Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Dallas

There is on-going drama in Dallas, but this time JR, Sue Ellen and Bobby are not the principal characters. Okay I understand several reading this might be too young to remember the classic television series by that name, it was broadcast from 1978 to 1991. This has nothing to do with that except Dallas is also the location of our story. Where to begin, how about Mavs superstar guard/forward Luka Doncic. Luka is upset, Donnie’s been fired and now Rick has resigned, okay we’ll attempt to detail the issues as best we can.

Why is Luka upset; he’s displeased with coach Rick Carlisle. Perhaps that factor alone might have been one of the driving forces in Carlisle resigning after 13 years on the job. Luka is also upset Donnie Nelson serving as general manager for the Mavs over 20 years was fired. It was Nelson’s scouting that brought Luka to the Mavs attention and later the draft, it’s reported the two have a close relationship. Appearing to be in the middle of this turmoil is a name unfamiliar to most of us outside of Dallas, his name Haralobos Voulgaris.

Voulgaris is the Mavs Director of Quantitative Research and Development and former professional gambler, according to reports Voulgaris has owner Mark Cuban’s ear. Don’t become confused this apparent drama is not being blamed on him alone, it appears there are bunches of moving parts. We have been reading since the Mavs ended their playoff run Kristaps Porzingis is also unhappy. Despite the apparent turmoil its reported Luka wants to sign an extension with the Mavs as he approaches free agency.  There are issues that impact us we have no guarantee of their outcome, same here there is no intent on my part to confirm Luka remains part of the Mavs future. We must continue to scrutinize this story as it develops over the next few days and weeks. 

Once upon a time

Major league baseball and NFL football once witnessed blockbuster trades, they are mostly a thing of the past now. Large scale player movement comes in the form of free agency rather than trading partners. Trades still transpire in those sports but certainly not to the degree they once did, only the NBA remains in the epic trade business. In a sign and trade deal the Celtics acquired Kemba Walker in July 2019; on Friday, a month short of two years Walker is on his way to the Thunder. Moving to the Celtics in the trade are Al Horford who returns to Boston from two years ago along with Moses Brown, also part of the package are a 2021 first round pick and a 2025 second round pick. On the surface it would appear the Celtics are the winner in this trade receiving help in the form of three players immediately and one in three years.

Rule No. 9

I didn’t know the number however I was aware it existed. What is Rule No. 9, this rule provides specifics on the amount of time a shooter must take for his shot from the free throw line. 1. “The shooter shall be above the free throw line and within the upper half of the free throw He shall attempt the free throw within 10 seconds of controlling the ball in such a way that the ball enters the basket or touches the ring.” This is brought to your attention due to the inordinate amount of time it’s taking Giannis Antetokounmpo to shoot his free-throws. Giannis has two areas of his game that often betray this talented power forward, shooting from distance and his shot from the line. In closing my research proved fruitless, I remember a game an official stepped in because the shooter was taking too long. The ball was awarded to the opposition, unfortunately I am unable to locate it. 

https://official.nba.com rule-no-9-free-throws-and penalties

Not gonna do it…well

It’s unfair to compare a present-day player with one of the past. We do it all the time, we do it because it places that player side by side with the veteran. We can foresee how that player might adapt to play in the NBA. Of course, we know it’s not fair or even accurate, but we do it all the time. With the disclaimer up front here goes. Oklahoma State point guard Cade Cunningham versus Magic Johnson, how do they compare? Most likely when the draft is held July 29 the first name commissioner Silver announces is that of Cunningham.

Magic stands 6 foot 9 inches, Cunningham 6 foot 8, we realize Magic’s gained weight since his retirement however his play weight was 225 pounds the same as Cunningham.  It appears Cunningham is a better shooter from the floor while Magic is a better assist man, they are excellent at the free throw line at 80%+. Magic was the top pick in the 1979 draft by the Lakers, Cunningham will be the top pick by the Rockets, Pistons, Magic or Thunder. Magic had an advantage; he was drafted by the Lakers who were a +.500-playoff team. None of the teams in the Cunningham sweepstakes are anywhere close to that level of play.