Basketball from a fan’s perspective

The reports have been greatly exaggerated

Kevin Durant is an NBA All Pro; he’s proven this fact over the course of his career.  In addition to his prowess on the court he’s suffered a great deal remaining on the court.  After missing the 2019-20 season he’s been in and out of the Nets lineup this season.  Prior to Wednesday evening we’ve not seen him in action in nearly two months.  Despite Durant being M.I.A. he proved all wrong who hinted his NBA career might be over.  Coming off the bench for the Nets was Durant, he would go 5 for 5 from the floor with 17 points along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists.      

We have new arenas

It seems every time we believe there will be no more arenas built along comes another and in this instance two.  There is no NBA team in Seattle at present although Climate Pledge Arena will open in October 2021.  Technically that’s not correct the arena opened in 1962, the former Key Arena has been completely renovated and re-designed it’s brand-new.  It will be home to the NHL Kraken and WNBA Storm and in a yet to be determined future date the return of the Sonics.  Once the Kraken begin play Climate Pledge will seat 17,100 for NHL games and 18,100 for basketball. 

The other arena we’ve reported on previously, but this is an update.  Clipper’s owner Steve Ballmer desiring to move out of the shadow of the Lakers and Staples Center is building his own arena in Inglewood.  The arena will seat 18,000 fans for Clipper games and will be constructed near Century Boulevard and Prairie Avenue.  In this day of corporate names, the yet to be named arena will hold a groundbreaking ceremony in the summer of 2021.  If all goes well construction should be complete in time for the 2024-25 NBA season.  The Clippers will finally extricate themselves from the Lakers shadow. 

Introducing the 2021 NBA Champion…Nets

The NBA season is still being played; we are yet to begin the playoffs.  Despite that statement several in the media have pronounced the Nets 2021 NBA champs.  They are now able to field a team of NBA All Stars and former All Stars.  Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge were the latest to join the Nets.  These two links with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Hardin plus a host of others. 

This is what I heard, Griffin will be satisfied with playing 10 minutes a game."  We guess the same scenario would apply for Aldridge too.  Despite the thoughts of a few NBA teams do indeed play defense.  The Nets have no trouble scoring baskets, they others..  “Griffin will be satisfied with playing 10 minutes a game.”  We guess the same scenario would apply for Aldridge too.  Despite the thoughts of a few NBA teams do indeed play defense.  The Nets have no trouble scoring baskets, they are tied for first averaging 119.0 points a game as a team.  Oh, you are question the Nets team defense?  The Nets sit at number 25 in the league giving up an average of 114.2 points a game.  Can they win a championship...of course they can?   

I listened to Mike DeCourcy

If you are not familiar with the name, he is the reporter for The Sporting News, he covers college basketball for the publication.  DeCourcy is one of the voices I believe has the information except in this case.  On one of the local sports talk programs, he provided us his opinion on the penalty facing Kansas basketball over the Adidas trial.  DeCourcy believes the issue is behind the school based on the length of time the NCAA is rendering a decision. 

He went on to state those involved were on the periphery and not directly affiliated with the program.  This is one of the rare occasions I disagree with DeCourcy because I believe Kansas will be punished severely.  Five Level 1 penalties have been levied at Kansas involving the Adidas trial.  “Level 1 violations can include penalties such as postseason bans, show-cause orders against coaches and scholarship reductions as the most serious one the NCAA considers.” 

It should be of note the NCAA has four violations with Level 5 being the most serious of the number.  What I could foresee, a reduction in the number of charges although all five will not be dismissed.  If for some unexplained reason Kansas escapes without any punishment we know one thing for sure.  The NCAA is all talk with no power, always willing to render judgement on smaller programs but afraid to penalize Duke, North Carolina or Kansas basketball.