Basketball from a fan’s perspective

“I don’t get no respect”

The line above is from the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield but also belongs to Paul George or something similar according to him. His monster game (41 points, 13 rebounds & 6 assists) led the way to a 116-103 victory over the Suns. I’m not sure the timing of his statement to the media but we guess it occurred after the game, he claims to be like Dangerfield. PG alone managed to stave off the Clippers being eliminated in the Western Conference Finals.

“It’s a fact I’m picked on more than other stars.” That might be considered a strong statement from PG however I believe he’s probably about three or four places behind Kevin Durant then Russell Westbrook. The leader of course is LeBron James although I seriously doubt if PG believes that. Part of the “no respect” can be laid at the feet of PG, there is no argument regarding his talent he is truly an exceptional athlete. What we see he’s come up short on several occasions when called on to step up. I applaud his effort in this game, with no Kawhi can PG lead the Clippers back from the edge of the cliff?

Why now?

Former Bulls great Scottie Pippen is much in the news, he’s accused his former coach Phil Jackson of being racist. On the surface that’s certainly a strong statement but why now? Pippen points out two past events as his measuring stick. After the Laker threepeat Phil Jackson left but later returned to win in 2009 and 2010. During the time he wasn’t coaching the Lakers Jackson wrote a book which was somewhat critical of Kobe Bryant, that’s one. Item two, in the 1994 playoffs the coach detailed a plan whereby Toni Kukoc would take what became the winning shot.

Pippen was agitated at the plan with the ball going to Kukoc rather than him, when the timeout concluded Pippen refused to return to the court. Pippen’s decided there where racist reasons for Kukoc to take the shot, on the other hand consider this possibility. Michael Jordan had left the Bulls to play baseball, could Jackson be utilizing Pippen as a decoy? Fact, Pippen was certainly closer to Jackson than me or any other lay person. The question will other Bulls players come to the aid of Pippen and affirm his view?  The final question, is this new “news” based on the Pippen book? Is he attempting to drive up book sales? We know for a fact he was not pleased at his portrayal in the documentary The Last Dance, we shall see how this eventually plays out.

Globetrotters in the NBA

I’m unsure how to take this, are they serious or is there an underlying story here? In case you were not aware recently the Harlem Globetrotters contacted the NBA wanting to be granted franchise status. This world traveling entertainment team has a historical connection to the NBA. It was said back in the “minor league” days of the NBA the Trotters would often play the first game of a double-header, the NBA in the nightcap. It was said many attendees left after the entertaining Trotters played their game leaving little crowd for the NBA team.

That was then this is now; the Trotters no longer have the appeal they once did despite the fact several NBA pioneers played with them. How about Wilt Chamberlain who left Kansas prior to his senior season, it was different then. He would play for the Trotters for one season and then the NBA where he would become a legend. The Hawk, the fabled Connie Hawkins banned by the NBA in 1961, it was play for the Trotters or he would have been forced to sit at home. Back then there was no Euro basketball, no G-League or any other method to play basketball. These two and others were allowed to refine their basketball skills before eventually playing the pro game. I hope this is not misconstrued, I’m not anti-Globetrotters I’m just not sure why the NBA and especially now.  

Best of the best

If we discussed the best college basketball programs over the past 10 years where is Gonzaga?  If I said they have the 4^th best record in that time frame is that surprising? Although the school is a Division, I program they are often ignored by most college basketball fans, and the question might be why? There are several factors to consider the why. The Bulldogs play in the Pacific Time Zone, games are not highlighted on SportsCenter. West Coast Conference basketball is not viewed in the same manner of the Big XII or ACC.

 

The Bulldogs play in the Pacific Time Zone, games are not highlighted on SportsCenter.

West Coast Conference basketball is not viewed in the same manner of the Big XII or ACC

      Why is there no item 3, because in my view there are only two valid reasons why Gonzaga basketball receives no love. If you care you can provide item 3 for the basis of little respect. Over the span of 10 years Gonzaga has won 314 games while losing 82. There are few programs with that type of winning record over the time frame mentioned, Kentucky, Kansas and maybe Duke but few others. Don’t expect Gonzaga to be undefeated going into the NCAA Tournament as in 2021 but they will be in attendance.

July 29

The NBA draft will be here before we realize it, which talent are MY Lakers probably checking?  We have no inside information just mock draft sites, to add to the confusion 5 mock draft sites have the Lakers drafting 5 different players. With that comment here are the names:

Ziarie Williams-6-foot 8 small forward Stanford (former teammate of Bronny James)

Miles McBride 6-2-point guard West Virginia

Cam Thomas 6-5-shooting guard LSU

Isaiah Jackson 6-10-center Kentucky

Chris Duarte 6-6-guard Oregon

Confused, I certainly am and for good reason. Each of these talents might provide a different dynamic to the Lakers.  I have no idea who they chose however this I certainly would like to see; this draft choice be developed in the same manner as Talen Horton-Tucker.  Given playing time this draft choice could eventually move into the starting lineup. We shall see what occurs on July 29 because it could be someone completely different. The hope is they don’t trade the pick unless it’s for a proven veteran who can aid the cause.