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Basketball from a fans perspective

This is a basketball blog

You know this is a basketball blog however there are times I venture into other sports, that is the case here. John Sherman owner of the Kansas City Royals wants a downtown stadium for his baseball team. My primary concern…who pays for this billionaires edifice? Allow me to explain further, Sherman indicates the entire project will total about $2 billion, he says Royals management will contribute $1 billion. Taxpayers will be on the hook for the balance of construction costs. Let’s take a look at other parts of the nation. In San Francisco Chase Center home of the Warriors was opened in 2019, construction cost was $1.4 billion it was privately financed. Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle is not actually a new arena, the former Key Arena was gutted except for the iconic roof.

Construction for Climate Pledge was privately financed and amounted to $1.15 billion, this arena opened in 1962 had a re-birth in 2021. Intuit Dome planned home of the Clippers will open in 2024, construction cost projected to be $1.2 billion. The construction cost will be underwritten by owner Steve Balmer. We close this exercise looking toward Philadelphia and planned home of the Sixers, this arena has an opening hopeful in 2031. Construction cost will be privately financed. I hope you see the common theme here, we have no idea what occurs 10-15 years after these buildings are open. Will local taxpayers be responsible for arena upkeep, that is an unknown as this is written and cannot be answered. As much as I love sport it is shameless for taxpayers to underwrite the cost of luxury palaces for sports owners. If or when this issue is placed on the ballot you have an idea which direction I intend to vote. I realize the view expressed is in opposition to many but that's okay. I fail to see why the public must remain hostage to sports owners who attempt to "blackmail" citizens with implied threats. 

The “new” Big XII

Evidently Colorado decided their move in 2010 to the Pac-12 was not what they expected, the administration decided it might be better to return to the Big XII. There is history, Colorado became a member of the Big 7 conference in 1947. The conference expanded becoming the Big 8 and finally Big XII. Once Texas and Oklahoma depart for the SEC adding Colorado the Big XII will become a 13-team conference.

I cannot speak the football or basketball however since this is a basketball blog we check the past basketball standings. Last season the Buffs finished the regular season with an 18-17 record but over the prior four seasons they won 20+ games. Tad Boyle’s been head coach since the 2010-11 season, in that time his teams have won 272 games while losing 172 for a .613 percentage. Without researching the question it’s my belief a move of this type must have occurred in the past. My first thought on this movie is certainly quite different.

Lost in basketball history

You might be unable to repeat chapter and verse but you’ve heard of them, (Larry) Bird Rights and the Oscar Robertson rule. These player right changes impacted the game significantly however at least two more came into existence due to Spencer Haywood. Those who are familiar with the name Spencer Haywood are probably unsure of his impact on the game. There are two instances of Haywood rulings in the past that directly reflect players of today. The first is the NBA draft, in 1969 the NBA rule stated an athlete must have completed his senior year of college to be draft eligible.

The American Basketball Association had a similar rule however the ABA commissioner figured out a method to draft Spencer Haywood. In 1969 Haywood was ready for professional basketball, he proved it first at Trinidad Junior College and later at the University of Detroit. A Mike Storen investigation uncovered the fact Haywood’s family was impoverished, Storen was the first to formulate the term “hardship.” This new term simply meant any player desiring to leave college early could utilize the same procedure. Haywood signed with the Denver Rockets (Nuggets) and dominated the ABA in his rookie year but wait there is more. Once again Haywood would make an impact on the game, the owner of the Sonics signed Haywood the next season. This was in violation of NBA rules so what occurred you ask?

Sam Schulman then owner of the Sonics filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA which eventually made its way to the United States Supreme Court. The NBA would agree to a settlement and thus Haywood was allowed to compete in the NBA. The latter portion of Haywood’s career was checkered, it had nothing to do with his ability. It’s the belief of many drug usage would rob him of much of his basketball skill. By all indications since retirement Haywood’s direction in life is one of a positive nature. In closing I’ve provided just a tidbit of the history, there is additional detail should you desire to research further. 

Bits n Pieces  

Who are they, the reference is college basketball All-Americans? This was never an automatic ticket to the NBA but it was status i.e. being named to the first or second team. With countless players leaving college after their freshman year while others bypass college all together. I had no idea who earned All-Americans this past season so I had to check. Junior Zach Edney returned to Purdue, as for the others three seniors and one additional junior Jalen Wilson of Kansas are all headed to the NBA.

In the Class of 2025 we have a new name, allow me to introduce to several the name of Tee Bartlett. Bartlett hails from Coronado High School in Henderson Nevada. Although I’m hesitant to refer to him as a Big Man (6 foot 10) his 275 pounds says otherwise. Bartlett is rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals and 247Sports, headed into his junior year of high school there are several offers on the table. Among those are Arizona State, UNLV, Michigan, Ohio State and others. We shall pay attention over the next few years to determine where he might be headed, it could be college, the G-League, OTE or Australia.

What do I know about basketball…not much apparently. I watched all the Laker Summer League games, I remember seeing Alex Fudge in action but failed to see anything outstanding. Despite the fact I was unimpressed my opinion fails to count with the Laker coaching staff who took an opposing view. The staff decided in favor of adding the 6-foot 9-inch 200-pound wing to the roster in the form of a two-way contract. In order to make this move Cole Swider in his second summer with the Lakers was waived. Hopefully Swider will be able to latch onto a team. Although Fudge is not much of an offensive threat it was his defense which impressed the staff.