Basketball from a fans perspective

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So much potential…but for the demons

Reggie Harding is dead now, he died much in the manner of his lifestyle choice. He was shot twice in the head in 1972 ending a life that only scratched the surface of basketball potential. Harding stood 7 feet tall and weighed 250 pounds and most are unaware of the potential some believed was untapped. Harding was the first player to ever play out of high school with no college, his grades wouldn’t have permitted him to enroll anyway. What can we say, drug addiction and enumerable problems with law enforcement. Harding was arrested almost a dozen times and we must include the times he was imprisoned are part of his life story too. As for the potential the legendary Celtic coach Red Auerbach made this statement.

“Say what they want to about all the fine, big fellows coming out of college in 1964, but the Pistons already have a guy who probably will outshine them all.” By this time Harding had three seasons in the defunct Eastern League and had begun play for the Pistons. Routinely he’d sleep through team meetings missed flights but that was mild compared to assault on a police officer. Can you imagine a teammate named him the 5^th best center in the NBA at one time. You begin with Wilt, Russell and others that’s pretty exclusive company. One of the stories while tragic is funny in a manner of speaking. Harding placed a ski mask on and attempted to rob a neighborhood store. The owner took one look at the giant Harding and immediately identified him mask and all. I guess if you stand 7 feet tall and live in the neighborhood it might be difficult to disguise yourself. Reggie Harding’s life was a tragedy, if only he’d gotten help perhaps his entire life could have turned around, we just don’t know.

Are you concerned?

We discover Stephen A. Smith is upset again, this time because the Knicks failed to land Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz. This makes for several questions the first do we really care if Smith’s upset. Let’s pretend we do care and suppose this occurred. The Knicks were able to swing a trade and acquire Mitchell. Based on who the Knicks might have to give up they might be left with a bare cupboard. This is where it gets interesting in my scenario, the Knicks are improved with Mitchell in the lineup but not good enough to earn a playoff berth. Who do we suppose would be at the front of the line claiming the Knicks are doing nothing to improve the team…you guessed it. Just what did the Knicks offer for Mitchell, this is the report.

Obi Topping

Evan Fournier

Mitchell Robinson

2 unprotected first-round draft picks   

In addition to the names above and additional draft choices the Jazz wanted RJ Barrett included in the trade, apparently the Knicks said thanks but no thanks. I’m certainly under no obligation to defend past front office moves of the Knicks but guess what, neither is Smith. I find it quite interesting Smith’s taken on the role of full time Knicks critic, now if he had some skin in the game, I believe we could all understand.

What do I mean by that reference, as far as we can determine he doesn’t spend any of his own money for tickets. It’s a guess on my part his attendance at Knicks games are in his capacity as a media member. If Smith is an owner of MSG stock, we could say ‘as an owner’ he’s got a say in operations however it’s highly unlikely he owns a great deal of stock. Where does this lead us, it points to a guy who is a card-carrying media member who is free to offer his opinion on the Knicks and other stuff? His opinion on the Knicks is no more important than yours or mine, I’m out. 

Play at home

Sports teams most likely prefer to play at home, is there an advantage to playing at home…of course however it might be more rewarding depending on the sport. In this instance our discussion centers on team sports, I can’t speak to soccer or hockey because I follow neither sport closely. As for other sports from the least difficult to the most challenging for the road team in order, baseball, NFL football, college football, the NBA and the most difficult…college basketball. I believe we can safely conclude college basketball is best for the home team most generally.

Don’t misunderstand my statement, visiting teams do win at Allen Fieldhouse (KU), Dean Dome (N. Carolina), Cameron Indoor (Duke), Rupp (UK) and a few others it’s just the fact few wins are registered by the visitor. On the opposite end of the spectrum, it’s been rough at Mizzou Arena the last two seasons, visiting teams probably felt little if any pressure playing the Tigers at home. As for the schools difficult to win fans are right on top of the action and the noise factor has got to rattle average to below average competition. Probably the nearest equivalent to a college atmosphere was Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City. Notice I used the term was, I’m not as sure now as fans of the Thunder have become adjusted to NBA play and are more laid back.

Timmy

The guy who gave himself a nickname Shaquille O’Neal hung ‘Timmy’ on Tim Duncan of the Spurs. I could say Spurs because that was the only NBA team, he played for over a brilliant career. After retirement we’d see him enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame. Technically he was a power forward during his 19-year tenure in the NBA. At 6 foot 11- and 250-pounds Duncan is rarely mentioned in any discussion of the best Big Men in the game. That might occur for two reasons, the number one reason…he was a quiet assassin. The second, at the time he arrived in the NBA the Spurs had The Admiral David Robinson at center. Duncan moved into the power forward position only playing center occasionally.

During his NBA career Duncan routinely help his Spurs team win and win big. He was five times NBA champion, three times finals MVP, two regular season MVP’s which represent just a few of the accolades bestowed on the native of Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I just uncovered this fact, early on it was swimming that drew his attention. It was pointed out Hurricane Hugo destroyed the Islands only Olympic pool and Duncan was forced to swim in the ocean. Sharks are responsible for Duncan to switch from swimming to basketball, it was fear of them that lead him from the water to the basketball court. As for the nickname it was a badge of honor by Shaq rather than a swipe at Duncan’s ability on the court. After retirement Duncan served as assistant coach working for coach Popovich one season, we are unsure at this writing the present pursuit of Tim Duncan.