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Basketball from a fans perspective

NBA Coach of the Year

There should be no argument from anyone, the NBA Coach of the Year is Kings coach Mike Brown. Once upon a time Kings coaches were in a revolving door pattern. Just as soon as one coach was hired within a short time, we heard he’d been fired and replaced by an interim who was made head coach, then he was later fired. It almost made us wonder if management loved paying the coach on staff and the one fired. That method of operation appears to have changed now, as this is written the Kings are in third place in the Western Conference with 26 wins on their resume. Before I go further allow me to repeat an old adage, “Coaches get too much credit when a team wins and too much blame when they lose.” Okay applause is due Mike Brown, and he should be NBA Coach of the Year.

Get this Brown was fired twice by the Cavs and once by the Lakers. The Cavs story is real interesting owner Gilbert claimed “I made a mistake firing him” yet turned around later and fired him again. That and the Lakers are in Brown’s rear-view mirror now. He became an assistant to Steve Kerr and at times assumed the role of head coach for the Warriors. Brown was considered a contributing factor in the Warriors championship last season. May 9, 2022 he was announced as the next head coach of the Kings. As for the team perhaps the talent was there all along and that was required a steady hand directing them to the next level. That steady hand has proven to be Mike Brown, congratulations on winning Coach of the Year. I realize the winner of this award is yet to be announced but I’m prepared you ahead of time.

Give that man that job

The Lakers certainly haven’t set the world on fire with their early season play. After the calendar turned to 2023, they have played slightly better despite the fact Anthony Davis has been missing since December 16. Part of the reason for the improved play is the result of Thomas Bryant moving into the starting lineup. Bryant has provided good numbers although there are probably a limited number of plays run for the 6-foot 10 center. I reported this in the past, AD claimed whoever was playing the post caused floor spacing issues for him. AD’s gone on record on more than one occasion indicating he prefers to not play center.

If that’s still the case, it says to me there should be s change made and Bryant should be the center. As for the Sunday night game Bryant wasn’t the high scorer in the win against the Blazers, but he certainly filled the box scoring. 31 points on 12-15 shooting (80%) from the floor, his game also included 14 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. The game represented a career high in scoring for Bryant, if you check his season totals, they appear average. Despite this fact there are two considerations to consider, he’s not been a starter all season until recently. In addition I mentioned earlier it’s likely the Lakers probably run few plays for Bryant at the post position. One note related to the team, the Lakers had surrendered a lead to the Blazers and came roaring back from a 25-point half-time deficit on the road no less to secure the victory. There is a report Patrick Beverley was part of the basis for the comeback, it’s claimed he took over the locker room at half time.

To top off the amazing comeback Beverley had the gall to gesture to the crowd near the end. You’ve seen the motion Dame Lillard does signifying Game Time, Beverley did the same thing, don’t think that’s gonna come back at him next time? As this account was being finished the Lakers were able to consummate a trade with the Wizards. The Lakers will receive Rui Hachimura a 6-foot 8 230 pound forward who plays both wing positions. Headed to the Wizards are Kendrick Nunn and three second round picks, more on this trade in the Wednesday addition of Off the Dribble.

The Great White Hope-from June 2022

History says Jack Johnson was an outstanding heavyweight boxing champion. He took on a variety of boxers one after the other and beat them all holding the championship belt from 1908-1915. The flamboyant lifestyle of this black heavyweight champion caused a problem for many in white America. The call went out for a white boxer to face Johnson in the ring, elements in the nation wanted a white champion to beat Johnson. Although the racial climate of the nation has changed over time it’s whispered in some circles basketball needs a Great White Hope.

Venerable Larry Bird was just that for a number of years, outstanding in all phases of the game. Bird would lead his Celtic teams to championship after championship. Next up was Dirk Nowitzki the 7-foot power forward for the Mavs who could shoot lights out. The talented Nowitzki would lead the Mavs to their only championship to date. The multi-talented white player has always been here, perhaps not in considerable numbers existing in the 1950’s and 1960’s but he’s here. Do you want a few examples of current players, how about the Joker? The Nuggets Nikola Jokic skilled Big Man from Serbia, the Joker’s skill is peak at all elements of the game. He especially excels at passing the basketball for a man 6 foot 11 inches. For the second year in a row the Joker was selected as NBA MVP.

Moving on in the Southwest part of the nation Dallas to be precise we have The Don, Luka Doncic from Slovenia. Doncic is only 23-years old, after winning Rookie of the Year in 2019 he’s done nothing but improve his numbers in succeeding years. Waiting in the wings to make his presence known is Chet Holmgren, in all likelihood the Thunder will choose him in the June draft and the skinny youngster will hopefully take his place in a few years as an NBA celebrated. There are probably other great white players who may have been overlooked but our desire has been simple…just look around the NBA.

A name you should know

Dick Barnett is 85-years old now, he must walk aided by a cane. Although he certainly had a good NBA career it was college where he first came to our public awareness. The 1950’s were a different time in the U.S., most black athletes attended HBCU schools and that was the case for Barnett. Although from Gary Indiana he would head south to Tennessee A&I (now Tennessee State) an NAIA institution and they would make history. Beginning in 1957 the school won three consecutive championships, the first school to accomplish this feat it wasn’t legendary John Wooden at UCLA. Barnett was selected MVP of the tournament in 1958 and 1959.

 The late John McClendon was head coach at Tennessee A&I and Barnett would later play for him with the Cleveland Pipers of the American Basketball League…not to be confused with the ABA. The ABL lasted one and a half seasons before folding in the winter of 1962. Barnett would be drafted by the Syracuse Nationals (who later moved to Philly becoming the Sixers) and played for them but two seasons. The Nats sold his rights to the Lakers where the sharpshooter’s NBA career would blossom. In October 1965 Barnett was traded to the Knicks remaining with them until his retirement in 1974. Barnett played with and against some of the NBA greats of that era, in 2019 he and his Tennessee teammates were enshrined in the College Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City.