Basketball from a fan perspective

Spending others money--- We’ve heard for several years it’s always easy to spend someone else’s money, that is the case with this account.  Laker reserve guard Avery Bradley chose to remain at home rather than travel to Orlando with the team once the NBA season re-started.  We read two different versions as to why, but this is not intended to be a decider on that matter, the issue before us is a championship ring. 

Should Bradley receive a ring since he never played after suspension of play?  The NBA season was suspended in March 2020, at the time the Lakers were in first place in the Pacific Division.  Reserve guard Bradley was a key contributor allowing the team to race in front.  We read Bradley is reluctant to accept a championship ring which is understandable.  Hopefully, the decision will be in the hands of the Lakers and not Bradley, stay tuned on this one.       

Too much blame but not enough credit---The headline is an adage one generally applied to basketball and specifically the NBA.  It simply states, “When a team is losing often the coach is blamed far too much but when they win the coach usually receives little credit.”  That is the case for Tyronn Lue, he replaced David Blatt in the middle of the Cavs 2015-16 season and led them to become NBA champions.  His next two seasons witnessed the team playing in the finals but losing twice.  After an 0-6 start Lue was fired in the 2018-19 season, he returned to work for Doc Rivers this time with the Clippers. 

Lue’s name is mentioned for at least two head coaching positions and then we heard it.  “It’s easy to coach when you have LeBron James on your team”, we heard the same statement regarding the Pat Riley Showtime Lakers and the Heatles with Erik Spoelstra too.  We are yet to hear it regarding Frank Vogel’s tenure with the Lakers however its coming just wait awhile.  Superstar players don’t always agree with the play the head coach might suggest but an outright refusal to run it probably ain’t happening.  As this was completed Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting the Clippers will hire Lue to replace Doc Rivers, Chauncey Billups will be his lead assistant.  The report indicates Lue will sign a 5-year contract.  

"Batman and Robin"---I love checking out stats, the totals represent the playoff series Lakers LeBron James and Anthony Davis experienced versus the Blazers, Rockets and Heat.  AD averaged 27.7 points per game just edging past LeBron who close at 27.6 points. AD barely outshot LeBron from the floor 57.1% to LeBron 56%, LeBron’s rebound total exceeded AD 10.8 per game to 9.7.   As you can see the numbers of both are similar excepting the assists, LeBron played the point for the most part.  The difference here was wider with LeBron at 8.8 per game compared to AD’s 3.5.  The numbers clearly indicate these two superstars were close across the board.    

What’s his name---This is a re-visit from an account two years ago, I thought it worthy to be repeated.  Fat Lever played in the NBA from 1982 to 1994 most with the Nuggets.  Fat is not his name, his given name is Lafayette, according to history when they were children his younger sister couldn’t pronounce his name.  What came out of her mouth according to the family was “Fat” which stuck.  His name God Shammgod is not his name, in high school he was Shammgod Wells.  Once he enrolled at Providence, he was required to play under his given name God,

According to the account Shammgod didn’t have the $600 to change his name he decided to continue play as God Shammgod.  We have Longar Longar who played at Oklahoma and for a time with the NBA Thunder.  How about this shooter, Middle Tennessee State once had Tommy Gunn on the school’s roster at a time?  Stetson and Alabama State had a Native American player Chief Kickingstallionsims.  At least two athletes changed their names after arriving in the NBA, Ron Artest became Metta World Peace.  Word B. Free arrived in the NBA from Guilford College, he was Lloyd Free but decided to change his name.    

No asterisk---There is no argument on my part with anyone who disagrees with this take. There is no asterisk attached to the 2020 NBA Championship.  The pandemic forced the season to be played in two parts however the Lakers managed to win 71 games.  Labor issues cause the NBA season to be reduced to 66 games in 2011, in 1999 it was even fewer with 50.  This playoff would be conducted like no other, from late July through October 11 these playoffs would continue play in The Bubble. 

No family, no friends just your teammates for nearly 4 months, late in the playoffs a few family members were permitted in after quarantine.  There was no travel but imagine playing a game boarding a bus and arriving at the same hotel of the team you just played.  That scenario didn’t play out in all circumstances but occurred occasionally.  The playoffs were not played any different first team to 4 wins, a clear advantage no travel.  If teams were able to play at home would the outcome have been different.  That might indeed be the case however with the pandemic that was not possible.