Basketball from a fan’s perspective

"When you don't have practice time and you get away with winning some games, you get a false sense of who you are." Larry Brown, former college and NBA coach

Why the NBA never, well hardly ever returns

Two friends, Jerome responded “He’d like to see the NBA return to KC.” Alex said, “The NBA never returns once they leave.” The following is inspired by their posts, there might be other reasons why the NBA fails to return to a particular location. This is no criticism of the cities however the NBA will never return to Syracuse, Sheboygan or the Quad Cities. As for larger metropolitan portions of the nation, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Baltimore, San Diego and Seattle all have lost NBA franchises over the years.

In 1960 the Minneapolis Lakers relocated to Los Angeles and 29 years later the NBA would return as the expansion Minnesota Wolves came into existence. The Chicago Packers were born in 1961 and by 1963 they were on the road to Baltimore where they were re-named the Bullets and much later moved to the Washington D.C. area. The team would move into the city and a name change and they became the Wizards. In 2002 the Charlotte franchise moved to New Orleans, in 2004 an NBA expansion franchise was awarded the city and thus the NBA returned. This report should not be considered complete, there are an uncounted number of reasons why the NBA has failed to return to an area.

Certainly, at the top of the list is an owner or ownership group willing to underwrite the cost of an expansion team. It is posed in this manner because it’s my belief the days of franchise moves are likely over. Expansion will occur for one reason $$$, we read NBA owners will acquire large sums of money once the league expands again. Best guess Seattle will be awarded a franchise; a second team will be added for balance. That second team will be in the City of _____________. This is not an in depth study simply a look for a preliminary explanation of the issue. UPDATE: The NBA placed an expansion team in San Diego, the Rockets would eventually move to Houston were they remain to this day. The Buffalo Braves later moved to the city but would proceed to Los Angeles a few years in the future. 

Bits n Pieces 

The columbiamissourian.com through CBS Insider Jon Rothstein reports Mizzou will be a participant in the 2021 Jacksonville Classic. No date was included in the announcement however this is supposed to be a four-team tournament. Also noted as possible opponents are Florida State, SMU and Loyola Marymount. 

The deal is finally done, A-Rod and his business partner Marc Lore have now finalized the sale from owner Glen Taylor to purchase the Wolves. The reported sale price was $1.5 billion and there was an important component required. The franchise must remain in Minnesota, in addition the sale also includes the WNBA Lynx. The sale must be approved by the NBA and its Board of Governors. 

In a surprise TNT announced Chris Webber is no longer with the network. The former NBA player turned announcer was insightful and added much knowledge to games. It is reported Webber's contract was up at the end of the season but there was also a rift between the parties going back to the NCAA Tournament coverage. I will miss Webber hopefully he will show up in another format.    

I’m taking the shot, no matter

Laker guard Talen Horton-Tucker took the shot, it was a 3-point basket that beat the Knicks in Tuesdays OT win. Almost missed in the win, the Laker second year man was being guarded by Derrick Rose. Okay you missed the significance of the event besides the win, so did I until it was pointed out. We had one Chicago guy sinking the winning basket over another Chicago guy. Truth is Horton-Tucker said he’d grown up with Rose as his idol, didn’t matter though. Horton-Tucker likely said to himself, “I’m taking the shot, no matter who is guarding me.” 

This is amazing story in a sense if we stop a moment, Horton-Tucker was the 46th pick in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft. Do you realize the significance of that, he was 14^th from the bottom of the draft yet he demonstrates skill far beyond what might be expected based on his draft position? The Lakers didn’t draft Horton-Tucker, that honor belonged to the Orlando Magic. A draft night trade sent him to the Lakers for a 2020 second round pick and cash considerations. The scout who spotted Horton-Tucker certainly should be due a huge bonus by the organization.

Luke Patrick, I am your father

Patrick Baldwin Jr. is one of the last of the undeclared 2020 prospects, he was to announce his college choice on Wednesday. This Rivals 5-star talent and number 4 player in the nation had several Blue Blood programs offering him a scholarship, among them Duke, Georgetown, Kentucky, Kansas and others. Announcement time and Baldwin Jr. chose to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee out of the Horizon League.

WHAT, he could have chosen any number of schools, but he chose this one…why? If you are affiliated in some manner this is not a slap at the basketball program or the school. Did you catch the hint to the classic Star Wars movie, I’m sure a few of you reading this read the headline and said, ha’? In the same manner of Cade Cunningham choosing Oklahoma State over others the 6-foot 9-inch Baldwin Jr. made his decision based on his bloodline. Patrick Baldwin Jr. will play at Milwaukee where Patrick Baldwin Sr. is head men’s basketball coach. So there we have the answer to our question.