Basketball
from a fan’s perspective
This is
different
Several folks
appeared to be upset at the reported news announcement. Yesterday several news sources reported LaMelo
Ball and agent Jermaine Jackson purchased the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian
NBL. The Hawks are the team Ball was a
member this past season. It was reported
Ball had been made welcome by fans of the team and he wanted to show his
appreciation.
As for the upset
folks, “He owns a team before he plays in the NBA,” my response to that writer
so what. The Ball family particularly
the father has several bags of luggage but in this instance, there is no real
story with this news release. We read this
past winter the NBL was searching for new ownership groups. It appears they have snagged one with this
youngster and his agent.
Early entry to the
draft
There is talk regarding the NBA revising its restriction on the
18-year old, two-year high school rule.
Many are probably unaware, but this issue began with a college player,
but it was timing of the occurrence. The
following is information uncovered. “Spencer
Haywood played at a junior college one season and then the University of
Detroit, the ABA had no age restrictions.
He left school after his sophomore year and began play with the Denver
Rockets (predecessors to today’s Nuggets).
Later he left the Rockets signed a contract with the Seattle
Sonics, at that point the NBA attempted to keep him off the court due to the
fact Haywood’s class was two years short of graduating high school. Haywood’s case went to the U.S. Supreme Court
which ruled in his favor 7-2.”* This is
a condensed version of the events surrounding the age 18 and two years from
high school rule. Don’t you find it
interesting the issue began with a college/pro player rather than one
graduating high school?
*Wikipedia
Now down to
business
The “cash-cow” otherwise known as the NCAA tournament was
cancelled a few weeks back. With no
tournament there was other business for the NCAA to manage. On the front burner for the body was the
status of spring athletes, baseball, track and others. This week the NCAA ruled an additional year
of eligibility would be granted to those athletes; basketball was excluded
which makes sense. Any other business
ahead for the NCAA, oh yes, the Kansas basketball judgement.
As you remember 5 level one violations were leveled at the
program and coach Bill Self. Last
September or thereabouts the school responded to the accusations. The NCAA indicated judgement would be
forthcoming in late spring or early summer.
In a discussion with a friend on this matter he claimed, “They won’t do
anything to them it’s Kansas basketball.”
I will repeat an earlier belief, I imagine a share of the penalties will
be dismissed, how many I have no idea.
If for some reason all the charges are dismissed there are
serious issues which require a clear explanation from the NCAA.
Escape from New
York Kentucky
This is no John Carpenter movie script this occurred. A college and Naismith Hall of Fame athlete Dave
Cowens was born in the State of Kentucky and “escaped.” We cannot determine why he matriculated to Florida
State rather than Kentucky. 1967-1970 this
6-foot 9-center (yes, I said center) was an integral part of Seminole
basketball, in 1970 the Celtics made him the 4th pick in the first
round. He was instrumental to the
success of his team over the next 10 years, Cowens would finish his NBA career
as a member of the Bucks.
Number 18 was a double-double man despite giving up 3-4
inches to most centers of that era. Not
particularly swift Cowens often beat an opponent with hustle, it’s as if he
believed ever ball off the backboard belonged to him. It’s interesting this twice Celtic NBA
champion (’74 and ’76) is not mentioned with the reverence of others who wore
the Celtic green. Cowens coached for a
while however he’s currently out of basketball.
Oh, forgot to mention he was Co-NBA Rookie of the Year and league MVP in
1973 and an 8X NBA All-Star.
