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Basketball from a fans perspective

This is interesting

I read this on Tuesday from a .com website, “Three reasons why the Lakers must sign Christian Wood.” Then another one read, “Big-name free agents the Lakers resist the urge to sign.” There were three players in this account and the first name mentioned: Christian Wood. I find this quite interesting two accounts one opposing the other, I have no intention of re-telling the story for either. What I do intend to ask, if Christian Wood is such a valuable free agent why hasn’t another team besides the Lakers attempted to sign him? There’s an old saying, “One man’s treasure is another man’s junk.” A quick synopsis of bits and pieces of information on Wood. The first piece is his salary, although he’s a veteran Wood is only 27-years old and is highly unlikely to sign for the veteran minimum. According to more than one source the Lakers can only offer Wood the veteran minimum.

I admit I haven’t seen a great deal of Wood in action but a true concern exists for me. His bio indicates he’s played for 7 MBA teams which is certainly a concern. I have read when Wood is engaged he offers a great deal of offensive and defensive presence. You did notice I said engaged, what I’ve read there is difficulty sometimes in Wood being unfocused while on the court. Strange as it might sound I’m on both sides regarding Wood, I wouldn’t be upset should the Lakers fail to sign him. I’d just as soon have the Lakers give minutes to Colin Castleton after his summer league play. Here’s what I see, after a successful draft and free agent acquisitions it appears the Lakers are ready to compete for the 2024 NBA championship. A potential malcontent certainly wouldn’t aid the team this upcoming season, on the other hand could the possibility of championship make for a change in attitude. Naturally at this point we have no method to prove that.

I ain’t no trained medical professional

It is far too early to determine whether Bronny James, who suffered cardiac arrest, manages to play this season. As the headline reads I certainly claim no expertise in the medical field. This I do know, Southern Cal had a similar case last year, freshman forward Vince Iwuchukwu also suffered a cardiac arrest incident. After treatment and medical clearance he was able to return in January 2023 to play for the Trojans for the balance of the season.

It’s far too early to determine if that might be the case for James as well. As for the now…it’s possible without the medical setback James might have been a backup guard in the 2023-24 season anyway. It’s quite possible Southern Cal might have the best backcourt in college basketball. Returning is All-Conference guard Boogie Ellis and added to the team is Rivals number one prospect in the Class of 2023 Isaiah Collier. I certainly don’t wish to make any projections on the health of Bronny James, at this point in time we just don’t know.

A story

This account is related to the recent drama on ESPN, a New York Post story claims one of the reasons Jeff Van Gundy was terminated was the networks belief Van Gundy wanted to coach again. The account goes on to claim the network wants Doris Burke on the A-broadcast team. She would team with Doc Rivers, who the network is enamored with along with Mike Breen. This series of moves leaves Mark Jackson without a job, he’s laid off. B-broadcast team play by play guy Mark Jones has no analyst with the departure of Burke. Let’s take these moves one by one, first the account claiming Van Gundy wants to coach again.

There are several questions, does ESPN have confirmation Van Gundy wants to coach again or was he fired for other reasons? The NBA has “control” of the network broadcast groups, did Van Gundy’s continued criticism of officiating and other things rub the NBA hierarchy the wrong way? As for the move of Burke I can only speak for myself, she is a talent at analyzing the game, I can understand why they might want her teamed with the top broadcast crew. As for Rivers I’m unsure how to respond to this move. I’ve been a longtime critic of Rivers coaching, how am I to react hearing him making suggestions on coaching strategies when I have questions about him. Finally Mark Jackson let go by ESPN is a little surprising to me and maybe others. I’m unsure what occurred here unless the network just decided it was time to move on from him.

Revisionist history

The Buffalo Braves moved to San Diego and were re-named the Clippers and a later move placed them in Los Angeles. The Braves moved due to poor attendance and the fact they were less than successful on the court. Was a single decision responsible for the move to Los Angeles, we don’t know but check this out. The late Moses Malone would be enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame, he was a three-time NBA MVP and 12-time NBA All Star. That represents just a few of the honors Malone would receive but I’m getting ahead of myself. Malone signed with the Utah Stars of the ABA out of high school and one year later it was the Spirits of St. Louis. The Spirits were one of the ABA teams dissolved, their players were placed in a draft pool.

The NBA dispersal draft would see the Blazers chose Malone with the express intent to trade him. They had Maurice Lucas, Bill Walton and Lloyd Neal and figured “they didn’t need him.” Malone was traded to the Braves who failed to keep him as well. He wanted playing time and the Braves were unable to give him the minutes traded him to the Rockets. The balance of the story is left to the annals of NBA history. As I see it two teams missed the opportunity to play this Hall of Fame performer. The Blazers would see Walton suffer a series of injuries which forced him to miss major portions of the next few seasons. Malone would have a more successful NBA career than Lucas or Neal. As for the Braves unable to provide him the playing time he wanted Malone only played two games for them. Who knows…if they had gained additional talent alongside the talented Malone they may have been able to remain in Buffalo.