Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Wow

Will NBA G-League Team Elite be shut down, that’s not a statement however it could be at some point in the near future. Commissioner Silver pointed to a fact I believe most of us hadn’t considered. Silver pointed out there are college athletes Bronny James and Shedeur Sanders to name just two whose incomes far exceeds those playing for Team Elite. The same story might prevail for rival OTE also providing salaries to its participants. No decision has been reached at this time but the future for G-League Team Elite and OTE might be in serious jeopardy.

Bits n Pieces   

By now you are aware I take the State of Missouri motto seriously. In case you are unfamiliar it says, “I’m from Missouri you’ve got to Show Me.” That’s it, don’t tell me Show Me by what you are able to accomplish and that’s the point for me. I’m uncomfortable with Laker coach Darvin Ham, I’m not calling for him to be fired but confused by his statements. This is an example, after signing Spencer Dinwiddie the coach said, “Maybe I’ll use a three-guard lineup in some instances.” He would be utilizing Austin Reaves, D’Lo and the newly acquired Dinwiddie in this projected lineup. My first thought is a team’s lineup, you are giving up height. On the other hand this is not intended to be a permanent move only if the game allows it.

I came across an interesting story one unfamiliar to me and probably you as well. There is a shoe, PF Flyers, which apparently has been on the market since the early days of basketball. The shoe looks remarkably similar to the Converse Chuck Taylor’s. According to my research the PF stands for Performance Fit and this shoe first arrived on the market in 1937. Originally a product of the B.F. Goodrich Tire Company the shoes are now manufactured by Kassia Designs. This might be a first, it was not Dr. J., Magic or Bird with the first basketball shoe endorsement. The honor goes to former Celtic Bob Cousy, his signature shoe was first made available in 1953.

This is a little different basketball story you might have heard previously. PJ Tucker wants to leave the Clippers but he refuses a buyout. You might remember Tucker was acquired in a trade October 31, he’s indicated he didn’t ask for the trade to the Clippers and he desires to play for another team. Based on his very public stance the Clippers fined Tucker a record $75,000. Tucker is now 38 years of age and his stance is interesting…what do you think?

It was the money

4-5 years after its founding (1967) the decision to sign with an NBA or ABA team might be clear, in the first year of operation no one has any idea what will occur for this startup league. Based on the future being unknown money became the decider in that initial ABA season? For the late Mel Daniels the decision was simple, it was the money…the explanation now follows. After playing for the University of New Mexico Daniels says the higher number was the decider. Drafted by the NBA Cincinnati Royals (Kings) “They offered $15,000 as a bonus and $17,500 salary. On the other hand the Minnesota Muskies of the ABA offered $15,000 bonus and a $30,000 salary. So somehow the higher number won out.”

Daniels was named ABA Rookie of the Year with 22 points and 15.6 rebounds a game and then a strange thing occurred…a trade. It’s been mentioned on several occasions that a substantial number of ABA teams were hemorrhaging money, the Muskies were one of those teams. Daniels along with others was traded to the Indiana Pacers where he would spend the major portion of his basketball career. After retirement Daniels remained in the game as an assistant coach, he helped develop a guy by the name of Larry Bird while he was an assistant at Indiana State. Daniels was honored and enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2012. He died in 2015 complications from heart surgery, he was 71. Daniels bio indicates he was a poet, he wrote more than 20,000 poems in his lifetime. Mel Daniels is a name you should be familiar with from basketball’s rich past.