Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Have you wondered why?

Other than Facebook Live, print media and Fox Sports you’ve not seen LaVar Ball on ESPN in ages.  I believe the answer is simple, he’s been barred for his misogynist statement regarding First Take co-host Molly Qerim-Rose.  Qerim-Rose has taken most of the criticism for Ball’s absence although it might be unfair.  I’m wasting your time reading this and mine writing it, all Ball manages to do is make outrageous unproven comments about his business, his family and former NBA players. 

The late Muhammad Ali was over the top with many of the statements he made regarding his boxing competition, that is until he won.  We could make the same declaration regarding Joe Namath, he said his Jets would win the Super Bowl, the world laughed at him until the game was over.  Ali, Namath and others had obstructions in front of them to overcome.  Anytime we hear Ball speak we are reminded of the old James Brown tune, “Talkin’ Loud and Sayin’ Nothing,” two stanzas from the 1970 funk tune are below.

Like a dull knife
Just ain't cutting
Just talking loud
Then saying nothing

Just saying nothing
Just saying nothing
You can't tell me
How to run my life down
You can't tell me
How to keep my business sound

The Nets

The news crawl on ESPN indicated Julius “Dr. J.” Erving would attend the Wednesday evening game at Barclays Center his first time in the building.  Although the good doctor once played for the Nets, they were not his first professional team.  Dr. J’s first team the Virginia Squires no longer exist so they are probably an afterthought.  Although it was the ABA Nets, he came into prominence it was still “New York”.  It’s interesting, anytime we discuss Dr. J. his years with the Sixers is always at the top of the list.  Only knowledgeable basketball fans might reference the New York Nets, even fewer folks might say Virginia “who”? 

$123,000

Based on a 41-game home season director/actor Spike Lee will have spent $123,000 on Knick season tickets for 2019-20.  We cannot verify if the figure is accurate however it’s reported to be close to the amount Lee pays annually for   courtside seats at Madison Square Garden.  A kerfuffle with Knick management and now Lee’s announced he no longer will attend Knick games the balance of the season. 

The disagreement has come down to a “He said-they said” argument, who does the public believe?  Point 1., the Knicks will fail once again to earn a playoff berth.  There are few games remaining for Lee to attend, he claims he’s coming back next season.  Will next season be any better than this season, confusing response?  After Donald Sterling was forced out as owner of the Clippers the Knicks and James Dolan moved up and replaced him as the worst NBA owner.  Is this a “real” story or is it a New York one? 

The NCAA

We have questions regarding the NCAA, there’s never been an argument university require an administrative body capable of issuing punishment.  The problem, the NCAA rarely moves swiftly and, on most occasions, administers unequal penalties.  This is just one example; in the spring of 2019 the NCAA indicated several schools (including Kansas) would face punishment after the tournament.  Of course, the NCAA basketball tournament is a financial windfall for the NCAA. 

The tournament ended in April, five months later the NCAA Kansas basketball received a notice of allegations.  Kansas will suffer major penalties, naturally Bill Self and the university denied the charge and planned to appeal.  That was September 2019, this is written in late February 2020 with the 2020 tournament on the horizon.  Kansas is rated the number one basketball team in the nation as this is written.  I’m holding my breath waiting on the NCAA to issue punishment, don’t worry it won’t be long.  This statement is made because in several instances the NCAA m  o  v  e  s   r  e  a  l  l  y   s  l  o  w.   

I know you are tired of…

Zion Williamson stories but, how bout one more.  The Pelicans forward continues to impress with his all-around game.  Sunday evening versus my Lakers Zion scored 35 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, despite his outstanding game the Pelicans lost 122-114.  A media member stated the other day “He needs to improve his rebound totals.”  I’m no coach however the rebounds will improve, my concern is his free throw percentage. 

Zion’s currently at 63% from the line, raising his percentage a mere 10-12 points could increase his scoring average tremendously.  Back to back, the Lakers faced the best newcomers in the NBA.  Saturday evening it was the Grizzlies Ja Morant, he torched the Lakers for 27 points 14 assists and 6 rebounds.  Morant accomplished this feat shooting 68% from the floor leading the Grizzlies to victory over the Lakers.