Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Tick, tock, tick, tock
It’s clear Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had plans other than coaching the Spurs Wednesday night.  Pop was sent to the locker room 63 seconds into their game with the Nuggets.  That’s got to be a record for a player or member of a coaching staff.  Pop was trying to protect LaMarcus Aldridge who he believed Paul Milsap had fouled.  We can say one thing for sure the coach certainly protects his players. 

Building through the draft
Apparently, the number is growing smaller and smaller, those few souls who believe the NBA draft remains vital to the growth of the league.  With few exceptions if we look back over the years an increasing number of teams have won NBA championships with someone else’s players i.e. free-agents.  This is not true in all cases however it’s become more and more common.  The Sixers have made several key trades however the glue, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were draft picks. 

Other than Markelle Fultz the Sixers have been quite diligent in their effort to rebuild the team.  The injuries that sidelined Embiid and Simmons were incidental.  We could make the same statement regarding the Warriors, excepting Kevin Durant the bulk of front-line talent was acquired in the draft.  We could look at the Suns too, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton were draft picks.  The Lakers less the 2018 free-agents was also draft rich.  Julius Randle (no longer with the team), Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball all arrived via the draft.  At the barber shop recently, I ask a fellow Laker fan who they should draft.  “I don’t pay attention to the draft I’m waiting to see which free-agents they sign.” 

It’s been a bit longer   
St. Louis once served as home to the NBA too, the Hawks departed the city for Atlanta in 1968 where they have remained.  A combination of factors might have contributed to the Hawks leaving most prominent might have been the NHL Blues.  The St. Louis metro is highly populated but maybe not large enough to support two pro teams playing a winter schedule.  The Hawks were not born in the city, they moved to St. Louis in 1955 from Milwaukee. 

In 1956 a series of events would unfold which may have sealed the Hawks fate in the city.  Bill Russell was an All-American at the University of San Francisco.  Red Auerbach wanted him for his defensive prowess but there was a problem the Celtics finished too high to draft him.  The Celtics had a player at the time the Hawks desperately wanted…. a trade was made, and the rest is history.  The Hawks drafted Russell but traded his rights to the Celtics. 

Many believe racism was a contributing factor in the decision, Russell being traded for a white player.  Although the Hawks failed to see the potential of Russell, they did win the 1958 NBA championship.  History indicates the lack of an adequate arena was also a contributing factor to the eventual move to Atlanta.  The Hawks played in tiny Kiel Arena which seated only 10,000 inadequate even in the 1960’s.  The owner sold the Hawks to an Atlanta combo and the team moved to Atlanta.  Will the NBA ever return to St. Louis the question remains open.  Anytime NBA expansion or a move is mentioned the city is hardly mentioned.   

There’s been a Tacko sighting
No, not that kind of Taco I speak of UCF’s Tacko Fall.  I have debated with myself, ask others who follow the college game.  Does 7-foot 6-inch 310-pound Tacko Fall have the capability to play at the NBA level?  Over the last past four years I’ve pointed out all the deficiencies I could see in his game.  In the middle of the 2018-19 season I remained unsure and then it occurred.  Tacko had two break-out games during the NCAA tournament and that was it. 

Presto change his name pops up on two mock draft sites.  To clarify this issue a name appearing on a mock draft site is no basis for assurance, it does point out the fact the folks who put these together recognize potential.  One source indicates, “Fall would be the biggest player in the NBA.  He’s a long shot but he’ll get a look.  Could develop into a back-up center in time.”  If he should be drafted in the second round or just signs a free-agent contract he’ll provide proof once again, “you cannot teach height.”