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Basketball from a fans perspective

Twins 

As for those of the past there might have been others but the first set of twins my researched disclosed were the Van Arsdale’s, Tom and Dick. The Van Arsdale’s played collegiately at Indiana; Dick was drafted by the Knicks with the 10^th pick in the second round in 1965. He played for the Knicks and Suns during his 12-year NBA career. Tom was drafted that same year by the Pistons with the 11^th pick in the second round. His basketball career would match his twin playing from 1965-1977.

It would be several years before the next set of twins would play in the NBA, that would be the Lopez twins, Brook and Robin. The brothers played at Stanford University and were drafted in 2008. Brook was the 10^th pick in the first-round while Robin was made the 15^th pick in the same round, both are still active players in the association. Also included in our account are the Morris twins, Markieff and Marcus. These twins played college basketball at Kansas and were drafted in the NBA in 2011, both have played for several NBA teams. Next up are the Martin twins, Cody and Caleb Martin, Cody was drafted by the Hornets in 2019 twin brother Caleb went undrafted. As for the present Cody remains with the Hornets while Caleb is now with the Heat.

You are probably scratching your head wondering “where is he going with this story?” We are there, allow me to introduce to some the Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar and they are identical twins. These Oakland California athletes stand 6-foot 7-inches and 210 pounds, rest assured you will hear the commissioner announce their names in the 2023 NBA draft. The disclaimer on the twins, they are listed on several mock draft sites which pretty much assures them of being drafted, the success factor is certainly an unknown at this stage. In closing remember the names of these OTE athletes next June when their names are announced. I had completed this and realize a mistake, I omitted the Grant twins, Harvey and Horace Grant. Both had extensive NBA careers however Horace might have received more publicity due to his play with the Bulls and later Lakers.

I guess I’m easily impressed 

Despite the fact of being married to me my wife IS NOT a basketball fan. Her sport is Chiefs football and baseball Royals, on occasion we have basketball discussions although not often. Watching the morning local news she heard a story that prompted a question. The Mizzou-KU game scheduled this afternoon, and she made this comment, 'I didn't know Missouri was undefeated.' I answered in the affirmative and mentioned how impressed I am so far with the hire of Dennis Gates. 'I don't know what this Mizzou team will be in March, I don't even know if they win today.’  I’ve read and heard many complaints about the “soft schedule” Mizzou’s played to date. The explanation (or excuse), with the firing of Cuonzo Martin last spring the cupboard was empty. Memory says there were only a couple of seniors, but the balance of the team decided to transfer. At the time Gates was hired 3 players remained on the roster.

Aiden Shaw made a commitment to the previous coach thus deciding he would look elsewhere too. Gates talked to him and convinced him Mizzou would work for him and the freshman youngster has been adjusting to the college game. The head coach and staff recruited and recruited and recruited having to build this team on the fly. Laugh if you wish about Mizzou's soft schedule I'm not, there was a purpose in setting this up. With a collection of new players what do we suppose the record might be if Mizzou had scheduled Duke, UCLA or any traditional basketball power early in the season. I will repeat it again, I’m not laughing…I see the purpose of the “soft-schedule” it’s the end that counts (March). In closing a friend mentioned this to me and it certainly makes sense, ‘I doubt if the other team appreciates someone using the term soft to describe them.’ In closing allow me to repeat again, I’m one of a few souls in Mizzou Nation desiring a match with KU. I’ve said on more than one occasion that ship has sailed they are Big XII Mizzou is SEC. The only commonality between the two now is a shared state line, that reflects my view alone

Health forced him out

On Friday we received news 82-year-old Larry Brown was stepping aside, the long-time coach was serving as a special assistant to Memphis coach Penny Hardaway. The move is strictly health related although no details were released. Over the course of his playing and coaching career Brown’s always been a favorite of mine. After playing at North Carolina under legendary Dean Smith the 5-foot 9 guard found himself in the ABA, probably considered too short for the NBA.

Once his playing career was over Brown would move into the coaching ranks, he remains the only coach to win both an NCAA championship (Kansas) and an NBA championship (Pistons). His coaching career would include being inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2002. His love for the game kept him wanting to coach and teach it to generations of players over the years when it is likely he could have retired. So beginning as an assistant coach in 1965 he closes out a more than 40 year run at a number of stops throughout the nation and overseas. Whatever the health issue hopefully Brown can be cured and remain around for a long long time.

Often injured

The Warriors recently re-called James Wiseman from their G-League team. The jury remains divided on his NBA future, I was an early believer after NBA seasoning, he would be ready to play. Well that’s been a problem, Wiseman’s had difficulty remaining healthy enough to play consistently. As an example in four years he’s yet to play a full season. You might remember Wiseman played but three college games, the NCAA uncovered improprieties while in high school which impacted him at Memphis.

Forced to sit out a number of games Wiseman informed the NCAA after a time he had no intention to follow their mandate. He began off season training preparing for the 2020 NBA draft. The Warriors would make him the number two pick in the draft and from there Wiseman’s been on a roller-coaster. Although I admit to seeing few of Wiseman’s games, he remains a talented prospect but the larger question, can that potential be nurtured? Perhaps part of the problem he’s a Big Man (7 feet 240 pounds) trying to adapt his game to the small ball of the Warriors. On the other hand it could be something I’m missing entirely.

Old arenas still in use

Unlike NBA teams who appear to believe they require a new arena every few years college arenas are far different. It’s not the fact new arenas are never built for colleges and universities there are probably untold reasons they remain in use. Just a few of them and the year they opened, keep in mind all remain in use today:

Matthews Arena-Northeastern Boston 1910

Rose Hill Gymnasium-Fordham Bronx NY 1925

Lavietes Pavilion-Harvard 1926

Palestra-Penn Philadelphia 1927

Hinkle Fieldhouse-Butler Indianapolis 1928 (portions of the movie Hoosiers was filmed here)

Williams Arena-Minnesota 1928

Payne Whitney-Gymnasium Yale 1932

Develin Field House-Tulane New Orleans 1933

Haas Pavilion-Cal 1933

Municipal Auditorium-Kansas City 1936  

Rest assured these arenas have probably been remodeled over and over again. Also an interesting fact, except for two on the list all seat less than 10,000 spectators for games. After all Matthews Arena is 112 years old but it also proves a point. Just because an arena (or building is old) there is no requirement to begin demolishing it.