Basketball from a fans perspective

A distressing record

The Nets whipped the Pistons in Tuesday night’s action 118-112 thus establishing a new NBA record. Rest assured this was a record they certainly didn’t desire to hold. A little background, the Pistons topped the Bulls 118-102 on October 28, that would be the last win for them. The loss on Tuesday would become number 27 in a row. The Pistons broke the NBA record established by the Cavs on February 26, 2011, and tied by the Sixers on March 29, 2014, of 26 losses in a row. Sidebar here, I’ve not seen this Piston team play, the question might be asked are they that bad? I don’t think that would be the case, they are a young team which will require time.

There are three players on the roster over the age of 30 and the balance of team members are comprised of 20 somethings. In addition to the youth they have a veteran coach in Monty Williams. I believe if given time he can turn the team around the only question, how content will Piston Nation be while this team matures. Naturally, ownership is fully aware of the issue, there have been chants of “sell the team.” Piston owner Tom Gores responding to fans has gone on record indicating they are doing everything possible to bring the city a winning team. When is the losing streak going to come to an end with the first Piston win, that is unknown but it will happen we just have no idea. The dark overcast skies of winter appear over whatever arena the Pistons happen to appear in over the past two months.

Bits n Pieces

Mark Cuban will continue to be very much in view of all. As you are aware he sold his majority share of the Mavs to the Las Vegas Sands casino company for $3.5 billion. The NBA had to approve the sale which is a standard procedure. Despite the sale Cuban will retain shares in the team and will retain his seat on the NBA Board of Governors. We are informed he will also continue in the role of spokesperson for operations of the Mavs.

What do you suppose is the best college conference to date, this account is based on non-conference play? This unscientific check indicates the strongest play through the end of December is the Big XXI .785 followed by the SEC with a .704 mark. The ACC trails with .688, technically speaking the Mountain West is second with a .730 rating however that’s a little suspect.

Speaking of college basketball former Mizzou Tiger Kim English now a coach has Providence off to a smooth start. The Friars have 11 wins and only 2 losses prior to the beginning of conference play, they are the 25th rated team in the nation. English was hired at head coach at Providence after two seasons at George Mason. His last team at George Mason finished with a 20-13 record 11-7 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.   

He’s in the Naismith Hall

His scoring average was 6.7 points a game in 409 games, yet he’s been enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. By now you are wondering how someone would be elected to the prestigious basketball shrine with such insignificant numbers. The question is more about the time the late Chuck Cooper played and what he managed to accomplish during his playing career. He graduated from high school in 1944 and enrolled at West Virginia State College (University) for a semester before being drafted in the latter stage of World War II. Following his military service Cooper enrolled at Duquesne University and was selected an All-American four years. At that time the only opportunity to play professional basketball for black players was the Harlem Globetrotters. The timeline is unclear if Cooper ever suited up for the Trotters because his next move would become one of a historic nature.

April 25, 1950, the Boston Celtics drafted Cooper as the 14th pick in the second round. A move of this nature upset a number of NBA owners and this was the quote from Walter Brown then Celtic owner. “I don’t give a damn if he’s striped, plaid or polka dot. Boston takes Charles Cooper of Duquesne.” Cooper played his first game November 1, 1950, thus becoming the first black player drafted to play in the NBA. It should be noted there were two additional black players who began play that year. Also making their debut in 1950 was Earl Lloyd of the Washington Capitols and Nat Clifton with the Knicks. As for Cooper his NBA career ended in 1956 as a member of the Fort Wayne Pistons. After basketball Cooper held a number of positions benefiting the community. In 1984 he died of cancer at the age of 57, Chuck Cooper another name you should be familiar with from basketballs rich history.