Basketball from a fans perspective

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The NBA in Seattle

On Friday evening Seattle NBA fans were treated to a game between the Clippers and Maccabi Ra’Anana from Israel, the game was played at Climate Pledge Arena. It should be of note Climate Pledge was formerly known as Key Arena and has been completely overhauled internally, this arena once    served as home for the Seattle Sonics. Seattle fans having no connection to either team I wondered about the attendance for this game.

The Clippers lineup contained no regular starters, and the Maccabi team was totally unknown to me. There was no surprise on the outcome as the Clippers won easily 121-81, surprise. The announced attendance of 9,333 was a little surprising to me, I thought more fans might decide to attend. At the same time I have no idea without a further check on ticket pricing, that plus the opponent (Maccabi) could have been a factor in limiting the crowd. Perhaps tomorrow night’s game featuring the Clippers and Blazers might be a better guide to determine Seattle interest in the NBA.  

Why is it an association rather than a league?

It’s the National Football League, Major League Baseball or National Hockey League. Why does the NBA refer to itself as an association when in truth it too is a league? I’m happy you asked the question because we must return to the past for the answer. We consider the 2022-23 season the 75^th Anniversary of the NBA however technically that is incorrect. The NBA can do what it do because it is the NBA, as for the anniversary allow us to delve into past history. In 1946 a collection of teams totaling 16 began play as the Basketball Association of America or BAA. The Knicks and Celtics are two of those original teams remaining from the founding. History was not so kind, 4 of the 16 teams would be gone after that first season, one additional team went belly up by the second season. Year three would see four BAA teams added to replace the defunct franchises, however 1949 is the key date for us to circle.

The National Basketball League or NBL at its 1937 founding contained 38 teams, over time subtraction saw many of those franchises vanish. In 1949 the BAA and NBL merged to become one league and was anointed the National Basketball Association or NBA. We can only guess the thought process must have been, there might have been a belief the word association (joining together) might have sounded better than a merger, it’s strictly a play on words in my view. A number of present-day NBA teams trace their roots directly to the NBL, these include the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers to name a few. This last part most might question “Why so many franchises went out of business”? It was likely a combination of factors the chief one being the sport itself. We must take into consideration unlike today the NBA might have been considered minor league in the eyes of many at that time. It was baseball first then college football, shoot even the NFL wasn’t that popular in the 1940’s.

What do you think?

Subject to change however this is the lineup coach Ham has used most in practice to date. Damian Jones at center, AD at power forward, LeBron small forward, Kendrick Nunn shooting guard and Russell Westbrook at the point. This is quite interesting for a number of reasons allow further explanation. Of those names Nunn is probably the biggest X factor for a number of reasons. Nunn went undrafted in 2018 but managed to play for the Warriors G-League team, from there it was two seasons with the Heat. In 2021 he signed a free agent contract with the Lakers. Injuries have sidelined Nunn up to this point, he’s yet to set foot on a basketball court in a Laker jersey in real game action.

The Heat didn’t depend on Nunn for scoring when in the game his three-point shooting was above average. At center is Damian Jones who somehow walked away from the Lakers the first time around. Signing a free agent contract again the team likes the 6-foot 11 Jones shot blocking ability plus his lob potential around the basket from LeBron, Westbrook and others. The Lakers don’t require scoring from Jones just consistent defense around the rim. This brief look at the Lakers closes with a look at the team’s mystery man Russell Westbrook. What should Laker fans expect in year two from the mercurial point guard? If the team manages to avoid major injuries to LeBron and AD I expect an improved season from Westbrook, how much better?   

This is different

Without researching the question it’s my belief only Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon might be the lone NBA player to become an American citizen. Olajuwon originally from Nigeria arrived here in 1980 to begin play at the University of Houston, we know the balance of his resume. Sixer Joel Embiid arrived on these shores from Cameroon. Embiid first attended high school in Florida and later played a season for Bill Self at Kansas. Embiid was drafted as the third pick by the Sixers in 2014 and after a few years of negligible play he’s become a bona fide top notch NBA center.

Last week Embiid announced he’s become an American citizen, despite the connection to Cameroon he’s now an American. This from Embiid, “I’ve been here for a long time. My son is American. I felt like, I’m living here and it’s a blessing to be an American. So I said, why not?” Asked about the Olympics the Sixer Big Man had no answer for the question. As most are aware there have been a steady stream of European, African and Asian athletes who played in the past and are currently active in the NBA. As I first indicated Olajuwon and Embiid are the only two that have become naturalized citizens. As for Mr. Embiid allow us to welcome this brand-new American citizen.