Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
The best of the best
In the Kansas City Metro anytime a discussion is held regarding the top high school basketball players the same names are always at the top of the list. Jaron Rush Pembroke Hill, earlier in time was Paseo High’s Anthony Peeler. Preceding both was Warren Jabali who played at KC’s Central High in the mid 1960’s and later at Wichita State, he would become ABA Rookie of the Year in the 1968-69 season.
David Thomas PhD will present his book JABALI-A
Kansas City Legend. The book
launch and presentation will be held July 28 at KC’s Plaza Library Auditorium, 4801
Main Street KCMO 64112 the time 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. For those outside the metro you can still participate
in this event, Thomas’s book will be available for you to purchase either at a
bookstore or online. As additional
details are available, they will be shared with you.
A departure
I once wrote I don’t do salaries, and there is a clear explanation. No matter my love for sports especially basketball every professional athlete I believe is OVERPAID. I make the statement in consideration of those who educate our children, those first responders and others who often fail to receive adequate pay. This is where I’m coming from, for weeks it was mentioned the Sixers were to sign Ben Simmons to a max contract. We heard from several in sports media pointing to the negatives, “He’s got no jump shot, he doesn’t do _____well or he could improve _____.”
I once wrote I don’t do salaries, and there is a clear explanation. No matter my love for sports especially basketball every professional athlete I believe is OVERPAID. I make the statement in consideration of those who educate our children, those first responders and others who often fail to receive adequate pay. This is where I’m coming from, for weeks it was mentioned the Sixers were to sign Ben Simmons to a max contract. We heard from several in sports media pointing to the negatives, “He’s got no jump shot, he doesn’t do _____well or he could improve _____.”
Your employer decides in favor of a pay
raise for you. Another department head
in another area who may or may not be acquainted with you says no raise is due
you. The statement is made despite the
fact this person has little if any direct knowledge of your job
performance. The same holds true for us,
I wonder how Skip Bayless or Stephen A. Smith would imagine if we had input on
pay raises for them. Despite objections
by those in the media the Sixers decided to reward their point guard with a
5-year contract.
Conundrum
Dwight Howard indicates he’s open to a Laker return in free agency, amazing. He took it one step further by stating a return he includes the Clippers in the conversation. In 2012 when he arrived and joined forces with Kobe Bryant Laker Nation saw another championship. I’m not going to discuss why he left the Lakers in 2013 after but one season that ship has sailed. Since leaving the Lakers there have been numerous moves on his NBA journey.
Dwight Howard indicates he’s open to a Laker return in free agency, amazing. He took it one step further by stating a return he includes the Clippers in the conversation. In 2012 when he arrived and joined forces with Kobe Bryant Laker Nation saw another championship. I’m not going to discuss why he left the Lakers in 2013 after but one season that ship has sailed. Since leaving the Lakers there have been numerous moves on his NBA journey.
It’s been an incredible five teams in
five years, seven teams in nine years is the total number. Many of us believe
based on his play with the Magic early Howard was headed for a Hall of Fame
career. If we look at the numbers
throughout his career, they have been above average (17.4 ppg & 12.7
rebounds). He’s only 33 years old but
his best years may be in the rear-view mirror.
As for the Lakers hopefully they say no, as for the Clippers
that’s a different story.
“The World is your
oyster”
I cannot provide you any idea when I first heard the phrase. Rather than my definition let’s check out the net. It says; “You are in a position to take the opportunities that life has to offer” or “If you have lots of money you can have anything you want.” The first definition appeals to me personally, accumulating wealth can sometimes be a difficult task. The initial definition says to me you are Ja Morant, you play basketball at Murray State. You maximize your potential while enrolled leading to you becoming the second draft pick in the 2019 NBA draft. We could make the same statement regarding Steph Curry, 3-star prospect in high school.
I cannot provide you any idea when I first heard the phrase. Rather than my definition let’s check out the net. It says; “You are in a position to take the opportunities that life has to offer” or “If you have lots of money you can have anything you want.” The first definition appeals to me personally, accumulating wealth can sometimes be a difficult task. The initial definition says to me you are Ja Morant, you play basketball at Murray State. You maximize your potential while enrolled leading to you becoming the second draft pick in the 2019 NBA draft. We could make the same statement regarding Steph Curry, 3-star prospect in high school.
Who knew except Steph how good he could
become eventually as an NBA player? If
we look back in time several NBA players exceeded Morant in a sense. They were not drafted yet managed long and,
in some instances, distinguished NBA careers.
Ask older Knick fans about guard John Starks or mention the name Ben
Wallace to any member of Piston Nation.
These two and several others went un-drafted however that failed to deter
their dreams. They and others were
eventually placed in a position where they could take advantage of a lifetime
opportunity. Don’t misunderstand, an
athlete must have a degree of talent.
The simple fact on occasion it’s difficult for someone to see the “fire”
to succeed burning in you.
