Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
“There are 81 more”
By now you are aware of the final score, Clippers 112 Lakers 102. Prior to the Laker-Clipper game an acquaintance provided me and others with a final score. This individual had the Clippers winning 100 to the Lakers 99. My response, “There are 81 more games.” Certainly, I was disappointed with the outcome but how can I really be upset with one game especially the first one. I told him “Come back and see me in April.” I have no intention to expect subpar play from the Lakers without addressing issues I can see as a fan, stay tuned for further developments.
Greg Oden
On the eve of the 2019-20 NBA season the injury news regarding Zion Williamson stunned most of us. A friend sent a comment to me, “Oh man. Not another Greg Oden.” Several might not remember the name; Oden from Ohio State was the number one pick by the Blazers in 2007. Oden had “NBA All Pro” written all over him, how good was he projected? One NBA scout stated, “He’s the second coming of Bill Russell?” The comparison to Russell was evident, his single season at Ohio State Oden demonstrated a keen ability to rebound the ball and block shots.
On the eve of the 2019-20 NBA season the injury news regarding Zion Williamson stunned most of us. A friend sent a comment to me, “Oh man. Not another Greg Oden.” Several might not remember the name; Oden from Ohio State was the number one pick by the Blazers in 2007. Oden had “NBA All Pro” written all over him, how good was he projected? One NBA scout stated, “He’s the second coming of Bill Russell?” The comparison to Russell was evident, his single season at Ohio State Oden demonstrated a keen ability to rebound the ball and block shots.
In the same manner of Russell his
offensive game was somewhat limited, the other parts of his game caused NBA
GM’s to set up and take notice. His NBA
career never really got off the ground, from 2008 through 2014 Oden managed to
play a total of 105 games and never a full season. The list of injuries he suffered are far too
numerous to enumerate in this short account. After frequent attempts to
resurrect his NBA career Oden finally gave it up although he managed to play in
Ice Cube’s Big3 league in 2019. Finally,
in conclusion we all hope Zion Williamson fully heals and produces NBA numbers
all believe are capable.
I wonder
Sprint has been in discussion for several years regarding a merger or buy-out of the company. The FCC has approved the merger between Sprint and T-Mobile although it’s my understanding they remain separate companies as this is written. Just in case you thought this might be a Wall Street Journal or Business Enterprise story it’s not although it certainly is corporate related. Our story begins with Minute Maid park in Houston, the home of the baseball Astros did not always include that name. At the time the park opened it was known as “Enron Field.”
Sprint has been in discussion for several years regarding a merger or buy-out of the company. The FCC has approved the merger between Sprint and T-Mobile although it’s my understanding they remain separate companies as this is written. Just in case you thought this might be a Wall Street Journal or Business Enterprise story it’s not although it certainly is corporate related. Our story begins with Minute Maid park in Houston, the home of the baseball Astros did not always include that name. At the time the park opened it was known as “Enron Field.”
Some years after signing a 30-year
naming rights deal Enron went bankrupt, shorten version of the story an
agreement was made to remove the name Enron from the park. To my knowledge Sprint is not about to go
bankrupt however there is a naming rights issue locally. The downtown arena in Kansas City has Sprint
in front of Center, if the merger is ever culminated what name remains on the
basketball/concert arena? In the issues
of the world this is quite trivial however it does remain a question.
The best coaches
There are far too many good coaches in my view to focus on one. At the same time my list includes NBA coaches as well. We’ve heard for years NBA coaches manage more than coach. That statement might well be true but explain this, how is one coach able to direct an under achieving team to success? You might find this interesting most had coaching histories which might surprise.
There are far too many good coaches in my view to focus on one. At the same time my list includes NBA coaches as well. We’ve heard for years NBA coaches manage more than coach. That statement might well be true but explain this, how is one coach able to direct an under achieving team to success? You might find this interesting most had coaching histories which might surprise.
John Thompson began coaching at the
high school level same for Adolph Rupp, as for Gregg Popovich it was Division
III basketball. Phog Allen first coached
at Baker University now an NAIA school, in 1905 the NAIA did not exist. Several coaches on the list were before my
time, they are on the list by reputation.
These are not in any order; my Top 10 plus 2. Sorry fans I could have stopped at 10 however
I thought there were others worthy of consideration.
Pat Riley-Lakers, Knicks & Heat
Phil Jackson-Bulls, Lakers
Adolph Rupp-Freeport HS & Kentucky
Mike Krzyzewski-Army, Duke
John Wooden-Indiana State, UCLA
Phog Allen-Baker, Haskell, University Central MO & Kansas
Red Auerbach-Washington Caps, Tri-City Blackhawks & Celtics
Gregg Popovich-Pomona-Pitzer, Spurs
Larry Brown- several college & NBA stops during his career
John Thompson-St. Anthony HS, Georgetown
Clarence “Big House” Gaines-Winston-Salem State
Bill Self, Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Illinois & Kansas
Phil Jackson-Bulls, Lakers
Adolph Rupp-Freeport HS & Kentucky
Mike Krzyzewski-Army, Duke
John Wooden-Indiana State, UCLA
Phog Allen-Baker, Haskell, University Central MO & Kansas
Red Auerbach-Washington Caps, Tri-City Blackhawks & Celtics
Gregg Popovich-Pomona-Pitzer, Spurs
Larry Brown- several college & NBA stops during his career
John Thompson-St. Anthony HS, Georgetown
Clarence “Big House” Gaines-Winston-Salem State
Bill Self, Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Illinois & Kansas
