Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Stand tall

Everyone and their brother is jumping on LeBron James after the Lakers were eliminated by the Suns. They point out his inadequacies during the series with the Suns or in the case of Channing Frye claiming, “He needs to retire.” Face it the guy is 36-years old his best years in the NBA or behind him. At his age it takes a great deal more time to recover from injury than 26-year-old LeBron James. As for the garbage (that's what it is) it's difficult but he needs to ignore it, he's got broad shoulders.  

He saved their bacon twice no less

For all the good the late David Stern accomplished leading the NBA there were some less glamorous deeds in my view. Voiding the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers was certainly in the count and saving Sacramento. The basketball fans of Sacramento should thank their lucky stars for Stern for two reasons. Item 1. Stern worked for the NBA for several years but assumed the role of commissioner on February 1, 1984. When owner Greg Lukenbill applied to move the Kings franchise to Sacramento it appears Stern did truly little to persuade him to not move. On April 17, 1985, the NBA Board of Governors approved the move to Sacramento. Item 2. Fast forward several years later and there were continuing problems with securing a new arena.  

The moving vans had backed up and everyone assumed the team would be relocated to Seattle home of Chris Hansen prospective owner. Once again Stern to the rescue holding up the sale and a new owner was located. “According to an ESPN.com report, the Ranadive group agreed to purchase 65 percent of the Kings from the Maloofs for about $348 million. The Kings' total valuation in the sale is an NBA-record $535 million, ESPN reported. The sale still needs NBA approval, which should come in the next few days. The agreement comes two days after the NBA's Board of Governors voted against the team relocating to Seattle, where a group led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen had hoped to land the Kings in a proposed deal and move the team to the Northwest.” As you can see there is NBA basketball in Sacramento today thanks in part to the late David Stern.

clubindustry.com May 17, 2013

Just like other sports

The NBA is certainly no different than other sports in one area, the end of the regular season or playoff run is witnessed to head coaches being fired or ask to resign. The Magic firing Steve Clifford is just the latest, also let go are Terry Stotts of the Blazers. Brad Stevens with the Celtics was probably in no danger, but his boss was. Danny Ainge retired as general manager and Stevens replaced him.

Are there other coaches who might be on the hot seat? That’s likely however it would strictly lie around probability for now. There is at least one coach who certainly is in danger of losing his job, there’s been no movement by his team prior to this publication. I will not provide you a name just think about it a moment and you will figure it out. Coaches can and it’s occurred in the past where the stress has simply overwhelmed them, and they resigned of their own free will. 

Is this the year

This is written early Sunday morning; the Clippers will play the Mavs at home this afternoon. Is this the year they can advance by beating teams in front of them? In recent years, apart from the 2019-20 season the Clippers have experienced more success on the court than the Lakers. Despite achieving a better won loss record they have never been able to advance in the playoffs, in fact they have never competed for a championship. This is because they have failed to win the Western Conference title. I am not going to pull a Barkley on you however I believe the Clippers will succeed this afternoon, they will beat the Mavs. Beyond that how they finish would be a pure guess on my part.  

The World’s most famous arena

Madison Square Garden home of the Knicks and Rangers is given the tag “The World’s most famous Arena.” Of course, there is more than NBA basketball and hockey played in the arena, you might find this part most interesting. The present Madison Square Garden is the 4^th arena with that title. The first Madison Square Garden opened in 1879 long before the basketball or hockey, this arena was located on East 26^th Street and Madison Ave. It shouldn’t be a surprise the legendary P.T. Barnum of circus fame would be the man behind the first incarnation. The original arena was demolished, and the 2^nd building was built on the same spot and opened in 1890. It was located at this address until 1925 when the 3rd incarnation of Madison Square Garden opened on 8th Avenue and 50th Street.  

At this location not only college basketball would be played but it was the first home of the Knicks who began play as a Basketball Association of America team. The 4^th and present-day MSG is located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza and opened in 1968. As this is a basketball blog the arena and its connection to the Knicks is noted, MSG serves as venue for more than basketball and hockey, numerous other entertainment events are held in the arena. Despite being the oldest NBA arena in operation there have been several renovations. The first renovation occurred in 1989-91 and the second in 2011-13. Sidebar, the tunnel the injured Willis Reed entered the court in 1970 no longer exists with the renovation work. A 10-year lease which ends in 2023 was signed with the City of New York, what occurs after that point? The lease must be renewed, or another location must be sought. There you have the brief but incomplete history of The World’s most famous arena…Madison Square Garden.