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Basketball from a fans perspective

 Harry Truman

As far as we know the 33^rd president was not a basketball fan, he might have played the game in his youth so what’s the connection? Truman coined a phrase which I’ve used often, “If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.” Evidently it is now time for the Grizzlies Dillon Brooks to extract himself from the kitchen based on what we read. As this is written I have no idea who wins this series between the Lakers and Grizzlies.

Regardless of the outcome Brooks has allowed the basketball world to familiarize themselves with his name. He wants to be the second coming of Dennis Rodman/Bill Laimbeer/Bruce Bowen. Check some NBA history in case the names are unfamiliar to you. In any event you know the story on Brooks, talk…talk…talk, he told us he wanted to play LeBron James before the match was even confirmed. He talked some more regarding LeBron’s age and other things and then the incident. In the third quarter in Game 3 as LeBron was dribbling the ball up the court Brooks delivered a blow to LeBron’s private area. Was it an acting job and the blow was not as severe as we might believe, that’s certainly possible? The result was an immediate ejection by game officials for Brooks.

Then it occurred Sunday afternoon…the interview. Brooks in an AP interview blamed “Fans and the media for making him the villain.” I almost fell out of my chair laughing after reading his comment and my thought was simple. You, Dillon Brooks brought all this on yourself and are blaming others for your actions…keep it real man and that ain’t real. You wouldn’t talk to the media after the game yet a day later had no problem opening up with a bogus defense of yourself.

He's headed for the NBA

Sunday, April 23 11:59 p.m. was the cut-off for college players to declare for the NBA draft. We read reports minutes before that Emoni Bates announced via Instagram he was headed for the NBA. Nothing’s changed for me, you might remember recently I wrote of my belief Bates should remain in school. I’m unsure if I mentioned this portion of the story, ESPN+ was added by yours truly to see Eastern Michigan games. I ain’t no scout but made the determination Bates required another season of college ball. The problem is that Ypsilanti is home for Bates but Eastern Michigan was not a good fit for him.

This is not an intended criticism of the city, coach or school…the basketball program I witnessed was not very good. What I hoped might occur Bates would enter the transfer portal and find another school but that’s changed now, what does the future appear for Bates? Bates is listed as a late first round draft pick or he might last into the second round, then again, he might discover he’s passed over entirely. Bates can look at the Austin Reaves story and sign a free-agent contract. If a team indicates he needs additional seasoning, then it’s off to the G-League so. As a last resort there is always Australia or Euro basketball so you can see there are options for Bates.

Rockets coach

Late Monday afternoon came word the Rockets intend to hire Ime Udoka as their next head coach, Udoka replaces Stephen Silas who was terminated. Immediately after reading the account I began reading letter after letter reminding us why Udoka was fired from his head coaching duties for the Celtics. There is no disagreement by me, Udoka “forced” the Celtics to fire him not over the teams record but an HR issue. I said at the time and maintained that view he was not very wise, I also remember saying there was no requirement to place him on a permanent time-out.

After Steve Nash was fired Udoka’s name was mentioned as a replacement, I said at the time it was too soon. The Celtics are playing outstanding basketball this season thanks in part to the plan Udoka laid out for them. I believe Joe Mazzulla who replace Udoka is a good coach however he inherited much of what was already in place. Depending on the set of circumstances I believe everyone deserves a second chance and besides the fact it’s yet to be proven the guy can’t coach. Udoka got caught in an HR issue which forced the Celtics to fire him. If this hire with the Rockets is affirmed, I’m all for it, good luck coach.

The Lakers made a bad move

Seeing Russell Westbrook in action in the playoffs I can agree with the commentary I heard. The commentator made the claim he believed the mercurial guard “received too much finger pointing for the lack of Laker success.” This member of Laker Nation is forced to admit this but the question becomes why? Realizing the ball needed to be in the hands of Russell, why did Laker management and LeBron believe this match would work? LeBron commands the basketball no matter where he’s played and I have no issue with that fact.

Laker management should have been more aware of the ball dominating Westbrook than me. So as much as I have praised the Laker moves since the trade deadline, they receive an F for past efforts. The F for acquiring Russell Westbrook believing he could mold himself into a new role with the Lakers. I remember questioning the move at the time but gradually accepted it believing it would work. Westbrook still can’t throw the ball in the ocean at times, in addition there is the turnover factor. Despite these issues his ability to drive and rebound remain consistent. I eventually joined the masses imagining Westbrook was the problem and that observation was incorrect. The real culprits in this matter was Laker management and LeBron James.