Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
Bits n Pieces
The trade of Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul sent a seismic wave throughout the NBA. Now we are hearing Paul might not be long for OKC, he might be on the move to Miami or elsewhere. If you read the same account as me one of the considerations for the Paul trade was the Rockets wanted relief from his huge contract. It might be extremely difficult to move Paul; on the other hand, I try to never say never.
Few of us have seen
James Wiseman in action, even fewer might be familiar with his name. He’s a 7-foot 1-inch power forward/center and
an incoming freshman at Memphis. How
good is he, well nbadraftroom.com projects him as the number one draft choice in
2020? Is he ready for the rigors of the
NBA, his freshman season will certainly determine that fact?
I admit I’ve been
disappointed with NBA Summer League basketball.
In all honesty it was hoped Ja Morant and Zion Williamson would be in
action. Morant never suited up period
due to injury, Zion played a single game before he too sat down. We guess it’s just as well, they both can
began preparations for the rigorous NBA season.
I can state I’ve been impressed with two Celtics the diminutive Carsen
Edwards and the colossus that is Tacko Fall.
Nerlens Noel and
Marcus Morris fired agent Rich Paul; this is news why? The question is posed because athletes change
representation occasionally this is certainly nothing new. As they might say, “nothing to see here, move
on might be the next statement.” Oh, we figured
it out, Paul is the agent for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and we guess this
makes the story news.
Trust me
Anytime someone you don’t know says “trust me” you immediately become suspicious. Well that’s the case here, 99 and ¾% of you have no idea who I am but I too say it…. trust me. My first visit to the barber shop after free agency was not particularly noteworthy. The shop was empty except for the two barbers and three patrons when I arrived. I took my seat waiting for my barber to finish the man in his chair.
Anytime someone you don’t know says “trust me” you immediately become suspicious. Well that’s the case here, 99 and ¾% of you have no idea who I am but I too say it…. trust me. My first visit to the barber shop after free agency was not particularly noteworthy. The shop was empty except for the two barbers and three patrons when I arrived. I took my seat waiting for my barber to finish the man in his chair.
One older patron finally
spoke up and began a discussion on the Lakers.
He made a comical remark indicating he’d heard the Lakers had signed
Patrick Mahomes. I chimed in, “Did you
see the video of him tossing a football out of Arrowhead Stadium? What an arm, I’m sure he could play the point
with accuracy.” Finally, the customer said
it, “The Clippers ain’t gonna win anything, (laughing) they are the
Clippers. Kawhi Leonard is going to miss
games and Paul George is recovering from shoulder surgery right now.”
Silver and Black
The Spurs garb is the same as the NFL Raiders, the football team’s image never corresponded to that of the Spurs. The football team once a prime contender has sunk considerably in recent years, the NBA Spurs move through the waters of the NBA smoothly. They are like ducks, on top of the water they appear navigating choppy waters, beneath water level they are paddling like mad. One constant during the last 23 years of Spurs play is the head coach Gregg Popovich. Over the years we’ve seen David Robinson depart, Tim Duncan leave and Manu Ginobili finish careers, yet the 70-year old “Pop” continues at the helm.
The Spurs garb is the same as the NFL Raiders, the football team’s image never corresponded to that of the Spurs. The football team once a prime contender has sunk considerably in recent years, the NBA Spurs move through the waters of the NBA smoothly. They are like ducks, on top of the water they appear navigating choppy waters, beneath water level they are paddling like mad. One constant during the last 23 years of Spurs play is the head coach Gregg Popovich. Over the years we’ve seen David Robinson depart, Tim Duncan leave and Manu Ginobili finish careers, yet the 70-year old “Pop” continues at the helm.
Although Pop often
appears passive, he’s passionate about the game which has meant so much to him
and Spurs Nation. Last season’s team won
48 games and earned a playoff berth not an unusual finish for a Spurs
team. What about the upcoming NBA season
you might ask? The franchise due to its
winning record never drafts lottery prospects, they have drafted wisely in the
mid to late first round every season.
The Spurs have always scouted extensively in Europe and discovered a
“Tony Parker” or other prospects. The
same for the two first round and single second round choice in 2019. Can they play, we don’t know however I wouldn’t
count on them contributing.
Is it time for a
change?
He must not be having much fun anymore, that might be Thunder coach Billy Donovan. We’ve read two different websites with the same story “Is it time for him to return to the collegiate game.” Donovan is the only one to answer the question, but it is interesting.
He tasted success from 1996-2015 while head coach at Florida guiding the program to 467 wins and two NCAA championships. His last Florida team compiled a losing record the first for him since his second season at the helm. Was that a basis for Donovan leaving for the NBA, April 13, 2015 he agreed to take over the reins of the Thunder. His Thunder team has certainly been successful although not advancing very far in the playoffs. Will Donovan return to the college game, only he can answer that question?
He must not be having much fun anymore, that might be Thunder coach Billy Donovan. We’ve read two different websites with the same story “Is it time for him to return to the collegiate game.” Donovan is the only one to answer the question, but it is interesting.
He tasted success from 1996-2015 while head coach at Florida guiding the program to 467 wins and two NCAA championships. His last Florida team compiled a losing record the first for him since his second season at the helm. Was that a basis for Donovan leaving for the NBA, April 13, 2015 he agreed to take over the reins of the Thunder. His Thunder team has certainly been successful although not advancing very far in the playoffs. Will Donovan return to the college game, only he can answer that question?
