Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Bits n Pieces
Warriors backup point guard Shaun Livingston announced his retirement. If we just looked at his career numbers one might say “What makes him so special?” You’ve heard the term Warrior mentality, that’s Livingston. Drafted with promise in 2004 he suffered a devastating injury which most would have failed to attempt a comeback. “Along with a dislocated left kneecap and broken left leg, Livingston tore his anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus. He also badly sprained his medial collateral ligament.” Think about it, he returned to the game and played a total of 15 years.
Kentucky
is noted for bluegrass, horse racing and basketball. There are probably other noteworthy areas
however the basketball is interesting.
Kentucky is the 26th most populated state in the nation yet
contains 7 Division I basketball programs.
Contrast that with Missouri which is the 18th most populated
state. We have four Division I programs
in the state yet have only 4 Division I teams.
Even
Kings don’t always receive the desires of their heart, that’s the case for
LeBron James. You realize recently he’s
been much about “Taco Tuesday,” it seems James has announced Taco Tuesday on a
weekly basis. How serious, James
attempted to patent the phrase with the US Patent Office however his request
failed to gain acceptance. James was
turned down because the term is one of common usage.
Are
you in the number, the folks who hate the one and done rule? You talk to yourself and others and say, “As
soon as the NBA allows high school players in the draft again basketball will
return to the good ol days.” I’ve got
news for you and others we ain’t never returning to those days again. Rest assured those choosing college over the
NBA will increase but it won’t increase significantly. Consider this possibility, a Ja Morant of the
future graduates high school unsure of his ability. He experiences a breakout year as a freshman,
you think he’s going to return to college.
I guess I’m the only one
I thought “Thunder” was a stupid name for a team, years later I still hold on to that belief. My feelings aside now the dust has settled let’s check out Oklahoma City’s NBA team. They will not win the NBA championship in 2020, it’s possible they could earn a playoff berth. That’s a feat I believed a month ago might not be possible. It’s apparent Chris Paul will not be dealt so it would appear he starts the season at the point. Cantankerous, injury prone when healthy at 34 he still possesses vast amounts of skill.
I thought “Thunder” was a stupid name for a team, years later I still hold on to that belief. My feelings aside now the dust has settled let’s check out Oklahoma City’s NBA team. They will not win the NBA championship in 2020, it’s possible they could earn a playoff berth. That’s a feat I believed a month ago might not be possible. It’s apparent Chris Paul will not be dealt so it would appear he starts the season at the point. Cantankerous, injury prone when healthy at 34 he still possesses vast amounts of skill.
Although Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a
point guard with the Clippers he moves into the vacated Russell Westbrook slot
which is shooting guard. I know
technically Westbrook was the point guard, but you understand. Danilo Gallinari managed to play 68 games for
the Clippers, he scored at nearly a 20 point a game clip. Terrance Ferguson is the starter at small
forward and replaces Paul George, steady dependable Steven Adams remains at
center. After a capable starting five
the reserves are okay but are not probably likely to strike fear in the
opposition. So, there it is, the Thunder,
with 55 future draft choices (okay I exaggerate a bit) but you get the general idea.
McDonald’s All American
The list of former and current NBA players named McDonald’s All Americans is extensive. What’s behind this showcase of high school talent by the restaurant corporation you ask? Proceeds from the game are donated to the Ronald McDonald House to provide lodging for the families of children suffering illness. Often the parents don’t reside in the city the child might be receiving medical attention, Ronald McDonald House becomes that sanctuary. As for the game, it was first played in 1977, that year the All American’s played a team from Washington D.C.
The list of former and current NBA players named McDonald’s All Americans is extensive. What’s behind this showcase of high school talent by the restaurant corporation you ask? Proceeds from the game are donated to the Ronald McDonald House to provide lodging for the families of children suffering illness. Often the parents don’t reside in the city the child might be receiving medical attention, Ronald McDonald House becomes that sanctuary. As for the game, it was first played in 1977, that year the All American’s played a team from Washington D.C.
The following year the East-West lineups
were implemented. The game has no
permanent home although Chicago and Atlanta have served as host cities more
than any other. In 2002 McDonalds began
honoring high school girls adding an East-West game. In the spring of 2020, the list of All Americans’
will be announced, other than named a Rivals 5-star prospect being honored by
McDonald’s is likely on the same level perhaps a step above. As for past All American’s the list reads
like a who’s who of basketball. Just a
few of those names:
Magic Johnson 1977
Michael Jordan 1981
Shaquille O’Neal 1989
Kevin Garnett 1995
Kobe Bryant 1996
LeBron James 2003
Michael Jordan 1981
Shaquille O’Neal 1989
Kevin Garnett 1995
Kobe Bryant 1996
LeBron James 2003
