Basketball from a fans perspective

A few playoff notes

Did you check out the numbers for the Warriors as they took a 3 games to 1 lead over the Nuggets? Klay Thompson had 26 points, Jordan Poole contributed 27 and a guy by the name of Steph Curry came off the bench. Curry would match Poole and total 27 points too. Opposing teams must figure out a method to slow down this trio. Notice we said slow, they are not going to be stopped not all three at the same time.

In other playoff accounts you might wonder how the Wolves managed to lose their Thursday night game. At times during the game, they led by 20 points twice no less. The Wolves allowed the Grizzlies to register a 21-0 run in the 4^th quarter of the game, that’s an amazing stat line. Watching the game, I kept saying to myself, “The Wolves will eventually stop them,” based on the 104-95 win by the Grizzlies you discover that didn’t occur.

The Nets find themselves in an 0-2 hole, they could have won the first game of the series as they were losers in close match last Sunday. As for Game Two that was a different matter, last fall prior to the season start Kyrie Irving said, “We don’t have a coach.” Steve Nash was in place however we guess he meant the players on the floor make the decisions. We see how that turned out with the Nets being a 7 seed in the playoffs. Hey maybe Kyrie was correct, maybe they really don’t have a coach.

Coaching news 

The ESPN.com page claims one of the names the Kings are looking at for head coach is Mike D’Antoni. How many times is this guy on an NBA list as a coaching candidate? In other coaching news the Hornets fired James Borrego, they are in the coaching search. The Hornets improved each season under his leadership but losing in the playoffs might have been the deciding factor in management deciding they needed a new direction

Billy Donlon is not a name throughout the coaching ranks except in Kansas City. He’s been the head coach of UMKC for the last three seasons. Donlon compiled a winning record at UMKC, and it was believed this urban university in Kansas City might be headed for greener pastures. All the positives he brought turning the school into a winning program is over for now. Donlon is leaving, headed to Clemson to serve as an assistant coach. So long Billy and good luck in the future. As for the Lakers we are hearing plenty of names including Phil Jackson, I seriously doubt if PJ wants to coach at this point in his life.

The beginning or the end

Is it a repeat for Nuggets center Nikola Jokic for MVP or will it be Joel Embiid of the Sixers? Although both have valid 3-point capability they prove there is still a need for a quality Big Man in today’s NBA. Conducting an account we could include the Wolves Karl-Anthony Towns to this group. Rising to their level is DeAndre Ayton of the Suns and Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies. All have Big Man skill but also 3-point ability. The NBA will never return to the traditional back to the basket game of Wilt, Abdul Jabbar or Shaq but it’s the belief by many Big Man basketball can be effective in today’s game. Two considerations, 1. Tall guys are still growing to 7 feet and taller. 2. 7-foot guys are not created equal; some have little skill but are pushed by selected coaches due to their height.

Let’s check a couple of factors, you might uncover a few additional. This should not be considered the overall answer just a few thoughts. There are a sizeable (LOL) number of these 7-foot behemoths spread throughout the nation and world. Their skill is being utilized in different manners depending on the coach and the team. In some instances, it’s an inside-outside game as the ball is moved to the center but is returned for a 3-point attempt. Every time the issue is raised, we hear the comment, “We are not returning to basketball of the past, which is true, small ball will continue to evolve.” Bottom line if you are a coach with a Big Man with skill why not try to develop him. We look toward college and witness the desire to win taking priority over developing talent. Just my view, unless that Big Man arrives on campus with potential skill that college coach probably doesn’t have time to help the player in developing his talent. We can look at Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren (7 foot 1) as the latest example, what do you think?

This is the end

Unless there is a major development this is the last account, I intend to write regarding the HBO series Showtime: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Mitch Kupchak general manager of the Hornets made his voice heard recently. In the Showtime Laker era, he’d worked for Jerry West, and he too claims the depiction of West is strictly fiction. A couple of additional notes, this series was based on a book written for television. One of the explosive West scenes in the television production didn’t occur in the publication.

We guess editorial license was utilized for the scene to appear more dramatic. In addition, the NBA offices indicate the production team didn’t contact them for permission to utilize Laker apparel. This is generally a common courtesy used in movie and television productions. It’s likely the NBA does nothing about this aspect but just one additional bit of information for you to consider. I must admit I watched the first four episodes but decided this was not worth my time to proceed any further. This series has provided entertainment for those who treat it in that manner, as for the others there is an issue as I see it. It would have really been outstanding if the gentleman who authored the book and the writer of the television production had contacted these former Lakers and others to discuss details of the story.