Basketball from a fan’s perspective

“Price is what you pay.  Value is what you get.”  Warren Buffett

What about Emoni Bates

The talk has ebbed regarding wunderkind Emoni Bates, his junior year playing for YPSI Prep has seen him play unevenly. Please note, nowhere in that prior sentence did I state he wasn’t talented. This is an observation by a guy who “thinks” he knows basketball.  Unlike several of you I haven’t had the opportunity to see Bates live, I’ve been reduced to television which doesn’t always present the best picture.  I’ve seen him in action in 3 games and in all he appeared to be pressing, placing undue pressure on himself. When the world is positioned at your fingertips in the 8^th grade, we can believe an inordinate amount of worry lies with the athlete.

In his sophomore year of high school, we read accounts like this, “He will be ready for the NBA by the time he is a senior.” Talk like that has got to be burdensome, especially for a 17-year-old. There is no method on my part to connect with the young man, but this would be my advice. I don’t remember the NBA player, but he stated, “ESPN is not on in my house” and that should become the practice of Bates and his family. Discount all the stuff in front of you because it could cause you to stumble and fall. Finally, if it’s Michigan State that becomes his choice there is a belief a great deal of weight will be lifted just a bit.  At Michigan State Bates will not be expected to carry that team, he won’t be the focus as existed at Ypsilanti Lincoln and now YPSI Prep. NOTE: As this account was completed came this announcement. "Emoni Bates has de-committed from Michigan State," where he is headed at this point is a guess however its certainly not another college.   

It’s the fault of Magic

At the time Magic Johnson arrived in the NBA in 1979 with the Lakers he set two standards. The first, NBA success at the highest level with multiple championships won by the Lakers.  Second, at 6 foot 9 he would become the tallest point guard in NBA history. Magic was the same height as most small forwards an several power forwards of the era.  Naturally the on-court success of Magic led numerous teams attempt to duplicate the Lakers accomplishments by drafting tall point guards.  Penny Hardaway (6-7), Jalen Rose (6-8) Shaun Livingston (6-7), plus Kyle Anderson who stands 6 foot 9 all those named are point guards, there may have been others, but these come to mind without research. 

Do we add the name of Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham to the group, he’s entered the 2021 NBA draft?  Does Cunningham become a point guard in the NBA or play another position? The question is posed based on what occurred regarding Rose and Anderson, both were drafted as point guards but would spend much of their NBA career playing either small or power forward. Cunningham’s height and weight mirror those of Rose and Anderson, in addition there remains a question. We believe Cunningham is talented enough to play at the NBA level however can he play the point effectively? That question and more must wait until the draft and eventually the NBA season for that answer. You can see how the emphasis on tall point guards first began if we could blame anyone it’s the fault of Magic and his NBA accomplishments. 

The history  

At the time the late Tom Benson purchased the Hornets franchise in 2012, it was said he wanted a name closer identified to New Orleans.  He contacted the Jazz; most might not realize the “Utah” Jazz belonged to the Crescent City before the move to Salt Lake City in 1979. When the team moved the owners chose to maintain the name, I’ve never traveled there but have often wondered how many jazz clubs exist in the city.

After more than 30 years playing under the name Jazz ownership said no, although possibly turning down millions of dollars. Rejected by Jazz ownership the team settled on Pelicans as its name.  Loud belly laughs were registered by many, so I decided to uncover facts on the bird.  Research indicates this large bird with its substantial beak flies above the water swooping up fish, frogs and other water inhabitants. Eagles, hawks, owls and other flying creatures might be more ravenous than pelicans but don’t sell them short, we have no idea where they rank among birds of prey but don’t count them out. 

American Basketball Association

Earlier we discussed the American Basketball Association and the merger.  Prior to that we witnessed some of the best basketball in the nation played and it wasn’t in the NBA.  For some the ABA is a distant memory while others never witnessed its existence nor the talent it provided.  This basketball start up league began play in 1967 and the league contained several innovations now a regular part of the NBA.  The 3-point basket, the slam dunk championship at the All-Star game and others.  Noteworthy was the red and white basketball utilized by the league, how about the talent?  The first few years the play of the ABA was certainly below that of the older more established NBA. 

 In the beginning several college players might have chosen the ABA believing their skill was not good enough to play in the NBA.  Later an all-out bidding war for talent between the leagues would begin and last for several years.  The players were not as opposed to a possible merger as the owners.  NBA teams begin scheduling exhibition games against ABA teams.  Players would leave one league for the other, probably one of the most noteworthy names was Julius “Dr. J.” Erving who became a star in the ABA and carried it over when he signed with the Sixers. Connie Hawkins had been blackballed by the NBA however the ABA took him in where he became a star. 

Hawk would decide to sue the NBA and winning the judgement would begin play with the Suns.  As the talent became more equal discussions were begun to merge the leagues.  In August 1976, the leagues merge although many disagree with the term allow an explanation.  The NBA only took in the most lucrative franchises the Nuggets, Spurs, Nets and Pacers.  The remaining talent was placed in a pool, NBA teams based on their won-loss record would draft that talent.  Moses Malone, George McGinnis, George Gervin and Dr. J. are just a few of the names who would distinguish themselves in the NBA.  This concludes a brief lookback at the ABA the basketball league that change the landscape forever.