Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Season or not that is the question

At the time, the 2019-20 NBA season began I believed the Lakers had a good chance to return to championship level.  Over the summer Anthony Davis had been acquired in a trade.  The Lakers managed to make it more than halfway through before the virus brought the season to a screeching halt.  We are in early May and the holding pattern that began near the end of March continues.  The brain’s left side controls language skill and it says, “Let’s go ahead and re-start the season with no fans present.” 

The right side with its reasoning and problem solving emphatically says, “Let’s wait just a little bit further.” Labor disputes have existed in all major professional sports, a stoppage of play is not unusual except this one is.  Unlike those of the past it was necessary for labor and management to forge an agreement.  In this instance there is an invisible enemy waiting to strike, it fails to consider your ethnicity, whether you are rich or poor.  So, what do we do, the right-side controls reasoning, I think we should continue in a holding pattern for now?  If citizens continue to become ill and die in record numbers than the season should be cancelled. 

Notice of allegation

This past Monday Louisville basketball received a notice of allegation from the NCAA.  Briefly the charges reflect infractions occurring under former Coach Rick Pitino and members of his coaching staff.  All the parties have been terminated in case you were unfamiliar with the story.  The penalty Louisville faces at this point is an unknown for the following reason.  In September 2019 Kansas basketball received a notice of allegation from the NCAA as well. 

This account is written May 6, 2020 and the NCAA is yet to issue any ruling regarding Kansas.  Based on the NCAA’s snail approach Louisville should be safe for the next 8-9 months.  On the other hand, my take could be totally incorrect, the issue for me (and others) the NCAA appears to be a roaring Lion requiring dental work on its teeth.  UPDATE:  As this was being finalized the NCAA released an update.  The organization presented a 92-page response to the Kansas athletic department, a ruling will be issue prior to the start of the 2020-21 basketball season. 

The man in the middle

I am not sure if it is still done, the PA announcer at the United Center introducing the Bulls starting lineup would refer to the center as “The man in the middle.”   Over the 74-year history of the NBA there have been several outstanding centers. Rather than leave someone out a first, second and honorable mention was listed. The evolution of the game and center play has evolved over time.

First team

George Mikan

Wilt Chamberlain

Bill Russell

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Hakeem Olajuwon

Second team

Shaquille O’Neal

Willis Reed

Patrick Ewing

Moses Malone

Robert Parrish

Honorable mention

Jack Sikma

Bob Lanier

David Robinson

Walt Bellamy

Bill Walton

All the accolades

Isiah Thomas was a great NBA player two-time NBA Champion, enshrined in the Naismith & College Basketball Hall of Fame.  NBA 50^th Anniversary team member and 12 times an NBA All-Star just a small portion of the honors of the 6-1 Chicago native.  For those of us viewing Last Dance we discovered one more matter regarding Thomas, he was not well-liked by his peers the NBA community.  For years most of us were aware Thomas was not a member of the Dream Team.  This was the team of NBA stars to represent the United States in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. 

For years it was believed Michael Jordan did not want Isiah on the team due to their on-court battles over the years.  MJ made it clear there was no problem on his part if Thomas was selected, he respected his game.  MJ was emphatic in stating he did not like Thomas.  Former friend Magic Johnson claims he was not the culprit although it is public knowledge the two are no longer friends.  We could make the same stated about Larry Bird, the Celtics and Pistons had a contemptuous playoff series more than once.  One final note of interest Chuck Daly served as coach of the Dream Team and was also the Pistons coach.