Basketball from a fan’s perspective

What’s a legacy?

It’s clear Max Kellerman of ESPN and me are not on the same page. I’ve always believed legacy was a thing established by the individual. No one I thought could tarnish another’s image or at least that’s what I believed. Enter Kellerman with an opposing view, before I cover this allow me to apologize up front. If you saw Godfather III, you remember the line by Michael (Al Pacino) Corleone? “Just when I thought I was out. They pull me back in.” By discussing this issue, I am providing Kellerman undeserved publicity and forcing me to name media names again. 

I have no issue with you checking YouTube to see if I covered this correctly so here goes. Kellerman claims, “LeBron James has messed up the legacy of Steph Curry.” He went on to state despite Steph’s greatness it had been usurped by LeBron in their playoff matchups, Andre Iguodala is named MVP in one championship and Kevin Durant in another, still a third and LeBron is awarded the honor. With teammates being named MVP of the series that must point out the Warriors won, which says Curry won too. I believe an individual can impact his or her legacy in a negative way, unless it’s something bizarre no man or woman can affect it. What do you think, am I off base on this?

Last chance

Chris Paul is age 36 and nearing the end of a brilliant NBA career; the window is slowly closing on his championship aspirations. It would appear this is the year of the championship or at least that’s the view of many. The diminutive point guard has moved quite a bit during his NBA career the Suns become his 5^th team. Of all the moves over his career the time he spent with the Clippers may have been his best opportunity to win other than the Lakers. The Lakers, when did he play for them, you might ask, more on that later? His time in New Orleans while productive he spent time on several bad teams.

The time with the Rockets was strange as well there were pieces but no cohesiveness. With the Thunder was a throwaway, the Suns were a good time but have become much better now that he’s in Phoenix. As for the Lakers he was traded to them in 2011 but it was voided by then NBA commissioner David Stern. The trade was cancelled "in the best interest of the NBA" was the statement given at the time. Can you imagine 25-year-old Chris Paul in the backcourt with Kobe Bryant who just turned 33. Center Andrew Bynum had his head on straight back. The Lakers would patch the remainder of the lineup together having lost Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom in the trade that brought them Chris Paul. 

Hope springs eternal

Will “The Big Ticket” somehow be involved with the Wolves once the sale is finalized? We’ve devoted a couple of columns to former Yankee A-Rod and Richard Lore purchase of the Wolves and Lynx. You remember Kevin Garnett stated on more than one occasion his desire to purchase the team. Somehow, someway he and owner Glen Taylor parted ways on the sale, and it was never consummated. Once it was announced the owner had reached an agreement with prospective owners, we believed the story was at an end until.

Fast forward to the induction ceremonies at the Naismith Hall of Fame, Garnett was one of the honorees. During a portion of his acceptance speech, Garnett said, and I paraphrase, “I look forward to rebuilding Minneapolis.” The area has been rocked by civil demonstrations the last several months but is basically intact. What was meant by Garnett when he said “I” and “rebuild”, is he going to be involved in some capacity in the future once the sale is finalized? This question will remain that for a period however we should continue to monitor further developments.  

The saga continues

You remember Mac McClung don’t you, the young man unsure of his future? He left Georgetown for Texas Tech played a season then announced he was transferring. Then it was “I’m submitting my name for the NBA draft” and later “I’m returning to Texas Tech.” All this movement came in matter of a few weeks. Now McClung indicates he is not withdrawing his name, he will remain in the draft. For this writer I will never say never however it is going to be a gigantic stretch for him to reach the NBA.

McClung’s been described as a shooting guard in a point guards body, the only problem he’s not a point. He’s not even on the combo level, now for the “Never say never.” I introduce you to Laker guard Alex Caruso who went undrafted in the 2016 draft. Caruso would wind up with the Lakers through a free agency signing and G-League play. Of course, he must have worked on the skills needed for an NBA job providing proof he could play at this level although it would be a backup role.