Basketball from a fan’s perspective

What’s in a legacy?  

That question might be familiar to all of us including athletes.  Several Laker fans were upset because LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant and moved into third place as the NBA’s leading scorer.  These Laker fans consider LeBron a “late” arrival in just his second year with the team.  On the other hand, Kobe spent 20 years as a member of the Lakers.  Briefly let’s journey to the past, we didn’t have social media as we do today perhaps there would have been the same outcry.  Wilt Chamberlain retired in 1973 after scoring 31,419 points and establishing the NBA all-time scoring record. 

11 years later Kareem Abdul Jabbar would break Chamberlain's record and by the time he retired his scoring total stood at 38,387 points.  As stated earlier were there complaints, probably.  We continue to discuss the exploits of Wilt; it doesn’t appear to affect his legacy.  In any event back to Kobe, how do we suppose he might feel now that LeBron has eclipsed him.  Kobe insists he’s comfortable with his legacy and why shouldn’t he be?  His trophy case is full of awards he can state with pride “I did that.”  We each establish our own legacy or standard, no one person can take that away from us. 

It was different

My barber was not going to be in the shop on Saturday, this meant a Friday visit and it just wasn’t the same.  The shop was practically empty not the usual Saturday morning crowd.  In addition, the small number meant no banter back and forth between the gathering which usually occurs.  We can have 5 or 6 conversations on a variety of sports accounts going on at the same time. 

My barber asked me about the LeBron statement about the present roster being complete, he said they need Derrick Rose.  My response, “Rose has certainly returned to form although nothing like his MVP year.  I’m unsure if he’s a good fit for them.”  I believe he could provide plenty of offense for the second unit however I could foresee a problem molding his game to that of LeBron.  With my statement my barber and the other barber both disagreed with my statement.  “He would adapt was the comment by both barbers.”  The old declaration, “We can agree to disagree applies here.”

Dynasty

Remember all the talk about a Warriors dynasty as recently as the middle of last season?  Well it’s just that talk based on the current state of the Warriors.  There are two issues NBA teams have no control, free-agency and injuries.  The one area there is limited control is the draft, teams now days don’t depend on the draft as they once did.  That’s not to say it doesn’t exist but a playoff team signing a high-quality pick is like catching lightning in a bottle.  The Warriors will remain a destination for free agents but the draft in my estimation is key.   

At this point we become GM of the Warriors, we don’t know how the draft plays out.  Likely the Warriors have an opportunity for picks 1-5, Steph Curry is 31-years old, so we exclude point guards LaMelo Ball and Cole Anthony.  They are passed over because D’Angelo Russell (as this writing) remains a member of the team.  He could play both point and shooting guard, so the pick becomes a front court player.Take a pass on shooting guard Anthony Edwards not his potential talent rather a personnel issue, Klay Thompson returns.  That leaves 7-foot center James Wiseman from Memphis or Dayton’s Obi Toppin a 6-9 forward.

Minutes versus winning 

The Pelicans are 0-2 since Zion Williamson’s been inserted into the lineup.  His play to date has been very good however there is an issue.  Which is more important winning versus winning?  At least one comment (maybe more) regarding Alvin Gentry and his ability to manage adjustments.  I refuse to defend the coach, not because of any any belief he's a bad coach it's the "other".    

The other being the Pelicans are a young team learning on the fly, Gentry must maintain the minutes restriction regarding Zion while attempting to manage the game.  If this was a veteran team it might be far easier to move a Zion into the lineup and win too.  Unfortunately (which is good for the future) the Pelicans are a youthful team which should improve.