BASKETBALL FROM A FANS
PERSPECTIVE
New York City & UCLA basketball
Moses Brown grew over the summer, he now stands 7 feet 2 inches and weighs a solid 250 pounds. This native New Yorker and McDonalds All-American headed west to attend UCLA. Hmmmm, wonder if that’s occurred somewhere in the past, a giant basketball player at UCLA from the east coast? Yes, what was the name, I think it might have been Lew Alcindor yes, that was the name, he would lead UCLA to greatness on the court winning multiple NCAA championships.
Moses Brown grew over the summer, he now stands 7 feet 2 inches and weighs a solid 250 pounds. This native New Yorker and McDonalds All-American headed west to attend UCLA. Hmmmm, wonder if that’s occurred somewhere in the past, a giant basketball player at UCLA from the east coast? Yes, what was the name, I think it might have been Lew Alcindor yes, that was the name, he would lead UCLA to greatness on the court winning multiple NCAA championships.
After college he was drafted by the NBA
Bucks, later he would become a Muslim and change his birth name to Kareem Abdul
Jabbar. Folks you realize I was joking
about the New York City history however please note I’m not predicting an
All-American nor NBA career for Brown.
It is interesting two 7-foot athletes from New York City generations
apart playing for UCLA. Brown chose UCLA
over Maryland, Florida State and Kentucky, it’s hoped this Rivals 5-star
prospect will lead the school deep into NCAA Tournament play. If Brown proves he’s got talent for the next
level don’t expect him to remain in school as Alcindor did, it was a different
basketball world in 1969 versus the present day.
The trial is about to end with a clunk!
Several of you might not agree with the headline, it simply implies there is no over whelming evidence presented thus far any head coach was directly involved in play for pay scheme existing in college basketball. Bill Self, Sean Miller and maybe some other names have been tossed out as evidence but what has been presented to date is a dud. About 1-year ago headlines proclaimed there was much cheating, improprieties and illegal recruiting going on in college basketball. During this trial there have been issues covered which are embarrassing to the schools and their administration and need to be fully addressed but how? Here’s the takeaway for me, if Adidas gave daddy money the son and the head college coach is unaware who is really the guilty part?
The trial is about to end with a clunk!
Several of you might not agree with the headline, it simply implies there is no over whelming evidence presented thus far any head coach was directly involved in play for pay scheme existing in college basketball. Bill Self, Sean Miller and maybe some other names have been tossed out as evidence but what has been presented to date is a dud. About 1-year ago headlines proclaimed there was much cheating, improprieties and illegal recruiting going on in college basketball. During this trial there have been issues covered which are embarrassing to the schools and their administration and need to be fully addressed but how? Here’s the takeaway for me, if Adidas gave daddy money the son and the head college coach is unaware who is really the guilty part?
Several of the coaches mentioned have
multi-million-dollar salaries, you risk termination over $35,000-$40,000 for an
athlete? This trial involved shoe companies
their agents, prospect families and assistant coaches is all that’s been proven
to date, if you say Bill Self was aware of this activity prove it. Mentioned a few high-profile coaches’ names by
the defense proves nothing. I’ve not
read anything to date confirming possible guilt other than the agents, a few
family members. Don’t misunderstand
there is a problem nobody escapes with no penalties at all. The trial has served a purpose however it’s
not been able to address the root cause of illegal recruiting. Who responsibility is that, the universities,
the athletic department or the NCAA?
The real culprit
Now we know who to blame…. it’s the Pacers. If you remember the recent story Laker owner Jeanie Buss expressed her disappointment in that Paul George never met with Laker management. George now claims a meeting never occurred because he didn’t intend to sign with the Lakers. This is the portion most interesting, George a southern California guy claims he was headed to the Lakers until the Pacers traded him. Once he arrived in Oklahoma City he says the area plus teammate Russell Westbrook triggered him to change his mind about the Lakers. That’s all good, I had no proof but seriously doubted he was headed to the Lakers after a point. Perhaps Pacer fans are knowledgeable as to why George wanted to leave Indiana, I imagine most NBA fans didn’t know. If this sounds like sour grapes coming from Larry Laker that is not the case. If George is a happy man so am I, I’m sure most of Laker Nation is too.
The real culprit
Now we know who to blame…. it’s the Pacers. If you remember the recent story Laker owner Jeanie Buss expressed her disappointment in that Paul George never met with Laker management. George now claims a meeting never occurred because he didn’t intend to sign with the Lakers. This is the portion most interesting, George a southern California guy claims he was headed to the Lakers until the Pacers traded him. Once he arrived in Oklahoma City he says the area plus teammate Russell Westbrook triggered him to change his mind about the Lakers. That’s all good, I had no proof but seriously doubted he was headed to the Lakers after a point. Perhaps Pacer fans are knowledgeable as to why George wanted to leave Indiana, I imagine most NBA fans didn’t know. If this sounds like sour grapes coming from Larry Laker that is not the case. If George is a happy man so am I, I’m sure most of Laker Nation is too.
I just couldn’t do it
I was really looking forward to seeing the match between the Mavs Luka Doncic and DeAndre Ayton of the Suns. Unfortunately, West Coast games kill me anymore, I just can’t stay up especially if I must work the next day. That was the case Wednesday evening with the game, a Pacific Time Zone Game versus a Midwest Time Zone body, mine. Two highly touted rookies facing one another for the first time. This is certainly nowhere close to be a first-hand account of the game it’s barely a first half report.
I was really looking forward to seeing the match between the Mavs Luka Doncic and DeAndre Ayton of the Suns. Unfortunately, West Coast games kill me anymore, I just can’t stay up especially if I must work the next day. That was the case Wednesday evening with the game, a Pacific Time Zone Game versus a Midwest Time Zone body, mine. Two highly touted rookies facing one another for the first time. This is certainly nowhere close to be a first-hand account of the game it’s barely a first half report.
In any event I was struck by the comment
regarding Ayton, “David Robinson with a
jump shot.” I remember Robinson and
the 7-foot center had a pretty good jump shot.
In any event the Suns won 121-100, Doncic in 32 minutes 5 of 16 from the
floor with 10 points and 8 rebounds, 4 assists.
As for Ayton it was 36 minutes, 8 for 11 from the floor 18 points 10
rebounds and 6 assists. As for the two
I’m sure both were nervous at the start of the game. Hopefully the re-match will be available in
Dallas the same time zone as Kansas City.
That should allow me to see the game in its entirety I hope.
