Basketball from a fan’s perspective

A poor choice of words

It was reported Cavs coach John Beilein was wading in deep water.  Rest assured no one expected the team to compete for an NBA championship.  We can be sure Cavs Nation desired improved play something rare at this point.  The frustration has boiled over with the coach, he referred to his team as “thugs” although he claims he meant to say slugs. 

Beilein’s since apologized for his statement and it’s reported his job is safe for now. You’ve heard the argument many in the society are upset being politically correct, we get it.  Politically correct or not there are certain words and phrases a white person shouldn’t use around black people.  Whether it was unintended or not that word should be removed from Beilein's vocabulary in certain instances.  

The Rooney Rule in the NBA

If you are reading this for an explanation disregard the headline, there is NO Rooney Rule in the NBA.  There is no rule because there was never a requirement for the owners to provide one unlike football.  For those requiring a further explanation the rule was placed into effect ensuring NFL owners interview minority candidates for head coaching positions.  In the NBA it was different, we are unsure why, but the NBA chose a different path.  Perhaps it was the Celtics hiring player coach Bill Russell in 1966 as the first black head coach in the NBA.  This was done long before the Rooney was proposed.  What is interesting Russell wasn’t the first minority to be hired in professional basketball in the position.

In 1962 the Cleveland Pipers of the short-lived American Basketball League (not to be confused with the ABA established later) appointed John McClendon head coach.  The ABL folded after just 1 ½ years of operation.  The Pipers at the time were owned by George Steinbrenner who would later purchase the baseball Yankees.  Since the ‘60’s up to the present day several black and other minorities have been hired as head coaches in the NBA.  If you believe this is stating the NBA is beyond racial issues in relation to its workings allow me to refresh your memory very briefly.

In 2014 the NBA forced former Clippers owner Donald Sterling to sell the team, in 1981 the NBA “requested” Cavs owner Ted Stepien relinquish ownership of his team.  In both instances the owners made incendiary racial remarks, added to Stepien record the Cavs front office had been poorly managed.  There have been other racial incidents occurring over time in the NBA.  This is my belief, despite the recent firing of David Fizdale the NBA is light years ahead of the NFL in its hiring practices regarding head coaches and front office personnel.  Based on its recent history the NFL could take a note from basketball…if their intentions are serious as they claim.   

Twin Towers

The term twin towers originated with the NBA Rockets with Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon in the lineup.  This match occurred in 1984, later David Robinson and Tim Duncan of the Spurs formed a twin tower combo in 1997.  Those are likely the most famous twin tower combos however they were not the first.  In 1969-70 Jacksonville University had two 7-foot players in the lineup.  7-foot 2-inch Artis Gilmore manned the center position, at the power forward was 7-foot Pembroke Burrows. 

Despite losing to UCLA in the NCAA championship both went on to successful careers in different fields.  Gilmore played in the ABA and later the NBA; he's enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame.  As for Burrows he was drafted in the 4th round by the Sonics but we can locate no further basketball history.  This we do know Burrows went to work for the Florida Highway Patrol where he undertook duties in law enforcement until his retirement.  No argument from anyone Burrows was the tallest highway patrolman in Florida history.   

He’s an unassuming guy
At the time Frank Vogel was hired as Lakers head coach I knew very little about him.  He’s coached the Pacers and Magic, but I had little other information.  Based on this factor I decided to check his resume.  Vogel was a starter for Juniata College a Division III school in Huntington Pennsylvania about 90 miles from the state capital in Harrisburg. 

Vogel transferred to the University of Kentucky graduating with a BS in biology, that would appear to say he’s got a cerebral mind.  Excepting the two seasons in Orlando Vogel experienced winning records with the Pacers.  His Pacer team was plus .500 and earned a playoff berth however Larry Bird made the decision to change coaches after the season.  Bird indicated his belief the team needed a new voice after the 2016 season.  We have discovered perhaps others were aware Vogel believes his teams should play defense. 

The Lakers defense is certainly improved over last season.  Adding AD, Avery Bradley and others are a part but it’s Vogel and his staff preaching defense.  Laker Nation hosts are singing the praises of the coach, they said ‘He was not the first choice, he might not have been the second choice, but he’s done quite a job to date.’  Who would have figured the Lakers would be 26-7 at his stage of the season.  Now you have as much information on Frank Vogel as most of us.