Basketball from a fans perspective   

Published Monday through Friday

The history   

There are two Ukrainian players in the NBA, Alex Len of the Kings and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk of the Raptors. Both issued a joint statement condemning the Russian invasion of their nation. Let’s check the history behind this Russian aggression, we are seeing Domantas Sabonis in action in today’s NBA however his father might have been one of the best ever. His father Arvydas played for the former Soviet Union and politics prevented him from play in the NBA.

After years of Olympic and international play, we finally saw Arvydas in the NBA as a 31-year-old rookie for the Blazers. Injury had not allowed us to see Arvydas at his best although at 7 foot 3 he was one of the best Big Man passers ever. Then we discovered a fact, Arvydas playing under the banner of the Soviet Union was not Russian at all he was from Lithuania then part of the Soviet Union. 1991 saw the breakup of this union as Ukraine became an independent nation, they would leave behind their days as part of the Soviet Union.  

Over the following years the NBA began to see an increasing number of Euro players arrive on these shores. Some were Russian while others represented nations that had been part of the former Soviet Union. As this is written there are no Russian players in the NBA although a considerable number have played in the past. There are four EuroLeague teams based in Russia or former satellite nations which are likely comprised of Ukrainian and Russian players. News reports point out there are Russians who want the war to cease and naturally there are Ukrainian’s who feel the same way. Hopefully, diplomacy will rule eventually, and this madness can stop.

The Beard

Last Fridays game was not nationally televised, only those living in Philly, the Twin Cities or NBA League Pass subscribers saw it. It featured the debut of James Harden as a member of the Sixers. The box score is the only barometer of measurement for us so let’s check it out. Harden’s first game with his new team resulted in a 133-102 win over the Wolves, what did he do. Harden managed to score 27 points along with 12 assists, he accomplished this while shooting 7 for 12 from the floor plus 5 for 7 from three.

There will be adjustments over the next few weeks and months, it remains to be disproven however I maintain the Sixers will accomplish more with Harden in the lineup over Ben Simmons. Am I claiming an NBA Championship for the Sixers…no way, I am expecting better play now that there is no longer drama existing in the clubhouse? This statement is made despite the fact I remain a fan of Simmons despite his inability to shoot the basketball. It should be of note Big Man Joel Embiid scored 34 points and 10 points adding in the win.

Your opinion is okay until….

I want to make it clear once again; I have no issues with you expressing your opinion. The problem we often discover incorrect or inaccurate information is passed off as valid. In a discussion ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins gave viewers his opinion of basketball in the Crescent City. Perkins claims “The Pelicans need to move to either Seattle or Vegas.” His statement is okay however it’s not backed up by fact.

The late owner Tom Benson wanted to ensure the team remained in New Orleans, that’s one of the reasons he was the driving force in the name change from Hornets to Pelicans. His wife Gayle has assumed ownership on her husband’s death, our guess she wants to retain the connection to the city. Back to Perkins a moment, either city Las Vegas or Seattle would be prime destinations for the NBA, so I have no argument with Perkins for that view. This is my continuing problem with many of today’s media as my wife often says, “What comes up comes out.” Her assessment, sometimes people tend to make statements without consideration for fact.

Did you know

There is an undefeated basketball team in the nation, I’d bet large sums of money you didn’t know that. Truth is I didn’t realize it either without conducting research…who and what? First of all, the school is a Division II program, and its name is Nova Southeastern University, the team’s record is 25-0 as this is written. One of those 25 wins is a forfeit in their favor 2-0 against St. Leo. St. Leo was also unfamiliar to me; it’s located in the Tampa-St. Petersburg metro. As for Nova it’s in Fort Lauderdale in the Miami metro. The CBS Network broadcast the NCAA Division II Championship, perhaps if Nova continues to play at this level, we might see them play in this game.

It’s me

I have issues with Nets guard Kyrie Irving, it has nothing to do with his ability to play basketball it’s the other thing. Through his coach Steve Nash we discover “Kyrie is anxious about the ability to play in New York City.” As covid numbers continue a downward trend the city is considering lifting its restrictions on vaccinations. History says we are accustomed to athletes deciding to take a stance regarding issues. Long ago it was Curt Flood in baseball and more recently Colin Kaepernick in the NFL. This is not an attempt to redress the issues Floor and Kaepernick expressed simply to point out athletes have taken a stance. In the instance of Irving, I fail to see the position he’s taken as valid.

Flood and Kaepernick were parties to their baseball and football careers ending, both took an unpopular stance in some political circles, and it managed to cost them. What about the position taken by Irving? He’s proven nothing to me except his unwilling nature to be vaccinated without offering a reason. I saw him being interviewed after a recent game and the reporter asked him about the fact NYC was about to lift its’s restriction. At that point I muted the sound, I didn’t care to listen to Irving’s response. As the old R&B song goes “That’s his prerogative”, there is no explanation due me or anyone else for that matter. The difference hence forth for me, I will look at Kyrie Irving different than I did in the past. If you disagree with my stance that’s okay too, there is no requirement for you to have the same opinion with me.