Tuesday, February 18, 2020


Basketball from a fan’s perspective

It was the Chiefs first
The NFL Chiefs won the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years when they became NFL champions earlier this month.  We could also make the same statement about the Dayton Flyers although they have yet to win the NCAA championship, that honor won’t possibly occur until early April.  Could Dayton possibly win the NCAA championship, it’s certainly possible.  

For the first time since the 1955-56 season (64 years) a Dayton team is ranked in the Top 5 basketball teams in the nation.  The Flyers are led by forward Obi Topping expected to be a lottery pick in the 2020 NBA draft.  Anthony Grant once the head coach at Alabama has been at Dayton since 2017.  Dayton is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference which counts Rhode Island, St. Joseph and VCU a few other conference members. 

He just might be history
I questioned the decision of Billy Donovan when he took the Thunder job.  I would do the same with the reports Bill Self at Kansas is considering the NBA.  It’s basketball but there is a world of difference between the college game and the NBA, ask John Beilein.  I’m not going to go into detail just state there are times money is not as important as your ability to perform the task.  Two issues, the Cavs are a very bad team.  A college coach cannot rebuild an NBA team no matter who he might be.  Referring to his teams as thugs although Beilein claimed he meant slugs is probably not understandable to a team comprised of mostly black players.  

All Star game
My plan didn’t work out as I anticipated, I’d mentioned yesterday except for the slam dunk contest the skill events were my focus.  The format change in the manner the All-Star game was to be played deciding to skip it, not totally.  My wife can sit and watch a Royals baseball or Chiefs football game, she NEVER watches basketball of any type until Sunday.  “Why don’t you come in the family room and watch the game with me” the voice from the other room said.  I was in the Man Cave prepared to channel surf while watching bits and pieces of the game.  

The All Star game wasn’t that different from most games until the 4th quarter. 
In the 4th quarter the match moved a notch upward as Team LeBron and Team Giannis battled, and the term is certainly valid.  We witnessed defense, shooting and assists there were even arguments with the game officials.  Officials went to the monitors on more than one occasion to determine fouls or legitimate baskets.  The game came down to free-throws and Chicago’s Anthony Davis missed the first but sank the second and Team LeBron won the game 157-155.  Kawhi Leonard won the MVP award now named in honor of Kobe Bryant, I liked the game after expressing some concerns earlier. 

NBA expansion
The NBA is now comprised of 30 teams from coast to coast with one franchise in Canada, there might one day be a franchise in Mexico.  A franchise might exist in Europe however the travel issue must be resolved first.  Words eye view has researched the history of the NBA and there is a bit of information to share.  Despite numerous franchises moving sometimes as much as three times they are not included in this count. 

Only native teams are included in this count, in this instance an owner(s) paid an entry fee and a franchise was granted.  Depending on your age you might not be aware of those teams who began life via the expansion route.  These are not in any order however the first year in the NBA is noted.  This does not include any of the early franchises, this history only reflects those established after 1960. 

Portland Blazers     1970-71
Dallas Mavs           1980-81
Miami Heat            1988-89 
Charlotte Bobcats   2004-05
New Orleans Pelicans (Hornets) 1988-89
Seattle Sonics (OKC Thunder) 1967-68
Buffalo Braves (Clippers) 1970-71
San Diego Rockets (Houston) 1967-68
Chicago Packers (Wizards) 1961-62
Cleveland Cavs 1970-71
Milwaukee Bucks 1968-69
Minnesota Wolves 1989-90
Orlando Magic 1989-90
Phoenix Suns 1968-69
Toronto Raptors 1995-96