Basketball from a fan’s perspective

I’m still Purple & Gold

Did I share this earlier, I’m not sure but the bulk of this account is fresh. Local radio guy almost caused me to crash my car one day. He informs his co-host and the listening audience "I'm a Laker fan." He then begins to name several of the Showtime Lakers. My first thought, you ain't no fan you are a fan of an era. Loyal fans root for their team during good and tough times. The Lakers managed to avoid elimination Saturday evening, they beat the Nuggets 119-108 thus avoiding a Nugget sweep that would have been the second season in a row.  

The Lakers now return to Denver for Game 5 this evening, the 11-game losing streak is officially over however that makes for another question. I wonder if I am failing to give the Nuggets enough credit for their on court success after all they are the defending NBA Champions. Saturday evening with their backs against the wall the Lakers emerged from the locker room determined to not close this out at Crypto.com arena, they led in this game wire to wire. Neither D’Lo nor Austin Reaves were high scorers but their presence was very much noticed on Saturday. The two backcourt mates matched one another in scoring 21 points apiece, Reaves dished out 6 assists to 4 for D’Lo. AD contributed 25 points and 23 rebounds while battling the Joker for most of the evening. LeBron scored 30 points on 61.9% shooting from the floor in 39 minutes of action on the floor.

All in all it was a team effort by the Lakers which led the way to victory, whatever occurs tonight I’m still Purple & Gold. This Laker team is still mine, I will continue to enjoy the victories and accept the sadness of losses. After all that’s what you do with a team if you are a loyal fan, if you claim fandom during good times you need to turn in your Laker Nation card. Hey radio guy, I’m a loyal fan whatever the outcome. The Showtime era was great but that’s in the past, what about now?

He was the glue

The most recent Sixer NBA Championship occurred in 1983, if asked to name members of that team most will name rebounding machine Moses Malone while Doctor J. would be on the lips of others. Some could mention shot maker Andrew Toney or point guard Mo Cheeks. A much lesser number will cite Bobby Jones and there is a reason. Jones’ game was not about scoring his NBA lifetime saw him score at a modest 12.1 points a game it was the other thing. When called upon Jones could score the ball but that was not his primary role…he was the defender.

The slim (6-9 210 pound) power forward was a lockdown defender, it was Jones who always took on the role of attempting to shut down his opposite number. Jones had emerged a star in the ABA and was a member of the Nuggets, he might have remained with them in the NBA but there was a question. Jones had a series of health issues generally unknown to most of the public. There was an epilepsy diagnosis and he was asthmatic, in addition there was a heart issue these concerns worried Nuggets management. They decided to trade Jones for George McGinnis, McGinnis played less than two years while Jones spent 8 seasons in a Sixer jersey. Of course one of those seasons resulted in the 1983 championship in which Jones played a vital role.

After the 1986 season Jones decided to retire but left quite a legacy behind him. Just a few of the NBA honors include four times NBA All Star, 8 times NBA Defensive First Team, NBA Defensive Second Team, NBA Sixth Man of the Year 1983. There were many more honors Jones earned while playing in the ABA. In 2019 he would be enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. It should be of note a medication routine allowed him to play at an exceptional level in the NBA, in addition at the age of 72 he remains regularly active.

The Basketball Rules

They are simple and easily explained, they are my rules. If you have a separate set that varies from mine that’s okay, I’ve discovered these work best for me. You can adapt them or simply ignore, the choice is yours.

1. Never match players from different eras against one another.

2. A nickname must be awarded, a player cannot bestow a handle on himself.

3. Comparing draft choices ensure the player you use as the example is well known.

4. Become acquainted with basketball abbreviations or phrases. 

5. Research high school prospect sites periodically, they are a valuable source.

6. NBA mock draft sites are a reference tool only, an analyst opinion.

7. Don’t attempt to invoke humor when discussing a serious event or person.