Basketball from a fans perspective

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Bits n Pieces 

Hmmmmm, the world will be glued to NFL football today except in some circles. An enormous number will be following the NFL, others will be watching Animal Planet or the Comedy Central Channel. As for a percentage they will be glued to their televisions watching another sports event. Allow me to explain, the Nets will play the Lakers in Staples Center today, game time is 3:30 Eastern, 2:30 Central Time. The game will be available on NBA TV and Spectrum Sportsnet, curious minds wonder why an exhibition would be scheduled in the middle of NFL broadcasts. Of course, we know why, just a little early morning (or afternoon) humor.

Also, of interest to that chair bound person(s) in their man caves…Memphis University basketball. Although this will occur much later, we’ve been made aware most of the school’s games will be available on a nation-wide basis, why is this announcement not shocking? With high profile additions such as Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren plus a wealth of returning talent, well you get the picture. Basketball in Memphis Home of the Blues should be quite entertaining in the 2021-22 college basketball season.

The Ben Simmons story continues to evolve and appears more convincing than ever. The Sixers are reported to be holding up payment, the point guard is due $8.25 million on Oct 1 as 25% of his contract. It’s become serious in that Simmons is a man of his word he wants out of Philly and badly. The larger question can the Sixers and a yet unidentified NBA team come to a meeting of the minds about a trade for the talented Simmons? There is talent there despite his inept shooting from the floor.

If I said Billy Donlon, you might say WHO? Not surprising although Donlons’ been on the job two seasons as head coach of the UMKC Kangaroos no worry. Most Kansas City residents are unfamiliar with his name too. Donlon might just be the guy to turn the program around, although a D-I program since 1989-90 few realize it. The reason is simple, under a succession of coaches the school’s not been competitive on the basketball court. The Roos have played .500 ball under Donlon, and it’s hoped the 2021-22 season will see them successful in year two of their return to the Summit League.

The value of scouting

We discussed in the past how inept the Kings front office must have been, how did this tragedy begin, the Cincinnati Royals moved to Kansas City in 1973. From 1973 up to the team’s 1985 move to Sacramento the draft choices made by the Kings had modest effect on improved play. Due to the team’s poor record the Kings managed to draft near the top during this period. Records show they never traded that number one pick, they used it to draft a collection of good college players who were suspect NBA talent. We concluded there were a limited number of top picks who went on to good NBA careers, they are:

1974 Scott Wedman

1977 Otis Birdsong

1978 Phil Ford

1981 Steve Johnson

1982 LaSalle Thompson

1984 Otis Thorpe

Scott Wedman played successfully for the franchise while in Kansas City, he would later prove invaluable aiding the Celtics in winning two of their NBA Championships. Wedman left the Kings as free agency began in the NBA. Sharpshooter Otis Birdsong proved his value in his ability to score the ball; in an unusual move a trade was arranged to the Nets in exchange for the Kings to receive a journeyman player. With the Nets Birdsong continued to play excellent basketball.

Birdsong would be enshrined in the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Phil Ford was NBA Rookie of the Year for the Kings; his career was top notch until he sustained an eye injury which changed his NBA career negatively. Ford is honored by his inclusion in the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Steve Johnson, LaSalle Thompson and Otis Thorpe had long NBA careers mostly in reserve roles. These are the 6 players we believe proved their value despite most failing to conclude their career in Kansas City.

“Waiting for us die”

We covered this account previously, but it is worth a revisit. Did you realize there are 108 former ABA players who did not qualify for a pension? They arrived in the ABA at a time the merger was about to be consummated with the NBA, as with most pensions an athlete must have played five years to qualify, and they didn’t. As mentioned previously all ABA players were eligible to be drafted by NBA teams. The best prospects were chosen, Moses Malone, David Thompson, George Gervin and others made the transition into the NBA. As for the others if they were talented enough headed to Europe or other leagues to play.

The vast majority were left without a practical means of income other than working a job like you and me. There have been instances, illness has robbed them of their income and with no pension you understand where this account might be headed. Most of these former athletes are in their 60’s and 70’s an age when the body and health begin to breakdown. How did we reach this point, we could only ask the question of the players association? This body is intended to work in the best interest of the athlete, it appears they have been found woefully lacking. As one of the former players said, “They are waiting on us to die.” Shame on the NBA and players association for this oversight to exist.