BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
He needs to do a better job
If you read the Monday edition of Words, I reported the fan who confronted Knicks owner James Dolan. I was half-joking about freedom of speech however there is an issue here. Since the incident we read Dolan has gone on talk radio defending himself. If I’m the Knick fan I wouldn’t have confronted the owner by shouting “Sell the team.” At the same time, we don’t know this to be fact however if Dolan is the man behind the curtain, he needs to relinquish his role.
If you read the Monday edition of Words, I reported the fan who confronted Knicks owner James Dolan. I was half-joking about freedom of speech however there is an issue here. Since the incident we read Dolan has gone on talk radio defending himself. If I’m the Knick fan I wouldn’t have confronted the owner by shouting “Sell the team.” At the same time, we don’t know this to be fact however if Dolan is the man behind the curtain, he needs to relinquish his role.
Dolan needs to allow basketball people to
run the team. We can look at the Cowboys
owner Jerry Jones who runs everything, he and others love to refer to the
Cowboys as “America’s Team.” When’s the last time America’s team has
played in the Super Bowl? In closing I
echo the fans view, Dolan needs to sell the team. According to Forbes the Knicks are the top
team in the NBA worth a hefty $4 billion, Dolan purchased the Knicks and
assorted holding companies in 1997. The
purchase price was $300 million, Dolan could sell the team and come out on the
other side of a hefty profit.
Lottery bound…. again
My Lakers are headed for the lottery for the....I've lost track ot the number. I can state with conviction this season ending finish is certainly not what I anticipated. Who do the Lakers choose if the season ended today, they would be drafting in the 14 position? We can agree it’s often difficult to draft talent especially many of the one and done group of players. Talent at the collegiate level can be misjudged the same can be said for Euro talent. Drafting in the 14 position “you better have your ducks in a row.”
My Lakers are headed for the lottery for the....I've lost track ot the number. I can state with conviction this season ending finish is certainly not what I anticipated. Who do the Lakers choose if the season ended today, they would be drafting in the 14 position? We can agree it’s often difficult to draft talent especially many of the one and done group of players. Talent at the collegiate level can be misjudged the same can be said for Euro talent. Drafting in the 14 position “you better have your ducks in a row.”
We believe Zion Williamson of Duke is a
stud, excluding him many of the others we think have NBA talent, but it must be
developed. This is what I believe will
occur, Laker management will have a list of names on draft night. As indicated the Lakers cannot hope to draft
Ja Morant of Murray State or R.J. Barrett of Duke, those two and several others
will be long gone by the time the Lakers pick is announced. In my view this draft is critical, this is no
time to choose someone who will sit for 3-4 years. The clock is ticking Magic, Rob I hope you
can hear me.
Best of the best
The 3-point shot, and the ascent of the Warriors has witnessed center play in the NBA become less relevant than it was back in the day. It’s generally conceded Joel Embiid is at the top of everyone’s list. Although he slides over to the four position at times Anthony Davis is number two among NBA centers. We have the one and two how about number three, a surprise many including NBA.com consider Denver’s Nicola Jokic to be that man.
The 3-point shot, and the ascent of the Warriors has witnessed center play in the NBA become less relevant than it was back in the day. It’s generally conceded Joel Embiid is at the top of everyone’s list. Although he slides over to the four position at times Anthony Davis is number two among NBA centers. We have the one and two how about number three, a surprise many including NBA.com consider Denver’s Nicola Jokic to be that man.
Jokic from Serbia is now in his 4th
year and has clearly established himself a stalwart in the Nuggets defense and
offensive schemes. The 7-foot 250-pound Jokic
has 3-point range and is currently shooting 32% behind the line. Unlike most big men his size he’s outstanding
from the free-throw line shooting 83%.
Next time you get into a discussion on current big men in the NBA don’t
leave out Nicola Jokic in the conversation.
This is interesting on
several levels
The financial magazine Forbes published a story many of us might find difficult to believe. Forbes claims Louisville basketball was more profitable than three NBA teams. In 2018 the school finished $23 million in profit more than the income of the Cavs, Thunder and Hornets. That’s downright shocking, shock number two, the Louisville financial picture was above that of cross-state rival Kentucky. Kentucky might lead the state in popularity however they are second to Louisville in profit.
The financial magazine Forbes published a story many of us might find difficult to believe. Forbes claims Louisville basketball was more profitable than three NBA teams. In 2018 the school finished $23 million in profit more than the income of the Cavs, Thunder and Hornets. That’s downright shocking, shock number two, the Louisville financial picture was above that of cross-state rival Kentucky. Kentucky might lead the state in popularity however they are second to Louisville in profit.
