacities.  He also stressed the requirement for teams to create a comfortable work environment for women.  As for the Mavs the NBA is yet to announce any penalty facing the team. 

I hope I’m not being premature here or causing him to choose another school.  Rivals 4-star guard Mario McKinney is to make his choice known on Monday.  At this point its still a guess whether he chooses Mizzou.  If McKinney choses Mizzou, his buddy forward E.J. Lindell also a Rivals 4-star prospect could pick Mizzou too, I’m holding my breath on both athletes. 

We have a few brother combos in the collegiate ranks.  You were probably familiar with all but just a reminder we have the Miller brothers, Sean serves as head coach at Arizona and younger brother Archie at Indiana.  How about the Hurley’s, Bobby at Arizona State and brother Dan who begins his first year at UConn.  We close with the Drew brothers, Bryce at Vanderbilt and Scott at Baylor. 

“The Great White Hope”
African-American Jack Johnson won the heavyweight boxing championship in 1908.  It was reported a search was conducted to uncover a white contender for the crown.  The racial climate of the period made many uncomfortable knowing a black man held the heavyweight championship.  Segregation in the nation caused blacks to be excluded from professional baseball, football and other sports.  Although exceptions existed particularly in the north for the most part blacks could not attend and certainly could not play sports.  Over the last 60+ years civil and social change has witnessed significant transformation.  

As for basketball an increasing number of black athletes have matriculated into colleges and the NBA.  No figures were available for college as for the NBA the league is now comprised of nearly 80% black athletes.  Is race still a factor regarding the game today?  There is no one response that is adequate let’s just say any backlash might not be quite as visible as it once might have been.  Although the NBA has led the way among sports in hiring and diversity this has not always existed.  In the 1950’s teams could only contain a limited number of black players, in addition there were no black reserves.  Black players on NBA rosters during this period were starters. 

This is a tale…. most of us are aware
LiAngelo Ball had two chances slim and none and slim just left town.  That’s the fate of the middle son of LaVar Ball.  The Ball family continues to make news be it of the negative variety.  Most of us read weeks ago LiAngelo’s agent indicated it was unlikely he’d be drafted.  NBA teams sign several players to Summer League contracts, 99% of them fail to make the big team. 

Let’s place that statement in perspective they are not expected to make the big-league roster.  These players are signed to ensure the team has an adequate number of players.  With that long drawn out explanation allow me to add LiAngelo was not picked up by ANY NBA team.  I certainly am not able to peer into the future, but I wonder.  I wonder if zealous LaVar Ball will be the downfall of his middle and youngest son not having a basketball future.  We’d read several years ago prior to UCLA the middle son might be the least talented of the brother.