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.
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
