Basketball from a fan’s perspective      

Bits n Pieces-We have a new owner in the NBA, and he is a former superstar.  Dwayne Wade announced he’s purchased an ownership stake in the Utah Jazz, Wade further states he intends to take an active role with the team although he is a minor owner.  Wade now joins Shaq (Kings) and Michael Jordan (Hornets) former players who became NBA owners.   

“I’ve been poor, and I’ve been rich, I’ve been skinny, and I’ve been fat, and one thing I can tell you is that the Clippers have always sucked.”  The memorable words of one Charles Wade Barkley of Leeds Alabama.  Should we suppose, the Clippers will place this on their bulletin board to remind Barkley when they win it all?   

Our count-indicates 56 head coaches have left the job voluntarily, they have been hired at other schools, but a few have been terminated since the end of the college basketball season.  Our count begins alphabetically with A being Abilene Christian and ends with W as in Winthrop.  Just a few of the replacements are listed below and not in order.  Longtime NBA coach and veteran Mike Woodson is now the head man at Indiana. 

Richard Pitino was asked to leave but landed on his feet at New Mexico, can Porter Moser bring the magic to Oklahoma as he did with Loyola Chicago?  Shaka Smart moves from Texas to Marquette while Tommy Lloyd former Gonzaga assistant will replace Sean Miller at Arizona, finally Kim English takes over the George Mason program.  Naturally with the number mentioned it is impractical to list all however the desire was to highlight just a few of the coaches.   

This is surprising news-Michael Jordan will be the presenter for the late Kobe Bryant’s induction in the Naismith Hall of Fame on May 15.  According to information released past presenters have not been obligated to speak.  In the case of posthumous awards, the presenter will be duty-bound to give a speech.  As this is written it is unclear who accepts the award for Kobe, at this point it is unclear if Vanessa Bryant will be in attendance or someone else to receive the honor.

That’s a good question-Often an account is read, and it quickly goes away in the mind.  Sometimes the brakes are applied, and this is certainly one that brought me to a screeching halt.  A writer claimed Carolina coach Roy Williams retired because he couldn't coach 21st Century athletes.  First consideration Williams is 70 years old an age when most Americans are retired or considering it.  The last two teams played unlike Carolina ball finishing 32-30 overall.  Despite the barely .500 record the accusation is probably untrue regarding Williams. 

The basketball landscape changed but not due to a failure to coach.  The first and most significant change might have been the pandemic cloud which hovered above college basketball.  The second which is also speculative is the changing landscape of the game.  The Blue Blood programs appear to no longer dominate recruiting.  Most of the basketball talent continues to matriculate at Blue Blood schools but the dominance they once held has ebbed.  Despite the last two seasons Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams will continue to be listed in the pantheon of great college basketball coaches.