Basketball from a fan perspective

Figure this one out---Billy Donovan is just messing with me, Tuesday morning I published a story indicating the coach was possibly headed back to the college ranks, but it might be awhile before he takes a job.  Then BAM, Tuesday afternoon comes the announcement Donovan will become head coach of the Bulls.  This move is strange for several reasons and perhaps the most unusual is this. 

Donovan left a Thunder team which finished 44-28 and earned a playoff berth. He’s now become the head man of a Bulls team which finished with almost the reverse record of 22-43 and was nowhere near earning a playoff berth.  Second to that I speculated Donovan would give himself time away from the game before returning to the flaming cauldron of coaching, especially at the NBA level.  Oh well, I cannot be right all the time and besides the fact my Tuesday account was titled Pure Speculation, so I get a do over here.   

His vocabulary---This is re-published from an earlier account because it’s interesting and funny to a degree.  If you lived in the New York Metro you’ve been listening to Knicks broadcaster Walt “Clyde” Frazier for several years.  Frazier played 10 seasons for the Knicks and was elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1987 and the College Basketball Hall in 2008.   

At the time the NBA honored the top 50 players of its first 50 years Frazier was one of the honorees.  Those outside the metro able to view Knick games on NBA League Pass or NBA TV are familiar with his broadcast style.  During a portion of a Knicks game Frazier used the word sagacious (suh-gey-shun s) in a description of game action. 

Most like me had no idea of the definition, it is not a word you might hear used in an NBA broadcast.  For dummies like me I decided to check the dictionary, “having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense: shrewd.”  Interesting use of the word and I guess it could be applied in an NBA game.  Thus ends, today's lesson courtesy of Walt "Clyde" Frazier.   

Sixer head coach---Anytime we are in the interview process and names are being tossed about generally I ignore the story.  I’m mentioning names because I’m a little surprised, this according to cbssports.com NBA page.  Mike D’Antoni late of the Rockets and Billy Donovan former Thunder coach.  This is just my observation, D’Antoni in my view is certainly no step up from Brett Brown. 

The Sixers will score but will they defend with him as head coach, D’Antoni must prove his teams can play defense.  As for Donovan this is almost a shocker, he’s not been hired but I believed he was more likely to return to the college ranks over another NBA job. Keep in mind neither have been hired however it remains a surprise for me both would be looking for a job so soon.  Earlier I wrote an account indicating my belief Donovan was headed back to college. 

Who replaces them--- One day it will occur; John Calipari will leave Kentucky and Roy Williams will retire at North Carolina?  Calipari is 61-years old as this is written so it might be awhile although he too could decide he’s had enough of college basketball.  Bill Self at Kansas might be the first of those mentioned to exit stage left however his might be for different reasons.  We have no idea of what occurs with Self however at age 57 he could head for an NBA job. 

Rick Pitino was fired at Louisville but after several years without a job Iona College hired the long-time coach.  In any event who replaces these coaches once they leave.  We believe the possibility of an assistant coach is highly unlikely, at one point in time that might have been the case.  Remember in 1988 when Roy Williams took over the Kansas basketball program, the announcement was met with “Roy Who”? 

Of course, he’d been a long-time assistant coach for Dean Smith at North Carolina.  Basketball programs with a national footprint are likely to lure a name coach from another major, a guy like Jay Wright at Villanova or Mark Few at Gonzaga.  In any event this is all speculation as written, not a single name (except for Self) might be on the move soon.  Nevertheless, it is worthwhile considering the future of several storied collegiate basketball programs.