Basketball from a fan perspective

“They hired who?” ---There is one less head coaching position open, on Tuesday the Pacers announced the hiring of Nate Bjorkgren.  Are you like me asking the question “They hired who?”  What’s the story on the newly selected coach, he’s served as an assistant on the staff of Nick Nurse Raptors coach?  Bjorkgren played college basketball but went undrafted by the NBA, he turned to coaching and was successful in the G-League winning a championship.  The new coach was an assistant with the Suns prior to Nurse adding him to the Raptors staff.  The Pacers finished last season with a 45-28 record so Bjorkgren’s got a good team that can only improve if the right moves are made.  Good luck Coach Bjorkgren next season. 

2011--- Was 9 years ago, Chris Paul was 26 years old then.  Paul is 35 now, the time has been good for Paul despite playing for 3 times.  If you remember the history in 2011 the Lakers made a trade acquiring Paul from the Pelicans (Hornets).  David Stern then NBA commissioner voided the trade in his words “In the best interest of the NBA.”  We fast forward to 2020 and a report of Paul’s friend LeBron James. 

It’s reported LeBron would like to turn over a portion of his point guard responsibilities to Paul.  On the surface the prospect of Paul joining this championship Laker squad sounds exhilarating.  The downsize, what must the Lakers surrender to acquire Paul, the salary issues could be worked out.  This Laker Nation remember is looking 2-3 years beyond when LeBron and others are history.  We certainly have no idea of free agency however we could look toward drafting and developing talent. 

Do you remember---Felipe Lopez appeared to have all the tools for a successful NBA career.  LeBron James did but so did Lopez, i.e. appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated while in high school.  Born in the Dominican Republic his parents emigrated to this country when Lopez was 14-years old.  This 6-foot 5-inch shooting guard became a New York City sensation playing at Rice High School in Harlem (NY). 

Lopez would later become a McDonald’s All American and had his choice of schools to attend, he would remain home choosing to play for St. John’s University.  The choice to remain home proved successful, Lopez was productive during his four years at St. John’s, Lopez was made the number 24 pick in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies located in Vancouver chose him to lead the franchise and that’s where his basketball career began to slow.  The NBA game proved more difficult; he was never able to gain any traction. 

Lopez was gone after 4 years and two NBA teams, he continued to play for several teams throughout the Caribbean, but his NBA dreams became just that…dreams.  Did New York hype build him up to be more talented than he was, we cannot answer that question?  Despite a lackluster NBA career Lopez enjoys life, an account surfaced a few years ago indicating the 45-year old Lopez travels back and forth between the U.S. and the Dominican.  He gives back to the people from whence he came, outstanding on his part. 

Bits n Pieces---“You got em both on the floor, standing 6’ 10” and 6’ 11”.  I don’t know what everyone else is pretending to look at, but I don’t know who is going to stop them...”  This is a tweet from former NBA player Gilbert Arenas sent August 2019.  He was commenting on the arrival of Anthony Davis to the Laker lineup joining LeBron James.  This is the counter to LaVar Ball’s prediction claiming the Lakers would never win a championship after trading son Lonzo.    

Former Celtic great Bill Russell has 11 championship rings won during his NBA career; did you realize there is an individual with more rings than Russell?  Phil Jackson won 2 rings in 1970 and 1973 while a member of the Knicks.  He would win an additional 11 rings while head coach of the Bulls and Lakers.      

We are entitled to our opinions, not our own history.  You would be amazed, on the other hand perhaps not.  The number of letter writers providing us their opinion over the facts, I know I’ve made errors however they have been errors of omission rather than commission. 

Actor, comedian Michael Rapaport is a life-long Knicks fan, despite this fact he was recently interviewed on one of the sports talk programs discussing the NBA.  Once the discussion moved to Doc Rivers and the Sixers Rapaport said, “He (Doc) is now Glenn there can be only one Doc in Philadelphia.”  Of course, he was referencing Hall of Fame forward Julius “Doctor J.” Erving.