Basketball from a fan’s perspective
I did what I said
This from Saturday’s Words eye view, “Low and behold he shows up at Lakers-Rockets game seated next to owner Jeanie Buss, still no commitment from him. It’s now being reported Collison is “talking to his agent.” Here goes, I believe Laker fans have waited at the altar far too often recently. This member of Laker Nation says, if Collison signs that’s great, he will be a welcome addition. Should he decide in favor of the Clippers so be it, I’m not holding my breath on this one.” Sunday evening comes a report Collison intends to remain retired. Exactly what this exercise was all about is a mystery to us who are part of Laker Nation.
Go where I didn’t intend
In my salute to the late Kobe Bryant I failed to mention Colorado. I did not mention it for one specific reason Kobe claimed he believed the sex was consensual. It wasn’t as the woman later indicated; a trial was never held as she decided to not pursue criminal charges. Kobe apologized to the woman, to his wife and fans. To our knowledge since that time he conducted his life in an exemplary manner.
Notice I didn’t say perfect because none of us lead perfect lives. And then came Gayle King, in a “gotcha moment” interview tried to pin down Lisa Leslie former WNBA player and friend of Kobe. When the interview was released King claimed CBS had cherrypicked it and didn’t show the entire piece. King has been attacked verbally by several celebrities and has since begun receiving death threats. Threats to harm King are real, there are people willing to act on impulse.
Here’s how I see it, in the performance of her job King had the right to ask the tough question(s). My chief concern is why wait until death to ask a friend of Kobe, with King’s ability and connections she could have interviewed him and ask the question sitting across from him. As much as I admire Kobe the basketball player, I must state he made a unfortunate error. I join those who call out King not with venom or threats but simply with the question…why now?
February
If we said first black head coach the first name given might be Bill Russell or John McClendon however they were in the pros, how about college? Can you name him, we’ll help you, his name is Will Robinson? In 1971 the athletic department at Illinois State hired Robinson to head their basketball program. He became the first black head coach at a Division I school.
One of Robinson’s players went on to an NBA, coaching and broadcast career his name…Doug Collins. Today it’s highly unlikely a hiring would occur in this manner, Robinson arrived directly from Pershing High School in Detroit to head the ISU program. He would retire in 1975 taking on the role of scout for the Pistons. Robinson was highly successful in this role discovering talent not only in basketball but football as well. He died in 2008 at the age of 96, a historical basketball name from the past we should know.
It’s not your time
How’d you like to stand 7 feet tall and weigh 280 pounds? Not only do you have the height and basketball skill, but you are told it’s not your time. That’s the case for Kansas Big Man Udoka Azubuike, he just might be the best center in college basketball currently. The “You can’t play” is not actually lack of skill, allow a brief explanation. One scouting report claimed “If this was 1985, he’d be a lottery pick” instead we see him a late first round pick. The evolution of the game has witnessed the play of traditional Big Men become a rare commodity.
Saturday versus Texas Tech Azubuike scored 20 points along with 15 rebounds and 5 blocked shots which details an all-around game. It should be noted the scouting report also indicated Azubuike’s has a limited offensive game. Is that a bad thing realizing your other attributes might be average to above that? The Lakers JaVale McGee has an extended NBA career, nobody ever mistook him for Kareem or Wilt in the pivot. Expect to see Azubuike drafted late in the first round or early in the second.
