Basketball from a fan’s perspective

“I’m Back”

Those were the words of Michael Jordan after he discovered baseball was more difficult than playing for the Bulls.  MJ had retired prematurely in some eyes to play baseball a sport last played while in high school.  Perhaps Jordan might have been as great at baseball as basketball if he’d continued to play the game throughout his college span.  That was the short story on Michael Jordan, the words “I’m Back” could also apply to former Louisville coach Rick Pitino. 

Pitino’s impressive coaching career crash landed in October 2017 when Louisville fired him, he was never implicated directly in the scandal that broke that year.  
He was the head coach and the term applied is “lack of institutional control,” Pitino wanted a job but what college would hire him?  He decided to head overseas for Greece and began coaching Panathinaikos.  Pitino informed ownership he would not be returning, it was announced on Saturday Iona intended to hire him.  Who says you can’t go home; New York City guy Pitino will be coaching blocks from where he grew up? 

This is amazing

Jason Kidd was drafted by the Mavs in 1994, he played with the Mavs through the 1996 season, his career continued with the Suns and Nets before a 2008 trade sending him back to the Mavs where he remained through 2012.  The timeframe is provided to provide you background information on a new record set recently. 

Prior to the 2019-20 season Kidd held the Mavs team record for triple-doubles with 21 but he holds the record no longer.  As this is written Luka Doncic now has 22 triple-doubles is the new Mavs franchise leader, this total is amazing if we take into consideration the timeframe.  Doncic is about to complete his second full season in the NBA, this should provide you why he’s being compared to Larry Bird in some circles. 

Keep our eyes on the issue here

Let's not lose track of the facts regarding COVID-19, sometimes it becomes all about what we desire. The health and welfare of the populace is the most important factor, sick and in some cases departed persons cannot purchase tickets to the event.  Many college athletes are hurt by the early season closing but only to a point. Several are high profile and will soon earn large sums of money in the NBA and other professional leagues. The millionaire owners will survive the shutdown so will the millionaire athletes.

Who suffers, working class folks who depend on stadium and arena operations to provide income for their families. Most of them are probably not under any sort of contract so they don't work they don't get paid. Sports fans (like me) are suffering but nowhere near the level of those whose income will be curtailed by the cessation of sports in America.  Attaboy to Mavs owner Mark Cuban who’s promised to step up for hourly employees at American Airlines Center.  The same for Cavs forward Kevin Love who is donating a portion of his salary to employees in Cleveland. 🤔

Fallout from COVID-19 continues

Emoni Bates and his Lincoln High School teammates were to defend their Michigan State Championship on Friday evening.  We might guess the defending champion Lincoln Railsplitters probably were favored to win over Ann Arbor Huron.  On Thursday the MHSAA first announced only parents, guardians and essential school personnel would be allowed to attend the weekend games. 

After professional leagues, major universities and others began cancelling the MHSAA decided to follow suit.  Most of us must wait till next season to see Bates in action.  Oh, sure he will likely play AAU ball this summer however there is an issue for many.  The type of basketball played by AAU teams while exciting for fans fails to grow skills for participating athletes.