Basketball
from a fan’s perspective
Now in full effect
Going forward Warriors home basketball games will be played before
a practically empty arena. This action
comes as a result of a recommendation from the San Francisco Health Department
due to covid-19. The local health department
indicates the maximum capacity for any public event should be no more than
1,000 spectators per game. This smaller gathering
in Chase Center will create a ripple effect financially for a segment of the
populace.
With the reduced number of fans well see a decrease in the number
of vendors, ticket agents and other arena personnel. Before this was published the NCAA announced
its men’s and women’s tournament will implement the same procedures. Only a small gathering will be attending games. We receive mix messages, fans (with no
medical background) are claiming playing games before mostly empty arena’s is going
to the extreme. On the other hand, there
are groups of fans who believe it’s better to be safe than sorry.
It’s easy to see
why
Emerging from Oklahoma into the NBA Trae Young was compared
to Steph Curry. It’s easy to see why
besides shooting, we often compare a young athlete to an established outstanding
athlete. In addition, the physical build
of the two is comparable. Young is 6-1
while Curry stands 6-3, Young weighs 180 pounds and Curry 185. Curry’s been sidelined for much of the season
so the comparison between the two ends at this point. We can guess Young might appreciate the
comparison to Curry but probably believes in being the best version of Trae
Young.
Once upon a time…
I liked Doug Gottlieb early in his broadcast career. Former Division I basketball player,
professional career in Europe. I
believed he brought some expertise to his commentary particularly regarding
basketball. For an unspecified period,
it seems he’s moved in the direction of absurdity with much of his radio/television
broadcasts.
Recently we discovered a clear example with his statement on
Kevin Durant. “KD pushed back on Billy
Donovan…he pushed back on Steve Kerr, even though he won two
championships.” I’m not going to defend Durant
I’m simply going to ask the question. Mr.
Gottlieb your comment regarding Kevin Durant is somewhat incendiary. Can you offer proof behind your statement or is
this an attempt to boost your ratings?
Revisionist
history
After Jerry Lucas retired from the NBA as a member of the
Knicks in 1974, he’s taken on a different role in life. As for the title, consider the fact Lucas is
a double honoree, in the Naismith and College Basketball Halls of Fame. The history of the Kings might have been
different except for Bob Cousy who was coaching the team. Cousy desiring his Cincinnati Royals to
resemble his former Celtics team traded Lucas in 1970, two years later the team
moved to Kansas City changing the name to become the Kings.
Matched with the emerging Tiny Archibald it’s no telling what
the Kings might have become, oh well. In
any event playing for the Royals, Warriors and Knicks over the course of his
career the 6-foot 8-inch 230-pound Lucas was furious on the boards. Over his 12-year NBA tenure Lucas averaged
15.6 rebounds a game which placed him in the company of much taller players of
the era. He might have stood out for his
board work however Lucas could score, 17 points a game average during his
career.
Once Lucas found himself matched against the Lakers Wilt
Chamberlain in an NBA championship series.
Chamberlain refused to go outside the basket area to contest
him, Lucas shot long range shot after shot as Chamberlain
wouldn’t close on him. Another name from
the past basketball historians need to be reminded. “Lucas now
lives in California and is involved with educational and memory
endeavors and travels often with speaking engagements.” *
*wcpo.com/news/
