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Basketball from a fans perspective

Unknown quote

I searched for the author of this great quote, unfortunately I was unable to locate a name. I cannot give proper credit for these great words, well in any event here goes:

“Average players want to hear how good they are.

Great players want to hear how they can keep getting better.” 

New York was home too

If you said New York and the NBA you’d immediately think of the Knicks and Nets. While that’s certainly correct there were three other teams that once called New York state home. The Rochester Royals were an NBL team that began play in the 1945-46 season. According to the history the team was successful but failed to profit, in 1957 came a move to Cincinnati (OH). Cincinnati would remain home until 1972 when the franchise was moved again this time to Kansas City-Omaha becoming the Kings. In 1985 the Kings left Kansas City for Sacramento where they remain to date. In Buffalo we had the expansion Braves who came into existence in 1970.

In 1978 the Braves moved west to San Diego and were reborn as the Clippers. The other New York team was a member of the National Basketball League rival to the Basketball Association of America. The two leagues would merge in 1949 becoming today’s NBA, let’s check a little history, the Syracuse (NY) Nationals began play in 1946 the same season the BAA began play. It’s not clear if attendance was an issue or just the fact the NBA was focused on play in larger city’s but this is how the move occurred. The Philadelphia Warriors relocated to San Francisco at the end of the 1962-63 season leaving Philadelphia without an NBA team. That wouldn’t last long, the Nationals moved from Syracuse New York and would be reborn as the Philadelphia 76ers for the 1963-64 season.

Top 25

I took a look at several pre-season Top 25 teams, the majority have Kansas number one. The questions might revolve around several of the others on the list, for an example Purdue. CBS places them as the second-best college team in the nation, do you believe that high a ranking is legitimate? Matt Painter is a good coach so maybe I’m underestimating the Boilermakers. The biggest shocker for me and I hope this doesn’t appear a put down, they have Florida Atlantic University at four.

The Owls (yes that’s the team’s mascot) won 35 games last season losing only 4 games 2 of them conference and one in the NCAA tourney. CBS believes the SEC will be tough once again and it’s not just Kentucky, they place four other SEC in their Top 25. Is the Big XII as dominate as reported, this poll certainly doesn’t reflect that? Other than Kansas at the top only Baylor makes the list, I’m excluding Texas because they are headed for the SEC at the end of the season. Check the list, see if you agree with the assessment.

Am I superstitious? 

I might have been less than honest with myself about superstitions, I’ll explain. You are aware of the traditional stuff several folks believe, Friday the 13, walking under a ladder etc. etc. etc.  What occurred to change my mind, a conversation with a co-worker. We held a discussion on the subject and a Lakers game emerged from the back of my brain. I cannot provide you the day, date or anything connected with it except I remember it was a win for the Lakers.

I was parked in front of my television watching the Lakers battling a tough team in the playoffs. My wardrobe was a Laker Polo or jersey I don’t actually remember but the win I do. Down by two points one of the Laker players hit a 3-point basket as the clock read 0.00 as the horn sounded. I’m sure the neighborhood heard my screaming and hollering with the victory. Since that win if the Laker game is on television you will find me parked in front of my television with something Purple & Gold on. Does this superstition work all the time…of course not but it sure provides me a degree of comfort knowing I’m game ready?

Someone’s calculator is not working

By my fingers and toe count Cooper Flagg has two years before he is eligible for the NBA draft. For some reason I am seeing publications writing along these lines. They figure the 6-foot 8 youngster will play a year at Duke or somewhere and then declare for the draft. That’s not possible, hold your horses a moment and consider this fact. Flagg reclassified, he is 16 years old and his 17 birthday will not occur until December 21. It would appear the latest basketball wunderkind on the scene will not be eligible for the 2024 NBA draft no matter how ready he might be. As you can see his age prevents that from occurring, where I sit there are two scenarios that could play out.

Flagg could play his freshman year and then head for the G-League, Overtime Elite or Australia and play his “sophomore” year. On the other hand he could decide in favor of skipping college period and head off to play for one of the leagues mentioned above. No matter what his decision might be it’s the 2025 NBA draft for him, in this instance his age is the deciding factor rather than his basketball ability. Prior to this account being published a Kansas fan website listed Flagg as KU’s number one prospect, all I can say about that is good luck Bill Self with your effort. 247Sports list the youngster with 11 offers pending besides KU. Among a few of the schools with offers are Duke, UConn, Texas, Michigan and Villanova. I didn’t bother to check however Rivals.com claims there are 10 offers, whatever the number Cooper Flagg is certainly a hot Class of 2024 prospect.