Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Elimination

Sunday evening saw the Suns eliminated from the 2024 playoff race, they lost their game 122-116. The Wolves managed to sweep them 4-0 which is impressive for several reasons. We return briefly to June 24, 2023, and the trade…you know the one. The Suns acquired veteran Bradley Beal from the Wizards, he would aid them in winning an NBA Championship with his shooting prowess. This from last October Devin Booker, “I don’t know how teams are gonna guard us.” His comment was followed up with these words by teammate Kevin Durant who said; “You can’t guard all of us at once.” Adding Beal to the roster in a trade certainly provided the Suns a great deal of firepower and belief in the team’s future.

Technically speaking both Booker and Durant were correct, the Suns roster contained quite a number of outstanding shooters. They had Kevin Durant at the power forward, Booker at the point and Beal at shooting guard. In addition there was Eric Gordon and Grayson Allen in the mix, the Suns would finish the regular season with a 49-33 record good enough to finish second in the Pacific Division. Once the playoffs began and they were matched against the Wolves we discover there may have been a missing piece…a defensive commitment. There may have been other issues I overlooked but until someone tells me different that’s my belief. As an example the Bucks are without Giannis and maybe Dame Time, if they lose their series it is understandable, they are missing valuable contributors, I cannot make a similar statement regarding the Suns loss.

It was major league to them

I’ve mentioned this in the past, in 1947 up through 1960 the NBA claimed it was a major league although if we checked out the location of its franchises they reflected a minor league. The NBA always believed it was major league however unlike the NFL or baseball its teams played in smaller cities. This is no criticism of the towns it’s just a clear fact the NBA began operations in smaller towns and cities. How about us taking a check of just a few of these towns that once had NBA teams?

The first town on our list is a little curious, Sheboygan is located only 60 miles or so from the City of Milwaukee, even back then surly Milwaukee certainly had a greater number of citizens, perhaps it was more to the story why Sheboygan over the larger city. The team then known by a no longer in use derogatory term of native Americans played in three leagues, founded in 1933 the team folded in 1951 as an NBA franchise. Check this out in 2022 Sheboygan had a population of 49,773, in the 30’s and 40’s the population would have been considerably smaller. This team presently resides in Sacramento, there founding was in Rochester (NY) and in 1923 and at the time they were nicknamed the Seagrams. The team eventually moved to the NBL in 1945 and at the time of the merger in 1948 they became a member of the NBA.

Next up a brief profile of the team nicknamed the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. Imagine this, an NBA team representing three towns which were Moline and Rock Island Illinois and Davenport Iowa. Finally we close with the Anderson Packers, the city is located northwest of Indianapolis. The team founded in 1946 went out of business in 1951. Only a student of basketball history is aware of this information. Imagine this picture, little Johnny living in Moline Illinois follows the NBA passionately. He’s got no idea his city was once home to the NBA.

What I meant was….

This is for those of you who might still have questions why the Caitlan Clark-Pearl Moore explanation was published on Sunday. Once again it was not an attempt on my part to belittle the outstanding season of Caitlan Clark while at Iowa. The intent was to inform all reading the story Clark holds the NCAA record and not the all-time highest point total for women. In addition it was to shine a light toward Pearl Moore who by all accounts had largely been ignored during the magnificent scoring run of Clark.

The all-time record had been established much earlier and 99% of the basketball world (including me) unaware of the history. Similar to you I thought basketball records began and ended with the NCAA exclusively which is only partially correct. March 16 Moore observed her 67 birthday, in addition it also should be noteworthy she was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame in the 2021 class. If there is any finger pointing it should be aimed at the media, they are solely responsible for the wave of Clark frenzy that swept the nation. With all the information at hand no media member bothered to research this issue.

Arrogance by some 

Don’t slay the messenger Kansas fans, just check it out for yourself. In the past I’ve seen basketball players leave a school during the transfer portal or simply change their mind. In the majority of instances I read a few letters of disappointment but that’s as far as it went, there was no requirement on the writers part to attack someone for changing their mind. It appears many of those who follow Kansas basketball have a different mindset, allow me to cite a recent example. Kansas commit and 4-star prospect number 30 in the nation Labaron Philon requested a release from the school. To provide you a brief look at his background this 6-4 177-pound point guard attends Link Academy in Branson Missouri although he’s from Mobile Alabama.

Following my usual habit of reading a story, I read letters to assess others view of the subject. Most of the Kansas faithful were none too pleased with the decision Philon made. "Good, another high school kid who cannot make a decision or commitment. Would have not played much and transferred because he wouldn't be willing to put work in. I look forward to his 4 schools over next 4 years." How about this one; "Wants a degree without taking the course." It was almost unbelievable, the vast majority of the letter writers disparaging Philon for changing his mind. Why is it necessary to hate on this young man because he decided Kansas was not a good fit? Don't believe me, that's okay you can read many of these letters for yourself if you care. Prior to publication Philon made his decision known, he will return home and play for the University of  Alabama. 

3-Peat

In this part of the nation fans are discussing a 3-peat for the NFL Chiefs, there's even been talk of a football dynasty. I am extremely cautious anytime someone desires to hold these types of conversations. There are far too many variables possible which might prevent a team from winning it all. In Storrs we are hearing and reading similar comments regarding the UConn Huskies, if anyone can accomplish this feat Dan Hurley would be the man. I've long believed he's one of the best college basketball coaches there is but back to the question. 

It appears UConn might lose its starting 5 so what occurs then regarding a 3-peat? It might begin with adding Liam McNeeley a 5-star prospect in the Class of 2024. the 6-foot 7 185 pound wing played at Montverde Academy in Florida, that's proof he's played basketball at a high skill level. The roster is not gutted completely, there are returnees and in addition there's the transfer portal. Allow me to close with this thought, I feel comfortable stating Hurley will bet the most from his roster no matter who's there. Those who hate the coach should grow accustomed to hearing his name anytime we are discussing Big Time college basketball.  

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