Basketball from a fans perspective

“Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory” 

Bill Russell

You win or lose

If you are a fan of the in-season tournament so be it, I’m not. NBA teams either win or lose a game once the ball is tossed in the air. Okay now that’s out of the way I’ll move on to “The Don” and his crew’s destruction of the Clippers. The Mavs were at home but managed to hang 144 points on the Clippers which for me was shocking. Luka posted game totals of 44 points while Kyrie Irving scored 27. If we check out the individual point totals the Clippers were able to score the ball, the problem was their “matador” defense, a 144-126 loss indicates they played little if any defense at points during the game.

The Clippers surrendered a stunning 77 points in the first half of the game. Whether it’s a coach decision or an individual someone’s got to sacrifice, who takes on a reserve role for these Clippers? If you think I’m being too critical of them that is not the case, I’ve heard them and so have you. Analyst after analyst some of them former NBA players have made similar statements. I mentioned this the other day but will repeat it, It’s likely Kawhi Leonard is Naismith Hall of Fame bound and so is Russell Westbrook. James Hardin is a possibility and Paul George has an outside chance. This Clipper team has roughly two weeks from this date to get their act together otherwise its going to be a long, long season. I make that statement remembering the stretch run made by the Lakers last season to gain a playoff spot.

Who qualifies

I’ve always believed an athlete enshrined in the hall of fame must have distinguished themselves during their college or NBA career. There are a number of athletes who lay claim to that early in their college or NBA career. They are named Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. These and a host of others have been enshrined however the game continues to be played. Are there so called second and third generation players worthy to be enshrined…of course there are. They are named Dirk, LeBron and Giannis and other names I might have omitted.

There are athletes, good ones who I believe lie on the periphery, they were genuine stars no argument from me. The larger question is are they worthy of enshrinement in the Naismith Hall of Fame? Who are they, GIMMESPORT provides us a list of names and none I take no issue with. They were very good players during the time period they played. The question is are they Naismith Hall of Fame worthy, well that causes me a slight degree of hesitation. Rather than go further allow me to provide you the names they listed, some might be unfamiliar to you. Google their names for reference and make your own determination.

Tom Chambers

Horace Grant

Shawn Marion

Mark Aguirre

Shawn Kemp

Ron Artest

Robert Horry

Chauncey Billups

Glen Rice

Rasheed Wallace

“The Louisville Lip”

Early in the boxing career of the late Muhammed Ali he was given the nickname, “The Louisville Lip.” Ali was from Louisville Kentucky and also talked a great deal of smack. Although he did plenty of talking he usually backed the talk up with action. In the Hall of Fame career of Joe Nameth there is probably only one instance of braggadocious recorded, he personally guaranteed his Jets team would beat the Colts in the Super Bowl which they accomplished. I guess it’s okay to talk a great deal when you are able to back it up. Since he left the Chiefs former WR Tyreek Hill has certainly been quite vocal. He’s irritated a few fans in Kansas City but he continues to excel at his craft.

As for Dillon Brooks that’s been another matter, you might remember last spring as a member of the Grizzlies he talked incessantly what he was going to do guarding LeBron James in their playoff series. This is written Wednesday afternoon prior to the Lakers evening game against the Rockets. Brooks is now a member of the Rockets but nothing’s changed, he still continues to pontificate on what he’s going to do to LeBron. His act has gotten a little old and stale for my taste. I don’t know who wins the game as this is written but it’s not Brooks in my view. LeBron is headed for a Hall of Fame induction as soon as he’s eligible. On the other hand maybe he’s one of those guys that must have something or someone in front of him to motivate play.

He was there  

Erick Spoelstra Heat head coach was there, he was the point guard for the Portland Pilots the opposition that afternoon. Spoelstra reflected on seeing the death of power forward Hank Gathers March 4, 1990, because it occurred on the basketball court. Although the medical history is different I’m reading Bronny James wants to play this season for USC. As for Gathers he stood 6 foot 7 and 210 pounds but he played much bigger than his size might indicate. Loyola Marymount ran a high-powered run n gun offense with Gathers and guard Bo Kimble the leaders.

1. “He was an unbelievable physical specimen.” Spoelstra remarked. “He was Amar’e Stoudemire before there was an Amar’e Stoudemire.” Gaithers was found to have an abnormal heartbeat and was prescribed medication. Because he claimed the medication affected his play its believed Gaithers didn’t take his medicine on game days. Gaithers collapsed on the court and despite efforts to save his life he died early Sunday evening in the hospital. An autopsy later revealed Gaithers suffered in lay terms a heart-muscle disorder. There are two other deaths attributed to the heart, Pete Maravich in 1988 and later Reggie Lewis in 1993.

1.Basketball Network