Basketball from a fans perspective   

Monday through Friday

“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”

The headline quote was made famous by Harry Truman at the time he served as President of the United States. It might do Kyrie Irving some good to read it and realize what the late president was attempting to say. After reading the comments of Kyrie Irving on ESPN’s NBA page all I can say is too bad, so sad. The condensed version Kyrie “hopes New York City will lift its mask mandate in order for him to play.” 

At the present pace that might occur as Covid numbers are slowly going down. My problem with Kyrie he was aware the outcome of this event before it was written, the Nets at one point wouldn’t allow you on the court at all. Why are you wishing for the NYC mandate to be lifted…all you have to do is get the vaccination. On the other hand, I’m okay if you don’t wish to be vaccinated but don’t count me among those wishing NYC would lift its mandate this is strictly on you. Kyrie, you dealt yourself this hand…play it out to the end after all you didn’t want the vax.

Why don’t we know?

Rick Barry was profiled recently, and the question was raised. Why is he not well known by many NBA fans today might be a question? The first thought might be he spent time in the American Basketball Association, that might not be the issue. After checking the records, we discover Barry only spent four seasons in the ABA, the balance of his 10-year basketball journey was spent with the Warriors and Rockets. Barry was NBA Rookie of the Year in 1966 following that up with an outstanding sophomore year.

Money was the factor in Barry’s decision to jump to the newly established American Basketball League. Back to the present perhaps it’s an age issue, he will turn 78-years old in March, although much younger Isiah Thomas, Larry Bird and even Magic Johnson are visible around the NBA while Barry less so. It seemed almost immediately after retirement Barry went to work as an analyst but that did not become a second career for him. We read his “unlikable personality” might have been a contributing factor to his departure from work in the broadcast field.

The other day

Recently we introduced to many Mike DeCoursey college basketball correspondent for The Sporting News. His call in to local sports talk radio in Kansas City was interesting regarding Cuonzo Martin. As you might be aware Mizzou has not played well this season and many are talking of firing the coach. The decision rest with the athletic director so we must wait until the end of the season for a decision. This is what I liked in the words of DeCoursey. He said, “Are they still hustling for the coach, or have they turned him off?” The question was an emphatic no by DeCoursey, he went on to discuss the players Cuonzo had brought into the program.

This from DeCoursey, “Perhaps they need another year to really put things together, I’d mentioned in the past Amari Davis, Boogie Coleman and Ronnie DeGray III scored in double digits at their previous stops. These “veterans” didn’t mold together as smoothing as the coach might have hoped. As a fan and outside observer, Mizzou has come up short in a number of games by not having a point guard on the floor. Perhaps it was too much to expect Anton Brookshire to come in as a freshman and take over. By not having that guard in place we’ve seen a number of turnovers most of the unforced variety. Mizzou has been outrebounded at times and the teams shot selection has been poor at times. The Alabama game on January 22 might be considered the last blow out game, the others since then have been winnable. One-point losses against Auburn and Florida still go in the records as a loss however they prove this team can win.

He whose name will not be repeated

Must I say his name, naw don’t think I will? He’s decided the Nets are the winner in the Simmons to the Nets trade. Let’s take a look at the arrivals besides Simmons. We can forget the two draft choices; we have no idea if they ever play for the Nets. Seth Curry younger brother of The Chosen One is certainly a talented player however we could guess who won most H O R S E contests in the driveway. If that sounds negative that’s not the intent, it’s fact Seth is a valued reserve athlete. How about Andre Drummond, the Lakers wanted to sign him but not at his asking price.

Drummond left the Lakers for the Sixers at the end of last season; Drummond is a monster on the boards although other parts of his game are only average. With Nic Claxton on the scene can the former Sixer center displace Claxton or might he find himself in a backup role with his new team once again. As we have attempted to point out the trade is too fresh to really declare a winner, “He whose name will not be repeated” could be correct. On the other hand, the Sixers were able to maintain their core players might turn out to be the winner at least this season. We cannot look past June 2022, there are far too many moving parts.