Published Monday thru Friday    

Basketball from a fans perspective

It's clear he’s annoyed…so am I

If you are unfamiliar with the name Rick Barry look him up. Based on the short read in ClutchPoints  Barry is clearly upset and I can understand why. Recently you read Gilbert Arenas and his view of NBA players, as I stated then and continue to maintain Arenas has a right to his view. Despite that fact it fails to take into consideration his assessment might be a little off base, that’s the argument for Rick Barry Hall of Fame player. What does Arenas, Shaq, Barkley or Rodman offer us as proof other than their mouth?

Those former players mentioned and others competed in the NBA at a high skill level. In truth can we take an NBA All Pro from 1958 and prove he couldn’t play at the same level in 2023? As I’ve attempted to point out players of this generation for the most part are better conditioned than those of the past. This generation has the advantage of trainers in addition to vitamin supplements and other stuff. I am going to try my best for this to be the last time the issue of old versus current players is covered. I have this declaration, please provide me solid proof other than your mouth Arenas, Shaq, Barkley and Rodman.

There are questions

James Harden has been a mystery to me over the course of his career. To me it’s attitude over talent, allow an explanation. The Sixers have become team number four and once again he’s ready to move. He’s declared “war” by referring to Sixer president Daryl Morey as “a liar.” That statement alone is likely not to change for Harden but I uncovered some interesting commentary on him. Before that’s covered let’s check the recent past, unable to get an extension with the Thunder Harden was traded to the Rockets. After several seasons with the Rockets once again Harden demanded a trade, this time it would be the Nets.

February 2022 another trade, Philadelphia would be the landing spot which he’s now requesting a move again. Some might remember Kevin McHale was the Rockets coach at the time Harden was acquired. I’m not going to detail the entire podcast but it was interesting. The shortened version McHale claimed Harden was unable or unwilling to do those things necessary for the Rockets to move to a championship level. Fast forward to the present, its claimed an increasing portion of the Sixer offense was tailored toward Joel Embiid. That certainly makes sense based on games I was able to view, Harden’s playoff basketball was up and down. Harden turns 34-years old this month which is not ancient but questions whether he’s worth a long-term contract. The contract issue appears to be the crux of Harden’s issue with the Sixers, this is an unfinished story, we shall see how its eventually resolved.

In another portion of the nation the questions involve long-time Blazer guard Dame Lillard. Is Game time over in Portland, that’s what we are led to believe. It seems since the end of last season the media has contained reports indicating Lillard wants to leave town. His situation is somewhat different from Harden in this regard, he’s only played for one team. Up till this point in time it appears Lillard was content remaining in Portland for the balance of his NBA career. What prompted this change in attitude, probably a number of issues but the chief one might have been listening to others. We began hearing legions of retired NBA players making similar statements. “He (Lillard) needs a playoff contending team.” The solo call for Lillard to leave Portland grew to a chorus advising him which contender he should consider. This is another case we have no ability to determine how the story ends.   

FIBA play

As most are aware FIBA play has begun, as this is written Team U.S.A. has won all 5 of its exhibition games. There is additional tough play ahead, I will continue to root for them to win. Overall it’s my belief the world has not caught up to U.S.A. basketball yet! You notice I said yet, that day might come at some point. As more and more international play comes about through the Olympics, FIBA, college and the NBA it will change. This past season the NBA had the largest number of international players in the leagues history. I cannot see a valid reason for complaints by those in this nation for a simple reason.

We have exported the game to great success around the world. I have no method to validate this statement but believe it to be true. Basketball is the world’s second most popular sport (except in Canada) ranking only behind soccer (football). As for the composition of Team U.S.A. that’s a different matter, NBA players make the choice to play or not. There is nothing that can be done in this area, on the other hand there is one thing…quit complaining. This rant is aimed at Shaquille O’ Neal and Mr. “I hate everything” Gilbert Arenas. Instead of complaining about who is not there how about boosting those who decide to play. There might be other former NBA players complaining about the makeup of the roster who however O’ Neal and Arenas appear to be leading the complaint department.

He won them over

Basketball fans are familiar with Rucker Park, this hotbed of basketball is located at 155^th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem. NBA legends of the past have played in this legendary  outdoor court, some of the names are Dr. J., Wilt, Kobe, Lebron and Durant performing on this historic basketball court. The names appearing include playground legends too, Earl “The Goat” Manigault, Pee Wee Kirkland and Herman “Helicopter” Knowings are just a few of those names.

You must either be special or perform spectacularly to impress the Rucker Park gathering. That’s exactly what Cooper Flagg did recently, can you imagine this? A 16-year-old white kid from Newport Maine had the crowd shouting his praises. It might be easy to assume Flagg might have been wowed after all the 2020 census indicates Newport has a population of 3,100. The Harlem portion of upper Manhattan where Rucker Park is located contains 200,356 citizens. I reported earlier Flagg reclassified and is now the top prospect in the Class of 2024. The 6-foot 8-inch 200-pound prospect has been compared to Larry Bird which I think is unfair. The hype machines have already begun to work overtime promoting this kid.

As for his schooling he attends Montverde Academy in Florida, the next question is where is he headed? In this age we cannot assume a prospect of his tenor is headed for a college, he’s got choices. Among Flagg’s choices are college…of course, Overtime Elite, NBA G-League and the NBL in Australia. I had no opportunity to see the Rucker game but I did see the shot. Flagg hit a step back 3-pointer sending the game into overtime. I cannot wait to see him in action whatever his choice might be.