Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

A long-ago issue has finally been addressed

A while back this blog contained an account of former ABA players. It was pointed out these former players either failed to latch onto an NBA team or did play after the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. For a number of reasons, a group of players missed the qualifications for a pension. These were the few who didn't play long enough or in some instances not picked up by an NBA team. 

The NBA and NBPA have come to an agreement and these former players about 115 will soon begin receiving monetary compensation. For a number this comes too late, illness and death preceded this agreement. Although payments are far below the salaries of today’s NBA players it is an effort to rectify a long overdue insight. Although it is very late for the survivors it does represent compensation after all these years.  

He’s moved into the Stephen A. Smith territory

The draft is over, many athletes have found their way to Las Vegas for the summer. There is a question we certainly cannot answer, “Can any of those drafted and free agents play successfully at the NBA level?” There is no adequate response until the regular season begins, in some instances the question might remain unanswered for at least 2-3 years. It’s easy to become excited about summer play but it is not the deciding factor. As for the headline, I have a neutral opinion of Shannon Sharpe of Fox Sports, he’s a former NFL veteran attempting to resolve a basketball matter.

These are somewhat along the lines of Sharp’s statement, some were referencing the Thunders Chet Holmgren and comparing him (unfairly in my view) to Kevin Durant. Sharpe’s words paraphrased, “I don’t see a 20 and 10 guy”, as for the comparison you might remember this from 2015. Stephen A. Smith on First Take went ballistic when the Knicks made Kristaps Porzingis their top pick that year. Rather than waiting to see if Porzingis could play Smith decided before the player ever set foot on an NBA floor “he couldn’t play at this level.” Back to Sharpe, he well could be correct, perhaps Holmgren has no NBA skills. It sure would be considerate to determine if his play on the court equals projections before pronouncing a player unable to play at this level. Shame on you Shannon, why not stick to NFL issues. 

Tacko Tuesday

We know, the game was played on Monday however every time Tacko Fall is on the basketball court it becomes a “Tacko Tuesday.” there was a Tacko sighting recently. We remain unsure if 7-foot 6 inch 311-pound Tacko Fall ever have an NBA career. Currently Tacko remains the tallest player in the NBA, despite this fact Tacko went undrafted in 2019, he was signed by the Celtics as a free agent moved on to the Cavs and now is with the Jazz.

With center Rudy Gobert traded will the Jazz allow Tacko time to develop his game further in the NBA of small ball. That’s a question, let’s check the depth chart for the Jazz at present. Hassan Whiteside is listed as the starting center with rookie Walker Kessler his backup, in addition there is Udoka Azubuike and rookie Big Man Kofi Cockburn. As for Monday’s Summer League action Tacko’s game was notable, 12 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocked shots as his Jazz beat the Mavs 83-82. 

It’s just television 

When it comes to halftime programming on NBA telecasts which network do you favor? The TNT crew of Ernie, Shaq, Kenny and Charles or the changing assembly on ESPN/ABC? The ESPN crew has “point guard” Mike Greenberg along with former NBA (and knowledgeable) player Jalen Rose. We include Michael Wilbon along with the always pontificating Stephen A. Smith who loves the sound of his voice.

This is a confession for me, although I never ever tune into a game to watch the pre or post game portion the Inside the NBA gang has it far above the other guys. We are curious what occurred to ESPN the network cannot appear to stabilize itself with a permanent broadcast crew? Perhaps ESPN/ABC is working it as best they can considering its past personnel issues. We should expect changes next season and a sidebar here. Dear ESPN/ABC, it’s not necessary to place Stephen A. Smith on every broadcast of the network.

Bill Walton

I don’t remember if I watched a single game that Bill Walton provided color commentary this past season. You are familiar with Walton, he’s the guy covering college basketball for ESPN. At least once during a telecast he mentions the rock group The Grateful Dead. The television camera would always catch him with one of his tie dyed tee shirts, Walton might be the last Hippie in the nation. What is interesting most watching/listening to the over-the-top Walton have no idea how good a basketball player he once was. Walton was made the top choice in the 1974 NBA draft by the Blazers. After being named an All American three times the UCLA Bruins were led to two NCAA championships while Walton was there.

The NBA would be a far different matter for Walton, he played outstanding basketball but the injuries, the injuries. Walton could not remain healthy for an extended period of time. He did manage to remain healthy enough to aid the Blazers in their only NBA championship to date. The 1977 team was matched against Dr. J.’s Sixers, Walton and his teammates were NBA champions 4 Games to 2. In the final game Walton scored 20 points along with 23 rebounds, 7 assists and 8 blocked shots. From this point going forward his career was seriously impacted throughout the remainder of time. Injuries forced Walton to miss three seasons, 78-79, 80-81 and 81-82. Over the remainder of his NBA career Walton would be reduced to a reserve role for the Clippers and Celtics. Despite early success Walton was unable to avoid injury, his career numbers might have been greater than his 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.