Basketball from a fans perspective   

Published Monday through Friday

Who do you hate?

That’s a good question, who do you hate? As for me…no one however there are several I could claim I don’t particularly care for. Take for example LeBron James, he’s become a lightning rod of controversy whether it’s on or off the court. This is not an uncommon occurrence for those in the public spotlight which certainly fits LeBron however there have been others. Many hated the late Kobe Bryant because they claimed he was too aloof, they hated Michael Jordan because they claimed he was so arrogant. They hate LeBron because he comments on many of the nation’s social issues. What about those of the past you might ask?

It’s possible he’s changed now but the Celtic icon Bill Russell would sometimes refuse to sign autographs at times in the public. A public face or stance always causes a problem for a segment of the nation’s population. A member of the media once made the statement “Shut up and dribble” an indication what this person expected. “Play basketball we could care less what your position is on social and civic issues” was voiced. What is most interesting our employment will often prohibit us from taking a stance on matters. Once retired or working elsewhere we become free to express ourselves. I must look at the issue in this manner, you might not be aware of the position taken by your co-worker in the cubicle next to you or the worker on the assembly line near you. I have been particularly critical of Kyrie Irving for the stance he’s taken regarding the covid vaccine, I hope it’s not appeared to be a “I hate Kyrie rant.”

The Top 10 New York City Players

Over several generations New York City has produced some of the best basketball talent in the nation. Once upon a time talent remained in the city attending St. John’s, Columbia, Iona, Rutgers, and others. All that’s changed now in more recent years, high school talent has left the city in droves for other programs throughout the country. Metro NYC continues to produce some of the best basketball talent in the nation it’s just visible elsewhere. A recent example would be the Knicks top 2020 pick Obi Topping, born in Brooklyn he played his basketball at the University of Dayton. As for the history even basketball hotbeds like Chicago, Los Angeles and others cannot compete with this list. Keep in mind we are discussing high school talent; we are excluding any pro career they might have experienced. Who are they:

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Nate “Tiny” Archibald

Julius “Dr. J.” Erving

Kenny Smith

Kenny Anderson

Stephon Marbury

Billy Cunningham

Roger Brown

Connie Hawkins

Bernard King

Our list is the top 10 athletes believe to represent the best of the best high school basketball talent.  There are several others who could have been included but were omitted, it certainly wasn’t intentional your list might contain them. We could have included Albert King, Felipe Lopez, Lance Stephenson, Sebastian Telfair, Rafer Alston and Ron Artest who barely missed my cut. Although my decision was difficult, I must state the names mentioned and perhaps others were excluded due to space rather than talent in choosing my Top 10 All-Time greatest list. 

Who is Bill Walton?

This is interesting, Shaquille O’Neal was elected to the 50^th Anniversary NBA team. This honor came to Shaq in 1996, a member of the media asked him, “How can you be a Top 50 player…you’ve only been in the NBA four years.” This was the response, “I didn’t vote myself on the team.” That was funny back then not so funny now. Recently Shaq was campaigning for Tracy McGrady to be added to the 75^th Anniversary team, who do you remove to add his name? According to Shaq it should be Bill Walton and this part is interesting, he didn’t say Walton should be removed because of his limited play but more the fact McGrady was excluded. Walton had a 10-year NBA career most played after he suffered a series of injuries. He would begin his career with the Blazers, Walton eventually moved to the Celtics in 1986.

He won Sixth Man of the Year that season, allow us to check the early portion of his NBA career. An All American at UCLA Walton was made the first pick in the 1974 draft by the Blazers. In 1977 Walton would become the driving force in the Blazers winning the 1977 NBA Championship. Walton and crew had beaten the Sixers who on paper were supposed to be the superior team. He was named Finals MVP in 1977, the following season the NBA named him league MVP. In conclusion if we look strictly at the numbers there is no argument McGrady’s stats and time played exceed those of a Walton who was hobbled by injury mentioned earlier. Someone or several someone’s decided Shaq was worthy of selection to the 50^th Anniversary team. I’ve decided it’s okay McGrady is excluded, and Walton is on the team. If Shaq could provide evidence other than just his view okay, to date that wasn’t provided.

Pay me now or pay me later 

The headline of this account references an old commercial, I have no idea of the product. It just reminds me at some point we must pay. In this instance we are discussing the University of Missouri, Coach Cuonzo Martin has been on the hot seat practically all season. The reason of course the Mizzou basketball team has not performed at the level most believed or hoped. This is the decision for the school at the end of the season, “Do we pay him now ($6 million buyout) or pay him later (retained another season).” There is a saying “If you ain’t cheating you ain’t trying,” we are unsure who first said it, but the thought is this. The belief is “It’s a good thing because you are trying harder than the guy next to you.” I cannot subscribe to that belief however Cuonzo Martin is in trouble because he won’t check.

That’s the prevailing belief until proven different. There are two coaches with NCAA issues at two coaching stops, they are winners as this is written yet they sit on top of the college basketball world…why? As for Mizzou like most of Mizzou Nation am disappointed in the poor play however I am solidly in the coaches corner. If he is fired, I will adjust with the decision, what I refuse to accept are these folks. You know them, the ones yelling and screaming all season about the coach yet complain about paying a $6 million buyout. You cannot have it both ways those in Mizzou Nation wanting the coach fired should shut their traps on the buyout issue. A contract is a contract, usually they contain morality clauses. If the coach has done nothing to void the document Mizzou must pay him. Finally, the last $$$ consideration, a new hire coach must be paid too, we have no idea what that amount might total. We’ve got to believe it’s got to be major considering what the new coach might be acquiring.

On second thought

Remember, I laughed aloud at the writer who claimed the Clippers were better than the Lakers. I defended the Lakers indicating injuries (and age) might have been a contributing factor to their poor play at times. The gloves come off at this point, the Clippers minus Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have played outstanding basketball through early March. Coach Ty Lue and his Clippers are to be saluted for their play thus far and proving I don’t know as much as I might assert. Many are now claiming LeBron lacks the assassin mentality of Kobe Bryant, I cannot look inside the man.

It appears he is no longer able to lift the Lakers to a higher level, despite the accolades maybe he never accomplished this with other teams either. Is it just the fact we are seeing LeBron in the twilight of a Hall of Fame career that causes doubts? I hope that is not the case, I confess the confidence I had for this Laker team and LeBron has dwindled to 50% ability to win or lose nightly over the course of the season. The truth of the matter I believe I had more confidence in that young Laker team prior to LeBron’s arrival than this version. Have I trashed my Man Cave of Laker memorabilia, naw? Let’s just say they have much work to accomplish in front of them, I’m not discussing the 2021-22 NBA season. Sidebar, if this appears to be an “I’m going to the other side (Clippers) that is certainly not the case.”