Basketball from a fan perspective

Dagger straight through the heart---The Nuggets were about to tie the Western Conference series, there was but 2.1 seconds remaining in the game.  The Nuggets had a 103-102 lead, time for a catch and shoot, who would take the last shot? The ball was passed into Anthony Davis who hoisted a 3-point shot from the left side of the court.  By the time the ball dropped through the basket the clock read 0.00.  Of course a replay was required and the shot was declared good.  

Could you see it? ---Saturday night witnessed the Celtics winning 117-106 over the Heat, the series is now 2-1 in favor of the Heat.  Is it possible we could see a revival of a Celtics-Lakers Championship? Both teams must arrive at that point however rest assured NBA devotees would love to see it.  The teams last faced one another in 2010 with the Lakers winning the championship 4 games to 3, in 2008 the Celtics were winners 4 games to 2. 

Including the series mentioned the Celtics and Lakers have met a total of 12 times beginning in 1959 an NBA record. The opponents read like a who’s who of NBA history.  Bill Russell versus Jerry West, John Havlicek and Kareem Abdul Jabbar later it would become Larry Bird-Magic Johnson.  The last two championship matches featured Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant.  Can you see it in your mind’s eye, Jayson Tatum, and LeBron James?  Hold on there a minute, we must arrive there first before we can begin this revisit.   

This is interesting---I’ve been a student of the game but there always one, two or more things you learn.  When the Lakers retired Kobe Bryant’s jerseys 8 and 24, I believe that was a first.  Whoa, not so fast there, research uncovered several similar instances.  Oscar Robertson had number 1 retired by the Bucks and number 14 by the Kings (his number when the franchise played in Cincinnati). 

Earl Monroe’s number 10 was retired by the Bullets/Wizards and his 15 by the Knicks. We could make the same statement about Pistol Pete Maravich, number 7 was retired by the Jazz and number 44 by the Hawks.  The Nets retired Julius Erving’s 32 and the Sixers retired his number 7.  Shaquille O’Neal’s 34 is hanging in Staples Center and 32 has been retired by the Heat.  Most interesting the Magic who originally drafted O’Neal are yet to retire his number or others on the Magic roster. 

I’m They are Back--- March 18, 1995 Michael Jordan sent out a fax (funny) with the two words: I’m Back.  If you remember the time or saw Last Dance, you remember MJ had retired from the Bulls to play baseball.  We decided to use it to reference the Golden State Warriors in the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season.  Steve Kerr’s team will be fully healed and restocked, they will become a force again in the NBA and especially the Western Conference.  Any rookie drafted is not likely to see a great deal of time on the court however with the second pick the Warriors could draft an athlete to aid their cause over the next several years. 

It could be Anthony Edwards shooting guard from Georgia or Memphis Big Man James Wiseman, a name we are unlikely to hear with the second pick is LaMelo Ball.  Nothing to do with talent rather usage, why draft a combo guard with a healthy Klay Thompson and Steph Curry.  On the other hand, the Warriors could draft someone other than the two names mentioned above.  The Western Conference will be even more competitive next season adding the Warriors in the mix for the championship.  Rest assured several foes in the Western Conference are not looking forward to the return of the Dubs. is now 2-1 in favor of the Heat.  Is it possible we could see a revival of a Celtics-Lakers Championship? Both teams must arrive at that point however rest assured NBA devotees would love to see it.  The teams last faced one another in 2010 with the Lakers winning the championship 4 games to 3, in 2008 the Celtics were winners 4 games to 2. 

Including the series mentioned the Celtics and Lakers have met a total of 12 times beginning in 1959 an NBA record. The opponents read like a who’s who of NBA history.  Bill Russell versus Jerry West, John Havlicek and Kareem Abdul Jabbar later it would become Larry Bird-Magic Johnson.  The last two championship matches featured Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant.  Can you see it in your mind’s eye, Jayson Tatum, and LeBron James?  Hold on there a minute, we must arrive there first before we can begin this revisit.   

He changed the game---Michael Jordan changed the NBA in a manner you probably were not aware.  Once upon a time the NBA contained a rule allowing teams to only wear basketball shoes largely white or black, at that time most players wore Converse Chuck Taylors which are now fashion item.  Back then they were the top of the line basketball shoe.  It’s believed 1972 saw the first basketball shoes manufactured in leather,

One more shoe innovation would occur indirectly due to Michael Jordan. The Air Jordan 1 was introduced in 1985 but banned by the NBA based on the rules in effect at the time.  The Red and Black shoe was banned because the NBA had a 51% white rule in effect and these shoes violated league rules.  Most interesting in the later part of the 20^th Century we witness guys on the same team don’t often wear the same color shoes anymore.  There you have it one more example MJ changed the NBA game.