Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Coaches on the hot seat

We discussed the fact covid-19 has slowed coaching changes to a crawl.  Our focus was on college coaches but what about the NBA?  The NBA page on cbssports.com approached the subject naming a few coaches they believed were on the hot seat.  Our focus is on but one, Mike D’Antoni of the Houston Rockets.  I once heard a story regarding an NFL coach, his resume was one of a winner. 

Most of his teams were .500+, at the time he took over a team the sports director of a local radio station contacted his counterpoint in the former coach’s city.  When asked about coach X this was his response.  “_______ is a great coach but he’ll break your heart.  His team will get to the playoffs every year but never win the big game.”  Is that D’Antoni’s reputation, a winner at every coaching stop but unable to win a championship? 

No asterisk

If the NBA season resumes, we could face a dilemma from the past.  Due to labor issues in past seasons there have been occasions there was a shortcut to the championship.  The NBA was unable to play a full schedule, enter Phil Jackson.  The former coach raised the issue of the asterisk and it’s been in the forefront of our minds ever since. 

Of course, it only becomes a topic of conversation anytime the NBA season fails to play 82 games.  We must travel back in time to 1999, the Spurs won the championship that year despite an abbreviated season.  Former coach Phil Jackson said, “An asterisk should be attached to the title.”  Years later Jackson always the cerebral one claimed he was only poking fun at the Spurs, he was playing mind games with the franchise.  If the 2019-20 season resumes a champion will be crowned but there will be No asterisk. 

Fun Fact

Covaid-19 prevented Ypsilanti’s Emoni Bates and team from repeating as Michigan State Basketball Champions.  To refresh your memory Bates is the Super Sophomore many who seen him play proclaim he’s ready currently for the NBA.  Well is that really a valid statement, he stands 6 foot 8 inches and is a rail-thin 185 pounds. 

Perhaps he will gain additional weight over the next few years, on the other hand he might not gain any weight at all.  Consider this fact, George “Iceman” Gervin stood 6 foot 8 also and he weighed 185 pounds. I know what you are thinking, I’m not saying he’s the second coming of the Iceman far from it.  Bates must continue to grow his game but the comparison to the Hall of Fame Gervin is interesting.   

No Coach of the Year for them

Most of us will be shocked if Frank Vogel wins NBA Coach of the Year. The answer is clear, “He’s got the best player in the game currently.  AD has proven to be a capable Batman to LeBron’s Robin or vice-versa.  The Lakers thus far have exceeded the annual win total each season going back to the 2010-11 season.  Across the hall at Staples Center Doc Rivers team signed two outstanding free agents in the off season, the Clippers are supposed to win.  Who wins it, it certainly cannot be the Bucks Frank Budenholzer?  The Bucks have accumulated an impressive win total however they won 60 games in 2018-19.  The following are a few names to consider:  

Erik Spoelstra, Heat

Billy Donovan, Thunder

Rick Carlisle, Mavs

Nate McMillian, Pacers

Who’s ceiling is higher?  

At the time the Lakers traded for Anthony Davis there might have been a question.  Besides the future draft picks which player did the Pelicans want most Lonzo Ball or Brandon Ingram?  I maintain it was Ingram over Ball and the numbers prove it.  Out of the bright lights of Los Angeles many believed Lonzo’s game would improve drastically.  Although signs reveal improvement on Lonzo’s part he may have reached his ceiling. 

Lonzo will be a quality NBA player but lack the proficiency many of us first perceived.  It’s possible I’m off base on this view however I don’t think so.  On the other hand, skinny Brandon Ingram’s game continues to grow as evidence by his career year. He’s scoring at a 24 point per game clip over his career it's been 16.2 points a game.  Although he’s doesn’t appear much bigger than his draft year it looks as if his body has adapted to the rigors of NBA play.  On the other hand, it could just be that talent factor.