BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
Bits n Pieces
The “new” New York Knicks make a move, the front office decided against signing Kristaps Porzingis to an extension. He would become a restricted free agent in 2019, there is a method to their apparent madness. This move along with releasing Joakim Noah will allow them plenty of $$ to offer 2019 free-agents. The only downside Porzingis would be eligible to sign with another team however the Knicks could match that offer. Some might question the move, but it makes sense on several levels, Porzingis will likely not play until the first of the year anyway.
If you are under age 50 the name Doris
Day might be unfamiliar. The veteran
entertainer is now 98-years old now probably rarely seen in public
anymore. She began her show business
career as a singer in the 1940’s moved into starring roles in a number of ‘50’s
movie, later in the ‘70’s she had a long-running television series. What does this have to do with basketball you
might ask? It was Doris Day and not
Jack, you thought Nicholson was the first Hollywood celebrity to be spotted at
Laker games. After the Lakers arrived in
1961 from Minneapolis she would often be spotted at Laker games.
Remember the story of Markelle Fultz,
the coach had pronounced him the starter over J.J. Redick. The came word Tuesday afternoon before the
match against the Celtics came this news.
Fultz would indeed be the starter however Redick would start the second
half. Are you confused, so am I the
issue of starter versus reserve doesn’t make a great deal of sense to me. This move could fracture the psyche of
youngster Fultz. What do I know, I have
no idea what Fultz might be thinking?
Louisville basketball
Any discussion regarding Louisville basketball is likely to be 90% positive, the 10% negative might represent the last 5-7 years. Several embarrassing issues caused an undesirable eye to be cast toward the Kentucky school by many. No requirement for me to re-hash the story most are familiar with, the better question where does Louisville go from here? The administration began the healing process on March 27, 2018 by hiring Chris Mack from Xavier to head the basketball program. A few might be unfamiliar with Mack’s name however he’s been one of the most successful coaches in the college ranks over the last 5 years or so.
Any discussion regarding Louisville basketball is likely to be 90% positive, the 10% negative might represent the last 5-7 years. Several embarrassing issues caused an undesirable eye to be cast toward the Kentucky school by many. No requirement for me to re-hash the story most are familiar with, the better question where does Louisville go from here? The administration began the healing process on March 27, 2018 by hiring Chris Mack from Xavier to head the basketball program. A few might be unfamiliar with Mack’s name however he’s been one of the most successful coaches in the college ranks over the last 5 years or so.
Mack’s Xavier team was 29-6 last season
making it to the second round of the NCAA tournament, the previous year it was
the Elite Eight. Mack began his coaching
career as an assistant at Xavier then moved to Wake Forest in the same
capacity. He returned to Xavier in 2004
and took over as head coach in 2009. His
overall record 215-97 and 105-49 in the Atlantic 10 and Big East, Xavier changed
conferences while he served as head coach.
How do you continue winning, you hire a winning coach and that’s what
Mack has been over his tenure? Louisville
needed a coach squeaky clean after the improprieties of the previous coaching
staff.
Warren (Armstrong) Jabali
He was profiled briefly during a portion of ESPN's Basketball: A Love Story. It doesn’t matter the age, you could be 20 something or in your 60’s. Anytime a discussion centers on the best high school basketball player in the KC Metro the same name is always mentioned. He was Warren Armstrong at the time he played for Central High School, he stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and was a rock solid 205 pounds. The stuff he did in high school is legendary, certainly every player with great leaping ability can do some of the things many witnessed. Once during a game an opposing player was dribbling down the court for an apparent fast break lay-up, Armstrong trailing behind was saying no way. The ball was laid up on the backboard and Armstrong went up and pinned the ball on the board. We’ve seen LeBron James and others do the same thing over the years, but Armstrong did this in a high school game in 1963.
Warren (Armstrong) Jabali
He was profiled briefly during a portion of ESPN's Basketball: A Love Story. It doesn’t matter the age, you could be 20 something or in your 60’s. Anytime a discussion centers on the best high school basketball player in the KC Metro the same name is always mentioned. He was Warren Armstrong at the time he played for Central High School, he stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and was a rock solid 205 pounds. The stuff he did in high school is legendary, certainly every player with great leaping ability can do some of the things many witnessed. Once during a game an opposing player was dribbling down the court for an apparent fast break lay-up, Armstrong trailing behind was saying no way. The ball was laid up on the backboard and Armstrong went up and pinned the ball on the board. We’ve seen LeBron James and others do the same thing over the years, but Armstrong did this in a high school game in 1963.
Armstrong would go on to play at Wichita
State and in 1968 the NBA Knicks drafted him but there were issues with Red
Holtzman then coaching the team. Armstrong
decided in favor of the start-up American Basketball Association Oakland
Oaks. How good was he that rookie year,
good enough to be named ABA Rookie of the Year in 1969? Nagging injuries would limit his play and he
retired in 1975, his career numbers 17.1 ppg and 6.7 rebounds along with 5.3
assists per game. He would change his
name to Jabali and many believed he’d become Muslim, not true Jabali is Swahili
for “The Rock.” That’s what he was,
fiery and would fight at any point, it was a different time, and many believed
he didn’t like white people. Warren
Jabali was not going to allow anyone to disrespect him. After retirement he settled in Miami Florida,
in 2012 he died far too young after experiencing heart problems. Another salute to Warren Jabali the best high school player to emerge from the Kansas City Metro.
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