Basketball from a fan perspective 

Another opening –--This could be associated with the story below, Sunday afternoon Mike D’Antoni informed the Rockets he will not return next season.  We cannot state this move is shocking, in my opinion his team’s always under perform.  The history of D’Antoni teams finds them always loaded to the ceiling offensively but seem to lack a defensive posture. 

There is plenty of finger pointing regarding the Rockets, as for D’Antoni his contract was up, and they could have given him extension at any point.  We cannot make a similar statement regarding GM Daryl Morey; his moves might be called into question as well.  I could be incorrect with this next observation, if that is the case it will be corrected later.  It is my understanding Morey being the analytical guy was a partner in the Rockets downsizing the team.  Stay tuned for further developments regarding the Rockets story.  

“Gone Fishin’” ---I borrowed the term from the TNT crew, they use the term when an NBA team is playoff eliminated.  The reference is the Rockets of Houston who were defeated 119-96 and in the series 4 games to 1.  I believed and even posted on social media, “the Rockets would emerge from the tunnel on fire, they would shoot lights out facing elimination.”  Just the opposite occurred, with the Lakers on fire and the Rockets unable to garner any offense.  It was 35-20 Lakers after the first quarter and 62-51 at the half. 

The Lakers never appeared in serious trouble at any point during the game although the Rockets managed to sink several 3-point baskets.  The Lakers managed to beat the Rockets at their own game shooting 51.4 from 3 (overall 52.7) versus the Rockets 26.5 from 3 and from the floor 37.1 for the Rockets.  The Rockets outscored the Lakers in the paint but that was about all.  Anthony Davis only scored 13 points pulling down 11 rebounds, but they didn’t require him to score Saturday evening.  The Lakers now wait the winner of the Clippers-Nuggets series.    

Walk it back---The term has come into common usage over the past few years.  It simply implies a person or persons makes a statement then must clarify or apologize for the declaration.  That is the case for ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith except he didn’t say I’m sorry he attempted to clarify his Steve Nash statement.  Even Charles Barkley came at him informing Smith his “white privilege “comment regarding Nash was off base.  We are all wrong at a point (even me), several have an issue with admitting they were wrong and in this instance, Smith is one of them. 

To refresh your memory or inform others Smith on his ESPN program claimed Nash was hired by the Nets as head coach due to white privilege.  It was pointed out Nash had no prior coaching experience which is true.  It’s often said, “A point guard is an extension of the coach on the court” and that certainly applies to Nash.  As for the experience factor we pointed out several first-time black coaches hired with no previous coaching experience.  So, for Smith there was no walk-back he lives by the words he expressed. 

Can’t teach height---Despite the fact there exists small ball in the NBA there is still a requirement for Big Men in the game.  Tacko Fall is on the roster of the Celtics, there remains debate if he becomes an everyday player since this is his rookie season.  Tack actually shrunk when measured at the NBA Combine last year, he stands 7 feet 5 inches and 311 pounds.  Yao Ming retired in 2011, at the time he arrived in the NBA he was measured 7 foot 6 inches and 310 pounds.   

Shawn Bradley played for the Sixers and Mavs from 1993 through the 2005 season, he too stood 7-6.  Manute Bol played for several NBA teams in a career running from 1985-1994, Bol also was 7-6.  Finally, we arrived at the tallest player in NBA history, George Muresan from Romania.  Muresan played for the Bullets and Nets in a career from 1993-2000, Muresan played at 7 feet 7 inches and 315 pounds.  There are athletes taller than mentioned here, this focus was those exceptionally tall athletes with NBA careers.  Teams will continue to search out Big Men talent because as they say, you can’t teach height.