Basketball from a fans perspective

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A brief statement

This might sound shocking coming from a Laker fan, but I was pleased with the news. The Celtics hired Ime Udoka as head basketball coach June 23, 2021, however he was not an unknown name. Most of us remember him from his time as a reserve player for the Spurs, he was a Nets assistant when hired. Part of the success experienced this past season by the Celtics playing for the NBA championship can be partially attributed to Udoka. As for the unpleasant part, Udoka was suspended by the Celtics for “violations of team policy” late last week, as with you the news of his suspension caught me off guard. A day later came the announcement the suspension would last the length of the 2022-23 NBA season. Coaches have been suspended in the past however this is quite different, I cannot think of an occasion when an NBA coach has been suspended (especially by his team) for the length of a season.

Generally, suspensions with this length of time would be handed out by the league. Anytime a coach is placed in this type of trouble generally its more to do with team play over anything else. In this instance the Celtics indicate Udoka violated the policy of the team. This is my view alone; I have read very little on the subject, at the same time I avoided the “Stephen A. Smith's” of the world providing their opinion on the matter. For me there is great difficulty for me delving into issues of relationships. Did he/she or didn’t he/she, as human beings each of us might act out a development in a different manner. I cannot begin to speculate the direction this franchise might take after the suspension is complete. Allow me to say this, from all apparent reports we’ve received thus far Udoka is guilty of the charge leveled at him and will suffer for it. It’s really too bad because I believed the Celtics had found their coach for the present and future of the franchise.

Welcome Back Kotter Dennis

In 1975 the ABC Network premiered a comedy about a former student who returned as a teacher to his old high school. The series Welcome Back Kotter ran four seasons and the ensemble cast of students consisted of a young John Travolta. Dennis Schroeder has been welcomed back to the Lakers by LeBron James which is quite interesting. It seemed when the speedy point guard left two years ago there appeared problems between the two. If you’ve followed the game, you are aware LeBron rarely relinquishes control of the basketball.

It seemed this might have been an issue between the two, notice I said it seemed to be. With LeBron extending a welcome to Schroeder via Twitter if there were issues evidently, they must be resolved now. I have been in a state of “what are they doing” this summer on the “new and improved” Laker roster. It is so very top heavy with guards especially point guards, does Westbrook’s future remain with the Lakers or somewhere else? I’m reading the same thing you are, the possibility of Beverley starting with Westbrook coming off the bench. The addition of Schroeder has likely sealed the fate of Scotty Pippen Jr. despite my desire for him to remain on the roster. I guess most of this will be addressed in the next few weeks with training camp about to start. 

The beginning

The NBA has officially returned, media day was held on Friday by the Hawks and Wizards. Yesterday on Saturday the Bucks, Hawks, Warriors and Wizards opened training camp. On Monday the Bucks and Warriors media day will be held. On Tuesday all other media days will be held and September 27 the remaining training camps open. It’s been an interesting summer for a variety of reasons. Probably at the top of the list Russell Westbrook (for now) remains a member of the Lakers. We finally heard from Ben Simmons of the Nets and Danny Ainge’s “housecleaning” of the Jazz continues. Ainge attempted to trade Donovan Mitchell to every team that probably talked to him.

He was finally able to accomplish this move trading Mitchell to the Cavs for a host of players. The Clippers will see the return of Kawhi Leonard to the lineup. In late news the Celtics open camp with Ime Udoka suspended for the season, assistant Joe Mazzulla takes over. In the category of non-people news construction is moving at a steady pace for the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The new home of the Clippers is scheduled to open in the fall of 2024. Suns owner Robert Sarver was given a 1-year suspension for his conduct and several days later Sarver announced he was placing a for sell sign on the Suns and Mercury franchises. Those are but a few of the story’s that emerged over the summer, more than likely I missed a few. The question remains for you reading this, are you ready for some NBA basketball? I certainly can place myself in the number.    

We miss the mark again…

Maybe the case might be we have our own agenda and wish to push it. Example, Shams Charania wrote “The NBA and NBAPA are expected to agree on lowering draft-age eligibility from 19 to 18 in the new CBA.” The first two letters from fans miss the mark completely. The first writer claims 18-year old’s are not mature enough to play in the NBA, the second writer claims they are changing the rule so Bronny James will be eligible. Let’s take this one letter at a time, once upon a time the NBA allowed high school players to be drafted.

There were some hits (Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady) but there have also been misses. The writer was partially correct every 18-year-old is not mature enough but don’t toss every 18-year-old into the same pot. As for the second letter writer his comment makes the least amount of sense. He's read comments made by LeBron James and his desire to play an NBA game with his son. This writer gives us the belief LeBron’s got enough power to force the players association to change their opposition to a rule in effect since 2006. If the writer is on the “Hate LeBron” bandwagon so, be it but don’t make up stuff to fit your view please.