Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Words of Wisdom
The quote below is from former NBA player Kendrick Perkins, it covers Carmelo Anthony and his lack of an NBA team. I wanted to ensure it was complete rather than simply to paraphrase it.
“Listen I agree Melo should be in league on
somebody roster for damn show, but he needs to follow in Vince Carter
footsteps, because when Vince knew he wasn’t that dude no more he embraced a
lesser role with open arms and now he’s 42 years old and about to play his 22nd
season.”
Overlook the grammar, pay attention to the
words of Perkins. This is a sharp rebuttal
to the words of Royce White on Friday and the subject of Carmelo Anthony. As I indicated yesterday if LeBron wanted
Carmelo on the team, I’m sure he’d be there.
It’s clear either that’s no longer the desire of LeBron or Laker
management has no desire to sign him.
On No!
Could it be, I hope not! On the other hand, Larry Laker is not part of the Laker brain trust. We are reading “The Lakers are looking at Dwight Howard,” I hope it’s the other way around “Howard is looking at the Lakers.” The last time Howard was in Southern Cal he went riding off into the sunset, some say it was Kobe’s fault while others believe it was a whole other thing. Whatever the case Howard did not endear himself to Laker Nation, but things have changed…maybe.
Could it be, I hope not! On the other hand, Larry Laker is not part of the Laker brain trust. We are reading “The Lakers are looking at Dwight Howard,” I hope it’s the other way around “Howard is looking at the Lakers.” The last time Howard was in Southern Cal he went riding off into the sunset, some say it was Kobe’s fault while others believe it was a whole other thing. Whatever the case Howard did not endear himself to Laker Nation, but things have changed…maybe.
He is on the downhill side of what should
have been a Hall of Fame career. It’s
been stated previously his early years with the Magic were outstanding. What transpired with his career you ask, we
could say a bunch of stuff which included front office people, coaches,
teammates named Kobe and injuries.
Injuries certainly played a key role but so did his head. Howard drifted from team to team after
leaving the Lakers, he never seems to stick with one team more than two seasons.
Is Larry Laker ready to forgive you
ask? In a reserve role and vet minimum in
addition a 1-year contract I could see Howard returning to Staples Center. On the other hand, Joakim Noah might be a
better fit, he lacks the offensive game of Howard but does other things much
better. We are talking a reserve role so
neither will be required to play major minutes.
NOTE: Despite my concerns
the Lakers decided in favor of Howard.
The offense he brings to the game would certainly be above Joakim Noah,
it’s the other things that concern me.
The mystery
Most of us in the U.S. are familiar with the name Michael Avenatti. For others he was the attorney for Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against the president of the United States. Avenatti has been charged with attempting to exhort $25 million from Nike. The short version of the story Avenatti claims several high school/college players received or were to receive payment through agents representing Nike. Among the names Avenatti dropped were Zion Williamson, DeAndre Ayton and others.
Most of us in the U.S. are familiar with the name Michael Avenatti. For others he was the attorney for Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against the president of the United States. Avenatti has been charged with attempting to exhort $25 million from Nike. The short version of the story Avenatti claims several high school/college players received or were to receive payment through agents representing Nike. Among the names Avenatti dropped were Zion Williamson, DeAndre Ayton and others.
Shortly after the reported extortion
attempt Avenatti was arrested by federal authorities, that was the past. On Wednesday of this week his attorneys filed
a motion to have the charges dropped.
This is an informational piece only; this story is too involved and far
from over to allow anyone to arrive at a conclusion. We can safely assume the shoe business is big
business. Although no major schools have
been charged the Adidas trial proved as the saying goes; “where there’s smoke
there’s fire.” We shall wait and see how
this ultimately plays out.
Team USA
Readers in Europe or Asia reading this I admit my bias upfront. From my reading and seeing one game as this is written I’m worried. Players have left due to injury while others chose to not participate. This might be the weakest Team USA in memory. We’ve witnessed an increasing number of players from Europe and Africa play in the NBA. These players often head back to their respective countries and are members of their nations national team. Although it’s my belief this is not a quality US team I will root for victory, sorry world.
Readers in Europe or Asia reading this I admit my bias upfront. From my reading and seeing one game as this is written I’m worried. Players have left due to injury while others chose to not participate. This might be the weakest Team USA in memory. We’ve witnessed an increasing number of players from Europe and Africa play in the NBA. These players often head back to their respective countries and are members of their nations national team. Although it’s my belief this is not a quality US team I will root for victory, sorry world.
