Basketball from a fans perspective

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Silver Medals never awarded

It was 50 years ago, September 9, 1972, Team USA lost its first basketball game. Basketball was added to the Olympics in 1936, consider this fact every four years with the exception of World War II Team USA was victorious on the court. All that would change with the 1972 Olympics as Team USA lost to the Soviet Union 51-50 in the most controversial victory in history. It wasn’t the loss alone it was the manner the end was dictated by officials. The game was over ‘twice’ before officials ruled there was time remaining. The loss left a nasty taste in the mouth of Team USA believing the Soviet team had been given additional time to gain the victory. A day later at the medal presentation on the top pedestal stood the team from the Soviet Union, the Silver medal position was vacant as Team USA voted to boycott the ceremony.

The Silver medals of Team USA remain in the hands of the Olympic Committee where they have been held for the last 50 years. To date none of the members of Team USA have made any indication they desire the medals. In fact, at least two former players have instructions written in their wills the off spring are not to obtain the medals after their death. The basketball landscape had begun to change. It was pointed out several Soviet players were playing professional while Team USA was comprised of college players only. Indirectly this game might have brought about The Dream Team, 1992’s Team USA consisting of NBA players and a lone college player. Check out the YouTube video below, although its several years old the outcome of this highly controversial game remains the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh19IxFLk8Y

I’m gonna report it

Normally I refrain from reporting gab, but this is quite interesting. Let’s delve into the story behind the story, the NBA has exhibition games scheduled in Seattle and Las Vegas next month. Reports have circulated since forever the NBA intends to expand adding two franchises for a total of 32. The hot rumor, the NBA will announce future expansion plans in October. This makes sense on a number of levels primarily $$$, a new television contract will be in place by expansion time. In addition, each team owner will be compensated splendidly for $$$ lost during the pandemic, I'm just reporting the rumor...I have no way to authenticate the accuracy of this account.  

How about a friendship?

I wanted to make this clear, this is my opinion of a Stephen A. Smith story. You can locate it on the internet and come to a different conclusion than me. Smith claims he lost his friendship with Allen Iverson over a story he wrote and published. This is the period prior to Smith going to work for ESPN, he was working for a Philly newspaper at the time, and this is how it unfolds. Iverson was reported to have taken a leave of absence from games and practice with the Sixers to oversee illness with one of his children.

Later Smith reports his editor brought him video of Iverson at a club partying and the conversation went in this manner. ‘I thought he (Iverson) was a friend of yours? Write a story on this or I’ll have someone else do it.’ No place in the account did Smith mention he was threatened with being terminated or even suspended. Smith wrote the article, and it finished the friendship between Iverson and Smith for two years. There are several take-aways from this account, the first might be why now, Iverson’s been retired and out of the spotlight for several years. I have several issues with this story, and I will provide my view. Does this paint Smith in a better light, not in my view?

It might be worst because he was willing to betray a friend for a story. Why not let the other party write the story first and Smith writes the second one, he would not be giving away a confidence (and friendship) if this were to have occurred. The majority reading this are aware I’ve not been a fan of Smith for quite a while. He’s loud, abrasive and most times over the top with his world view. This is my opinion alone, you might read his account and arrive at a different conclusion, let’s just say this. It didn’t make me feel any worst about Smith, but it didn’t help me to feel any better about him either, that is all. As for Iverson if the story is true shame on him however, we never knew the story until Smith decided to report his part in it.

Isn’t he your dad?

He stands either 6 foot 7, 6-8 or 6-9 depending which dot.com site you might read. Because he’s in the class of 2025 he is likely still growing however Cameron Boozer has caught our attention. If the last name sounds familiar it should, his father is Carlos former Duke player who spent 15 seasons with several NBA teams including my Lakers. I haven't seen young Boozer in action although YouTube video of him exists. I am somewhat reluctant to report this information for one reason alone.   

Remember the rock band The Who and their hit tune ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’? That’s what I feel like now, we might want to refer to it as the ‘Emoni Bates effect’. Wunderkinds are reported to us by media sources, and we focus on them and sometimes they fail to reach the level projected. Let’s just hope young Boozer is cut out of the same mold of his father. On the other hand, he could be similar to the late Kobe Bryant. As most are aware Kobe was exceptional in all facets of the game and certainly more successful compared to his father Joe Bryant.