BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
Things I’d like to see
Just because I desire change doesn’t make it happen, despite this view I do have Things I’d like to see. They are listed below however they are not in any order of importance. What are yours?
Just because I desire change doesn’t make it happen, despite this view I do have Things I’d like to see. They are listed below however they are not in any order of importance. What are yours?
*Joel Embiid-discontinue taking
3-point shots, your offensive footwork around the basket is outstanding. Your effectiveness from the 3-point line is
questionable at times. Shooting .200 for
the last 5 games is certainly not effective.
*NCAA or rather it’s leader Mark
Emmert-step up and administer college basketball in an effective manner. The penalties he intends to implement after the NCAA basketball
tournament proves money is more important than punishment.
*Boogie Cousins-return to pre-injury
form although his game plus Warrior basketball will impact my Lakers. To think I’m making this statement about a
guy I wanted the Lakers to pick up.
*Contenders-instead of pretenders in
Big 12 basketball. This is no criticism
of Kansas rather the conference which touts itself as one of the best in the
nation. It can’t be the case with Kansas
finishing in first place for the umpteen time.
*Markelle Fultz-despite what might
appear negative commentary on my part I hope he re-gains his health and is able
to contribute to the Sixers. From
stories floating about if true there are far too many negative people in his
circle.
*Cinderella-every season come
tournament time the media discusses “Cinderella” teams. Teams not expected to
advance but succeed by beating higher seeds.
Last season its Chicago Loyola, you know what I like to see? A team other than the usual win the NCAA
Tournament no Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, UConn or UCLA.
*Kansas City-a dream on my part however I’d love to see the NBA
return on a permanent basis. Doesn’t
matter, re-location or an expansion team.
I’ve already got a name, although several Jazz artists passed through
here in 1930’s Utah owns the name.
Kansas City Bar-B- Que conjures thoughts of food and not
basketball. The ABA team from 2000-2004
was nicknamed the Knights, I like that.
New York centers
7-foot 2-inch Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) was a standout high school player in New York City, in 1966 he headed west to play for UCLA. The balance of the story is known, NCAA champion, multiple NBA championships plus numerous accolades. Moses Brown was a standout high school player in New York City, in 2018 he headed west to play for UCLA. The huge difference between the two, Alcindor changed the game, as for Brown his game is not nearly as polished as Alcindor’s was.
7-foot 2-inch Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) was a standout high school player in New York City, in 1966 he headed west to play for UCLA. The balance of the story is known, NCAA champion, multiple NBA championships plus numerous accolades. Moses Brown was a standout high school player in New York City, in 2018 he headed west to play for UCLA. The huge difference between the two, Alcindor changed the game, as for Brown his game is not nearly as polished as Alcindor’s was.
During Alcindor’s time freshman were not
eligible for varsity teams but consider this.
His first game where the varsity played the freshman Alcindor had 31
points, 21 rebounds and 8 blocked shots leading his freshman team to victory. Keep in mind the varsity team was the years
previous NCAA champion. As for Brown his
numbers have been slightly lower, the 7-foot Brown is scoring at nearly 12
points and close to 10 rebounds a game. To
date I’ve only witnessed part of a game maybe UCLA Nation might have a
different view. This fan sincerely hopes
Brown doesn’t rush off to the NBA before further developing his skill.
The second city
If you’re a certain age you might believe Memphis has always been home for the Grizzlies. The team began play as an expansion franchise in Vancouver Canada in 1995, the NBA also added another Canadian city Toronto which became the Raptors. The NBA had moved once again outside the continental United States. Another bit of history, the Huskies home based in Toronto played that first season (1946) in the Basketball Association of America but lasted only one season.
If you’re a certain age you might believe Memphis has always been home for the Grizzlies. The team began play as an expansion franchise in Vancouver Canada in 1995, the NBA also added another Canadian city Toronto which became the Raptors. The NBA had moved once again outside the continental United States. Another bit of history, the Huskies home based in Toronto played that first season (1946) in the Basketball Association of America but lasted only one season.
As for expansion Vancouver the team suffered
on the court and box office too. Part of
the problem had to do with a weak Canadian dollar at the time. The NBA lockout in 1998 was the final blow to
the franchise. The team was sold to
owners in the U.S. and the team was moved to Memphis in 2001. After six seasons of struggle in Vancouver the
NBA was left with only one Canadian team.
Perhaps one day the NBA will look northward again, and Vancouver could
welcome the association again.
