Basketball from a fan’s perspective

The doctor

On several occasions I’ve written Doc Rivers is overrated as a coach.  That’s quite a strong statement without offering any proof other than an opinion.  Let’s check his history, he’s a former NBA player so that’s in his favor.  Rivers has coached the Magic, Celtics and now the Clippers so that’s a check mark in his favor also.  Some of the stuff he’s been involved in is trivial but irritating to me, example. 

Sharing the same arena as the Lakers Rivers decided to have the Laker NBA championship banners covered when the Clippers played.  Veteran JJ Redick was a member of his Clippers team from 2013 through 2017.  As you aware none of his Clipper teams to date has managed to play for an NBA championship, that makes for a question for Redick.  Recently Redick (now with the Pelicans) stated he couldn’t figure out why at least 2 or 3 of those Clipper teams didn’t play for a championship. 

You remember Lob City with Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul, don’t you?  Now he’s managed to acquire (through free agency) Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, should we expect an NBA championship?  We certainly should, several basketball people claim the Clippers now have a deeper team than the Lakers.  This is what we heard after the Thursday night loss to the Rockets from the coach, "We lost our composure" this from a veteran team with a veteran coach.  I’m certainly expecting the Clippers to win an NBA championship this season, fans of the team have been waiting longer than me.   

Optimism disappeared quickly

Through the eyes of a fan we fail to see the real world on occasion, that’s my confession for today.  Mizzou basketball coming off a 15-17 season we, no I expected improved play over last season.  The freshman now adjusted to D-I basketball would be better prepared for the rigors of play at this level in addition the coach secured most of his prospects.  The backcourt would be solid guard Mark Smith injured for the last portion of the season and transfer Dru Smith would gain eligibility. 

We’d see improved play by Jeremiah Tillmon especially less foul trouble.  Those were my optimistic expectations, two weeks before SEC play Mizzou has 6 wins and 4 losses in the non-conference portion of the schedule, can you understand my concern?  I didn’t expect this team to compete for the SEC championship, but I could see Mizzou earning an NCAA berth.  Mizzou faces a tough Illinois team on Saturday followed by Chicago State.  They will have a baptism of fire at the beginning conference season facing Kentucky in Lexington January 4^th.   

The merger

Since 1976 we’ve used the term NBA-ABA merger as the description of American Basketball Association teams being absorbed into the NBA.  It wasn’t a true merger, at the time the American Football League merged with the National Football League all AFL teams moved into the NFL.  It was different in basketball; the Virginia Squires had gone bankrupt and two other team’s owners received financial compensation for dissolving their teams.  The Kentucky Colonels owner might have used a portion of his payout to later purchase the Celtics, John Y. Brown would later sell his share of the Celtics.

The remaining ABA teams were almost bankrupt, owners were hemorrhaging money.  Many believe if the NBA had held out for another two years there would have been no ABA teams to absorb.  As for the players that would have been a different story, they would have found a home somewhere in the NBA.  Brothers Ozzie and Daniel Silna owners of the Spirits of St. Louis received only $2.2 million in 1976 dollars.  Their attorney secured a long-term deal that allowed them to continuing receiving financial payment as this is written, they received 1/7 of a share of each of the four remaining ABA (now NBA) teams’ television rights in perpetuity. 

The definition, “A perpetuity is an annuity that has no end, or a stream of cash payments that continues forever.” 1. The Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers and the New York Nets moved into the NBA.  As you see the term merger was used to describe the events, but it was really a term allowing ABA owners to stop hemorrhaging money.  As for the Silna brothers they probably don’t care what it’s called as money continues to roll in to them and their families.

1.  History.com 

All dressed up and no place to go

We could make that statement about the Golden State Warriors, the outlook for the season was somewhat promising.  The team would be playing in the brand-new Chase Center across the bay in San Francisco.  Prior to the season it was believed they would be good but with no Klay Thompson and other contributors missing the season could be long.  I believed I stated they would earn a playoff berth but not contend for an NBA championship. 

The building opened and then BAM, it seemed the injuries occurred the most debilitating to Steph Curry the heart and soul of the Warriors.  After winning championships and playing deep into the playoff season the Warriors are in strange waters.  They are currently in last place and a return by Curry is likely to not change the outlook.  It was reported earlier Klay Thompson could return before the end of the 2019-20 season however there is a question.  It the Warriors were making a playoff run we could see the importance of a Thompson return…now not so much.