Basketball from a fan’s perspective

An injury
I’ve developed a back problem recently, it’s not serious enough for anyone to notice or one that requires surgery.  Therapy and massage tend to help me but truth be told my wife at times is thinking; “I wonder if he’s hurting as bad as he makes it out to be.”  It’s difficult at times for outsiders to see our suffering unless we are in a hospital or at home in bed.  I say that to say we have no idea how seriously Kevin Durant is suffering. 

We can speculate all day long, but it really serves no purpose other than discussion.  This next portion is addressed to Warrior fans; injuries remain a key to victory it’s always a hope that a reserve player will rise to the occasion and the All-Star caliber player won’t be missed.  At the same time, we must take into consideration the reserve is just that, he’s not as good as the player who carries out the bulk of minutes.  NOTE:  As this was completed late word arrived indicating KD might play in Game Five.   

Size 22

I read Tacko Fall wears a size 22 shoe, I presume if you stand 7 feet 7 inches you’ve got to have huge feet.  How about other NBA players past and present?  Bob Lanier a former NBA player also wore a 22, the joke was “He came on the court and 15 minutes later the rest of his body arrived.”  At the time Shaquille O’Neal first arrived in the NBA (also size 22) he wore Reebok shoes.  I remember the shoe store at the mall had a Reebok display situated at the front of the store. 

I’m sure they did this on purpose to attract someone like me.  I walked into the store with no intention to make a purchase I had to inspect that size 22 up close.  I picked up this humongous shoe and placed my hand and arm in the shoe up to my elbow.  I’m not a big guy by any means but thought “This is totally amazing.”  The Lopez twins, Brook and Robin stand 7 feet tall and sport a size 20 shoe.  As for other players despite standing 7 feet 6 inches Yao Ming only wore a size 18, 7-foot Joel Embiid’s foot is even “smaller” he wears a 17. 

He stands out 
Chuck Cooper is not in either Hall of Fame, he only averaged 7 points and 6 rebounds a game during his NBA career.  Cooper wasn’t the first African American to play in the NBA but the first one to be drafted.  In 1950 Celtics owner Walter A. Brown made Cooper the 14^th pick in the second round of the draft.  He played four years with the Celtics and was traded to the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks.  1956 would be his last season playing for the Ft. Wayne (Detroit) Pistons. 

Cooper began his college basketball career playing for West Virginia State, but World War II would interrupt, he was drafted into military service.  At the end of the war he finished his education at Duquesne University.  After retirement from the game he returned to school graduating with a master’s degree in social work.  Cooper served for a time as director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Pittsburgh, he died in 1984 at the age of 57 from liver cancer.  Chuck Cooper his numbers are not eye-popping, but his accomplishment should not be overlooked in the history of the NBA.   

Is this a change?
R.J. Hampton fooled all of us except his family members.  Instead of choosing college he preferred to jump-start his NBA career by playing professionally in New Zealand.   The question was posed will this begin a trend, although talk is moving in the direction of repeal currently One and Done still rules.  Hampton’s move is highly unlikely to bring about wholesale change. 

Hampton’s parents are packing their belongings preparing to move with him.  The question might be how many parents are willing to undertake such a journey.  That in my view is the chief reason little change will occur with present rules remaining in place.  Even in a shortened pro season like the National Basketball League has got to be an advantage to an aspiring NBA player.  Anything’s possible however the status quo will remain in effect in my view.