Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
If you are reading this nothing’s been done
Remember last spring’s warning by the NCAA, “Several schools will face major punishment.” This threat was made in relation to the Adidas trial and its resulting conclusion. We received a promise action from the NCAA would be dealt with after the basketball tournament champion was crowned. We are aware the tournament is held in early April.
We are one week from September and to date
other than Utah and more recently Mississippi State we’ve heard not a peep from
the NCAA. School’s begun at all the
institutions; we are on the cusp of another college basketball season yet there
is no news. Keep in mind this is written
days ahead of its publication, if action is taken by the NCAA you won’t have
the opportunity to read this. I will
have deleted it as a non-story, no action by the NCAA allows you to read this
rant.
Thunderdome or the NBA
Western Conference
A few movies generate sequels; the Mad Max franchise is one of those. There have been five produced to date, one the 1985 release was titled Mad Max, Beyond Thunderdome. Like most movies it contained a classic line for those facing judgment it was the Thunderdome, “Two men enter one-man leaves.” In this instance the Western Conference NBA race could be titled Thunderdome although more than two teams will be involved. The Eastern Conference will be competitive in 2019-20, as for the west it will be all out warfare. Every playoff team improved themselves in the off-season except three. The Thunder and Spurs are a conundrum, as for the Nuggets that’s quite a different story some believe including this writer.
A few movies generate sequels; the Mad Max franchise is one of those. There have been five produced to date, one the 1985 release was titled Mad Max, Beyond Thunderdome. Like most movies it contained a classic line for those facing judgment it was the Thunderdome, “Two men enter one-man leaves.” In this instance the Western Conference NBA race could be titled Thunderdome although more than two teams will be involved. The Eastern Conference will be competitive in 2019-20, as for the west it will be all out warfare. Every playoff team improved themselves in the off-season except three. The Thunder and Spurs are a conundrum, as for the Nuggets that’s quite a different story some believe including this writer.
For reasons unknown most seem to have
forgotten Denver won 54 games last season, the second highest win total in the
conference. The Nuggets starting five
are terrific, my only question is the reserves.
That’s more to do with my unfamiliarity with that group over their talent. Off-season additions through the draft or
trades include Bol Bol, Tyler Cook and Vlatko Cancar. In front of them and technically a rookie is
Michael Porter Jr. who sat out last season.
It’s quite interesting with all the talk about the re-tooled Western
Conference few are discussing the Nuggets.
That might be a good thing, this way the pressure is on the Big Boy
Clippers, Lakers, Blazers and too an extent the Warriors. All things considered these teams and others
should be wary of the Nuggets.
It was a historical
event
In the middle of a historical event you don’t relate to the significance on occasion. That’s the case involving former Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Several events leading to the eventual forced sale are covered in the 5-part 30 by 30 ESPN podcast. Those of us who follow the NBA were aware of the events leading up to the Sterling suspension for life a rare occurrence for any sports owner.
In the middle of a historical event you don’t relate to the significance on occasion. That’s the case involving former Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Several events leading to the eventual forced sale are covered in the 5-part 30 by 30 ESPN podcast. Those of us who follow the NBA were aware of the events leading up to the Sterling suspension for life a rare occurrence for any sports owner.
The podcast told us in detail the balance
of the story many probably might not have been aware. There was one point revealed which surprised
me, Donald Sterling helped Dr. Buss purchase the Lakers. According to the report Buss was property
rich but cash poor, Buss required cash in order to complete the
purchase. He approached Sterling selling
several of his properties in exchange for cash.
I’m not going to give away anymore of this story, this 5-part series is
worth your time if you are so inclined.
Bits n Pieces
The Pacers and Kings will play in Mumbai India October 4 and 5, although they are pre-season games the response has been overwhelming. The game will be held in the 8,000 seat NSCI Dome, ticket sales were quite brisk with the arena nearly sold out in under two hours. There is no indication if there is a larger capacity available in the city. The NBA has a presence in the Asian nation opening an office and later a basketball academy a few years ago.
The Pacers and Kings will play in Mumbai India October 4 and 5, although they are pre-season games the response has been overwhelming. The game will be held in the 8,000 seat NSCI Dome, ticket sales were quite brisk with the arena nearly sold out in under two hours. There is no indication if there is a larger capacity available in the city. The NBA has a presence in the Asian nation opening an office and later a basketball academy a few years ago.
UCLA coach Mick Cronin
secured his first 5-star prospect, Daishen Nix a 6-4 190-pound point guard is
headed to Pauley Pavilion next fall. Nix
the 14th rated prospect in the Class of 2020 gave his verbal to UCLA
and Cronin. He’s from Alaska by way of
Trinity International in Las Vegas.
Several schools had offers for him besides UCLA among them were Arizona,
Gonzaga, Illinois, Kansas and LSU.
Usually if you say it you believe it to be
the truth. Rockets guard James Harden
stated he believes the reason he didn’t win back to back MVP’s is
perception. He believes the media set up
a narrative early at the beginning of the season. They never departed from this trend according
to the Rockets guard. No argument on my part Harden's 2018-19 season was outstanding. A conspiracy, I've mentioned this in the past I don't do conspiracies. If we understand Harden, he believes Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't deserve his MVP.
