Basketball from a fans perspective

Leave it alone

2001 was exactly 20 years ago, 1997 was even further back. What occurred in both instances, Jason Kidd was charged with battery against his then wife, Chauncey Billups was accused of rape. In the case of Kidd, he went to court and a judgment was rendered against him. As for Billups he was charged but never convicted, it’s reported he made financial restitution to the alleged victim. The Mavs (Kidd) and Blazers (Billups) are being criticized for hiring men accused of aggression against women. This is no intention on my part to gloss over the seriousness of the events however there is a question.

If you are arrested and appear in court for judgment (Kidd) or never charged (Billups) how long must your past be mentioned as a millstone around your neck? I believe we all understand, in the Me Too age men can no longer act barbaric in the presence of women and escape Scott free. At the same time this should be two-fold, if you are punished how long must we re-visit the events of the past? If there is a pattern of behavior or the person is proven to be a serial offender that is a different story. I realize this take is not going to be pleasing in some circles, I refuse to believe a person makes one mistake and it follows them the balance of their life especially when the matter has been cleared.  

Different this year

For the first time in a while there will be a new NBA champion this month. You say to me, “There’s always an NBA champion crowned every year” and you are correct with the following exception. As this is written we have no idea who wins the whole thing, this is the first time the perennial contenders are not there. In this instance we speak of the Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, Warriors, Heat, or Bulls as champions. It’s been rare but there have been NBA champions besides the teams just mentioned.

In 2019 it was the Toronto Raptors and 2016 witnessed the Cavs winning it all. Five years earlier, 2011 the Mavs were crowned NBA champions and 26 years ago Houston’s Rockets won their second of a back-to-back championship. As you might note it’s been rare when a team other than those first listed have won a championship. No requirement to return any further back in time, cynics will claim the NBA wants large market teams as champions. That well could be the thought process, the only problem what is desired and what will occur are two vastly different things. 

We wait

By now you are aware the charges Scottie Pippen leveled at Phil Jackson. The former Bulls All Star insists his one-time coach is racist, there was a question by many. Would a black player affirm the words of Phil Jackson, or would he refute Pippen? Former Laker Robert Horry was the first to speak and indicated he didn’t agree with Pippen. Would there be another, Thursday morning Shaquille O’Neal voiced his opinion on the subject. He agreed with Horry rather than Pippen, do we require a further explanation? Consider this fact, it is extremely difficult to “look” inside someone and determine their intent unless its blatant.

We can only make a judgement based on the speech or actions of that person. Short of proof we have little information to formulate an opinion whether the person is racist or not. Who is up next, do we require 2, 5 or 10 former players to say yes or no regarding Phil Jackson? As I have attempted to point out we really don’t know, what’s the basis for the Pippen charge? He remains upset about his treatment as a member of the Bulls. How about this, in the documentary The Last Dance he mentioned he was upset about his portrayal. Is Pippen simply attempting to drive up book sales or maybe there is true hurt for him? His son dying tragically, his divorce…Pippen has a great deal of baggage however no more than several of us. Unless there is some earth-shattering event connected here no worry, this is the last account in this blog.

Don’t trade the future

These are the names; most of them you know:

Jordan Clarkson 

Josh Hart 

Lonzo Ball 

Julius Randle 

Brandon Ingram 

DeAndre Hunter 

Ivica Zubac

Those are just a few of the names the Lakers have drafted over the last several years, as you are aware none are presently on the Laker roster. As you might note Laker scouts have done an excellent job of spotting talent. The downside is trading these budding talented players to acquire veteran talent which to date has resulted in a single NBA championship. We’ve covered the Laker portion of the draft which will occur at the end of the month. I’m going to camp out in Rod Pelinka’s office and consult with he and head coach Frank Vogel.

I intend to be the voice of reason, don’t trade the future, that pick on July 29 for a veteran. The wise move would be to either draft a point guard or small forward and develop him for the post LeBron James future. There is no intention to name a name however the belief here is a point guard should be that top pick. This point guard should be able to move into the lineup immediately, if the pick is not there then it should be a small forward. The criteria remains the same for both, they are inserted into the lineup immediately for their “Baptism of Fire.” Keep in mind this is just the hope of a member of Laker Nation, management will do what they do.  

The coach

As the Suns advance to play for the NBA championship, we’ve missed covering someone. We have noted little focus on the coach, Monty Williams, this will provide a brief look at the Suns leader. Williams played basketball at Notre Dame; he was thought to be talented enough to be a 1^st round draft choice in the 1994 NBA draft by the Knicks. Williams had a rather pedestrian career in the NBA which lasted to 2003. In 2005 he became an assistant coach with the Blazers, and he remained on the job until 2010. From there it was head coach of the Hornets (Pelicans).

Williams would be fired in 2015 by the Pelicans due to several issues most detailing little improvement in team play. The next season would see him on the bench for the Thunder this time as assistant head coach. It was Oklahoma City where he suffered a tragedy much worse than being fired, his wife would die in a tragic automobile accident. He decided to leave the Thunder and Brett Brown then Sixer coach reached out to him, and he came on board as a Sixer assistant. In May 2019 Williams was signed as head coach by the Suns and rewarded with a 5-year contract. It should be of note this is his second tour with Chris Paul, the two were together in New Orleans.