Words eye view

Basketball from a fan perspective

I’m just the messenger

After being taken to the woodshed and being spanked thoroughly by Ole Miss we in Mizzou Nation received a second surprise.  An SI.com story detailed 8 teams that could be crowned NCAA champion in April.  I scanned the piece, and it contained the usual suspects, Gonzaga, Baylor, and several others.  Surprise, surprise as I continued to read my eyes dropped to the bottom of the page there it was…Mizzou.  No need to read the why they chose to include Mizzou just completely shocked to see them placed in the company of 7 other potential NCAA champions, go figure if you wish.     

“Err on the side of caution”

These age-old words of wisdom certainly apply to the subject you are about to read.  As this is written Laker Anthony Davis has missed 2 games with his Achilles issue.  He was at practice on Thursday however there is no reported time when he should return to the lineup but I’m okay with that, unfortunately I’ve become one of those fans who looks at the playoffs rather than the regular season.  It’s been concluded by me the Lakers can earn a playoff berth and from there the championship is a possibility. 

Notice nowhere did I state the Lakers were guaranteed a championship, they must play enough winning basketball to earn a finals trip.  As for AD he stated his numbers are slightly down from last season and they might be.  Part of the reason is Schroeder/Harrell, the arrival of Dennis Schroeder and Montrezl Harrell added to the roster have provided more offense translated more shots.  AD and Lebron are going to continue their leadership role in scoring however these two and others take up some of the numbers AD received last season.  I want AD to heal so he is fully ready to compete, no requirement to rush him back in the lineup…chill to the next episode.  NOTE:  As this was headed to publishing came word AD would be in the lineup Friday evening, his minutes restriction are unknown.  

Kareem Abdul Jabbar award   

I came across this while surfing the net, perhaps several reading this had prior knowledge I didn’t.  The Naismith Hall of Fame annually awards the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award to the top collegiate center.  Just a few of the candidates this season include Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky, Kofi Cockburn, Illinois Luke Garza, Iowa and Liam Robbins, Minnesota and 15 other centers on the list.

According to website information a candidate can play his way on or off the list prior to the award being issued.  Research indicates the first year of the award was 2015, last year’s winner was Garza now in his senior year.  This award is noteworthy in an aspect, despite the fact small ball has become the norm the center remains an important part of the game.  Everything in the world cycles, at some point in the future skilled Big Men will assume the role they once held again.    

I hate to read stories of this type

There remain stories of someone falling through the cracks.  Provisions are made (at least you believe they are) for everyone and then you read this.  There are 108 former ABA players who did not qualify for a pension.  When the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976 remaining ABA players not with the Nets, Pacers, Spurs and Nuggets were drafted by existing NBA teams.  As for others not included in the merger, we lost track of them, where did they go? 

Some went to Europe to continue playing pro basketball, others latched on to NBA teams for one or two years but didn’t play long enough to be included in the NBA’s pension plan. An NBA player is vested after 3 years and could earn at age 62 a minimum of $56,000 annually, naturally the longer you play the larger the pension.  That is the issue, there are 108 former ABA players who failed to qualify, they played in the ABA but less than 3 years.  As indicated most led ordinary lives after their playing days were over, many qualified for pensions from their life career. 

As for others it has not been so good, health issues have plagued a number, and some are destitute.  Dropping Dimes Foundation is an organization designed to aid these former ABA players.  The founder is in discussions with the NBA to offer some form of assistance.  Keep in mind most of these former players range in age from 68 years through their 80’s.  Hopefully, the NBA is just not waiting for them to die.