Basketball from a fans perspective

The NBA now has company

Christmas Day December 25 was once exclusively cornered by the NBA, the first game was played December 25, 1947, the first year after the league existed. Televising Christmas Day games don’t exist quite that long ago. According to information I uncovered the first Christmas Day broadcast occurred in 1967, just a single game. As the NBA expanded an increasing number of games were added to the calendar. As for 2023 we see the first game begins at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time and the last kicks off at 10-30 p.m. Eastern, a total of 5 games to be played.

These games are spread across the ABC/ESPN family of networks but wait there is more. A sentence or so ago I stated the last NBA game kicks off etc. etc. That’s exactly what has occurred, the NBA now has “company” for its games…no longer is it the only sport televised. Over time the NFL has added teams as well, the league probably seeing what the NBA’s accomplished over the years decided to follow suit. There were three NFL games scheduled Christmas Day maybe the most televised ever, Raiders at Chiefs, Giants and Eagles and Ravens playing the 49ers. Don’t get the wrong impression I see nothing wrong in this change I’m simply pointing out a change in programming that once didn’t exist at a point in time.

An enabler

Did you see what occurred, Jae Morant returned from suspension for the Grizzlies. The speedy point guard appeared to have not missed a beat, he was key to the improved play of his team. I wrote at the time my hope he’d learned a lesson in the suspension. Folks you hang out with don’t always have your best interest at heart. If we go back in NBA history I read Allen Iverson’s “posse” impacted his actions during his NBA career. To my knowledge Iverson was never suspended however we can look back and ask questions about a portion of his time in the NBA. It would have been a good idea if Iverson had kept his friends a little further away. I didn’t say abandon friends but not allow them to influence your actions to a point it causes a problem with your team.

Recently we discovered not only are their friend influences around Morant there is family as well. I read Tee Morant father of Jae was interviewed on Sirius radio and appeared to proclaim his son had not changed his circle of friends and acquaintances. Keep in mind I’m seeing this issue through eyes provided me by the media, that’s the only method available. Based on what I read I must conclude Morant’s father is an enabler as well by his statement. Is he proclaiming his son is not changing the circle and it appears he’s said nothing or intends to steer clear of his son’s decisions? When you offer excuses for questionable behavior you become an enabler, does the term fit Tee Morant?

George Karl

At the beginning of this account I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve not been a fan of former coach George Karl for a time, he’s got plenty to say about the NBA and its players. The unfortunate part about 97% of his views are negative so I believe that allows me to be disapproving in this account. He’s started by questioning why the Lakers are placing a banner up after winning the NBA In-Season Tournament. His words not mine, “It goes along with the championship they won in the bubble.” Why are media members searching out this guy when his success rate is questionable as a coach.

Teams he coached earned playoff berths 10 years in a row, that’s the good. As for the bad it was 9 losses in the first round in those 10 years. If you believe my anger is due to his critical remarks on the Lakers its more than that, Karl’s got nasty stuff to say about pretty much any player or team, he is an equal opportunity criticizer. Want a couple more examples how about the Sixers Joel Embiid. “He has lazy body language,” it sure would be interesting for Karl to define exactly what he means for the reigning NBA MVP. But wait there’s more, he and former player JR Smith have also clashed. Karl: “(Smith) One of the most insecure players I ever coached,” so I’m guessing Karl received a psychology degree or some course in that area of study.

DeMarcus Cousins also suffered from the sharp tongue of Karl, there is one more former player Kenyon Martin. Karl coached Martin while both were with the Nuggets, they clashed to the degree Martin threatened to do bodily harm to Karl. I’m quite sure there are other former players who don’t hold Karl in high regard, those mentioned are the ones I could locate somewhat easily. I’m going to close this exercise by stating George Karl is not one of my favorites, in the future I must place him alongside the others. You know who they are, unlike Karl most of them are media members.

More than one championship

The Lakers are tied with the Celtics with 17 NBA Championships, that number is the most in the NBA. Could there have been more if they kept a portion of the talent included in trades. This is no revisionist history however it came about based on a photo of Brandon Ingram that appeared on ESPN’s NBA page and it got me to consider the what if. The Laker staff over the years has done a decent job of scouting out talent even if it’s not always remained in Los Angeles.

Despite this fact a number are now part of another team although they began as Lakers. It should be of note several were drafted by other NBA teams but made their NBA debut in Purple and Gold. I included them because the scouting staff must have concluded the athlete has potential talent. I could include D’Angelo Russell drafted in 2015 however the point guard returned in a trade to the Lakers in late winter 2023. This list is not intended to be complete just a few of the names I uncovered including the year they were drafted and their current team:

Brandon Ingram pick 2, 2016 – Pelicans

Julius Randle pick 7, 2014 – Knicks

Lonzo Ball pick 2, 2017 – Bulls

Kyle Kuzma pick 27, 2017 drafted by the Nets, traded to the Lakers – Wizards

Josh Hart pick 30, 2017 drafted by the Jazz traded to the Lakers – Knicks

Jordan Clarkson pick 46, 2014 drafted by the Wizards traded to the Lakers – Jazz

Talen-Horton Tucker pick 46, 2019 drafted by the Magic traded to the Lakers – Jazz

Larry Nance Jr. pick 27, 2015 – Cavs

Ivica Zubac pick 32, 2016 – Clippers

Thomas Bryant pick 42, 2017 – Heat