Basketball from a fans perspective

I suppose

Who do the Lakers hire as the next head coach? At this point we’ve heard a substantial number of names tossed about. Who do I want doesn’t really matter, the Lakers hired Frank Vogel although he wasn’t my first choice and I adjusted? With that said I have three candidates I would be okay if they hired. I’m not going to provide the where’s and the why’s just the names.

Darvin Hamm

Mark Jackson

David Fizdale

Phil Jackson?

Okay that’s actually four names including Phil Jackson, his inclusion requires an explanation, immediately after Vogel was fired and names were circulated Jackson was one of the first, we heard. I stated there should be no return to the past or similar words, PJ might be just the change as head coach the team needs. PJ is old school, but he was back then and probably will always remain a player’s coach. In conclusion who they choose doesn’t really matter, my recommendation will not be taken into consideration.

Really?

I have a number of problems, chief among them is commenting on statements made by Stephen A. Smith. I almost fell out of my chair with laughter after reading the ESPN.com NBA page headline on Saturday morning. It read “Stephen A. puts the pressure on Harden after Embiid’s injury”. Pressure from who or we might ask, him yelling LOUDLY into his mic? I have concluded there are two camps regarding Smith, those who love him and those who hate him.

There is no middle ground, question? Have you ever heard anyone make the comment “He’s okay” meaning they can take him or leave him? Who do I blame for this, the network…Entertainment & Sports Programing Network? Despite the fact the network places a conservative face in front of us on certain issues they allow Smith to run rampant in other areas. We have reached a point I no longer can tolerate him screaming into his mic (and over my television), truth is anytime he appears on screen the remote is instantly muted.

No fear

A minister friend who still plays the game reminded me of the story. I’ve written the Lakers were a “stacked” team when Kobe Bryant arrived on the scene. Unlike a number of Hall of Fame players, he was firmly planted on the bench by Del Harris then Laker coach. Arriving from high school to the NBA perhaps the coach didn’t believe he was ready to assume the role of an NBA player and perhaps he wasn’t. His rookie season would see Kobe start only 6 games; his point total a mere 7.6 points per game. It would be the 1997 playoffs that might bolster the NO FEAR he exhibited throughout his career. How did this come about, Kobe was placed in the starting lineup due to injury?

The Lakers that year were facing the Utah Jazz in that playoff. The team would be losers 98-93 in OT and Kobe managed to shoot not 1 not 2 but a total of 4 AIR BALLS in the game. His teammate Shaquille O’Neal remarked, “He (Kobe) was the only guy who had the guts at the time to take shots like that.” Not only did he miss the shots, but the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs partially due to Kobe’s mediocre performance. Was there fear in the 19-year-old Kobe…of course there was. He proved to all; we must meet face to face with bedlam even though we might prefer to flee. Kobe Bean Bryant echoed the words attributed to former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. “We have nothing to fear but fear itself” as we cope with this life.

Who would have figured?

Basketball remains a team sport, you don’t win without teammates. Despite the statement there are always teammates who stand out in victory and that was the case Sunday afternoon. The Warriors Jordan Poole when inserted into the lineup was key to the 117-116 victory over the Grizzlies. Someone once said, “It’s not important who starts it’s more important who finishes the game.” Poole was the game’s high scorer with 31 points, included in that was a 5 for 10 from the 3-line.

Also, it was 8 rebounds and 9 assists along with 2 blocked shots for the 6-foot 4 guard which provides proof of his all-around game. Many of us believed the Warriors were in trouble when Draymon Green was tagged with a flagrant and ejected from the game. While handing out awards one should go to Steve Kerr, he makes the moves which allow his team to win. Someone ask a week or so ago “Who do you have coming out of the West?” I informed him I wasn’t sure yet, as for this series I picked the Warriors. I informed him the veteran Warriors team should be able to beat the young Grizzlies in a playoff series.

He was perfect

Suns point guard Chris Paul was determined the Pelicans would not succeed on Thursday, he made sure of this based on the game he exhibited. Paul made every shot he took from the floor 14 times and sinking all of them. He was 4-4 from the free throw line which gave him a total of 33 points. Paul wasn’t finished he also managed to dish out 8 assists to teammates.

His game led the way as the Pelicans were eliminated 4 games to 2 with the 115-109 victory. We don’t know if Paul wins a championship before he retires, we do have this certainty. He’s headed to the Naismith Hall of Fame once it’s retirement time, Paul likely desires an NBA Championship ring as well. At this point I’m unsure who emerges from this tight Western Conference race, is it the Suns or the Warriors. I could be proven wrong and that’s okay however I believe the _________ will be the winner.