Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Mr. Big Shot

During his NBA career Chauncey Billups was nicknamed “Mr. Big Shot” for his clutch shooting. Well, he’s got another job now, he’s now head coach of the Blazers. Although not official it was reported Billups will be named coach. After a career lasting 17 seasons playing for several NBA teams, he retired in 2014. Last season Billups took on the role of assistant coach for the Clippers. The former point guard had made it known for a while he wanted an opportunity to become a head coach in the NBA.

This is a good hire in more ways than one, according to reports Dame Lillard is described as pleased with the hire. Billups finds himself in the same position of Ime Udoka with the Celtics, the Blazers infused a “fresh face” into the coaching ranks. Both new hires are in a different position, they are taking the reins of winning programs. No requirement to build, just coach a bunch of talented players to become better. Good luck to Billups in this new role and I applaud the Blazer organization like the Celtics.

That’s the reported figure

It’s been reported a topic of discussion for the NBA Board of Governors January meeting will be league expansion. The 30 team NBA intends to add two teams, leaders for the expansion franchises at this point would appear to be Seattle and Las Vegas. The unofficial figure being tossed about is $2.5 billion and with that the question becomes “who can afford to own an NBA team?” Possessing an NBA team is like other enterprises, a prospective owner is certainly not required to have $2.5 billion in hand. Chances are good that owner must prove he’s got a certain amount of cash designated by the NBA for a down payment.

There must be a proven financial record indicating solvency of that individual or the partnership. The public has no working knowledge of the process, as an example that prospective owner could be allowed 5-6 years to pay in full, we just don’t know the conditions of a sale. The background check will cover more than financial viability, there is no timetable for completion of these steps. Let us just say they will be accomplished as expeditiously as possible. It was 2004 the last time the NBA expanded; the Charlotte Bobcats (Hornets) expansion team began play. In closing this little nugget for you, at the time the Kansas City Kings were sold in the mid 1980’s the sale was concluded for $10.5 million. The 2021 Sacramento Kings have a net worth of $1.83 billion, talk about inflation and other factors.

He might not seek the spotlight over others

React to this if you will, a recent publication claimed with Coach K. retiring John Calipari would become the face of college basketball. Coach K. has an ego so does Roy Williams and Mark Few, with these named coaches and others they get the job done without the national spotlight. It appears (careful Big Blue Nation) Calipari relishes the limelight. In addition to being a winning coach Calipari knows how to recruit talent. Check out how many of his players dot the NBA landscape so the coach can recruit.

Strange as it might seem I cannot imagine Calipari in the shadow of anyone including Coach K. I saw a news story almost 3 years old, asked about retirement the wily Calipari answered the question with his typical bravado. He’s a youthful 62 years of age which says he should be good for at least 3-5 more years. John Calipari is a coach who never saw a mike or camera he didn’t relish. 2020 was the first year we don’t remember seeing him at the NBA draft, he is almost always there. On the other hand, if your basketball program produces a significant amount of talent that might be the reason. Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Willie Cauley-Stein, Jamal Murray and others, you get the point.

Bill Bridges

The late Bill Bridges is not in any hall of fame, most of you reading this probably have never heard his name. What’s so special about the man, allow a brief detail of this Hobbs New Mexico athlete. Bridges was all Big 8 (Big 12) three seasons and an All American his senior year. During the period he played at Kansas freshmen were ineligible to play varsity, schools at the time had freshmen teams. Bridges was prolific at rebounding the basketball despite the fact he stood but 6 foot 6 and 228 pounds. The numbers, 13.2 points and 13.9 rebounds a game during his three seasons at Kansas. In 1961 Bridges was drafted by the NBA Chicago Packers (now Wizards) but chose to play for a startup league the American Basketball League.

Bridges would distinguish himself in the league playing for the Kansas City Steers however the ABL only lasted one full season. After the ABL began play in the fall of 1962 the league ran out of money and folded December 31. Despite the fact Bridges was known for his board work he set the scoring mark for the league with a 55-point game. After the ABL went out of business Bridges found his way to the NBA and he would play 13 years for the Hawks, Lakers, Sixers and Warriors. In NBA history four players have recorded 35 rebounds or more in a playoff game, they are Wilt Chamberlain, Willis Reed, Bill Russell and Bill Bridges. Over the course of his NBA career Bridges was a unique double-double man, his numbers are even 11.9 points and 11.9 rebounds a game. In 2015 Bridges died at the age of 76, one of the giants of the game despite his stature.