Basketball from a fan’s perspective

You know my take already

I’ve expressed my view regarding JJ Redick as the next Lakers head coach, I am looking at this because Doc Rivers of all people decided to weigh in on a potential hire of Redick. Before I go there take this into consideration, Rivers was hired to lead the Bucks deep into the playoffs, the Bucks were 17-19 under his leadership before succumbing to the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs 4 games to 2. Apparently from a podcast it appears Rivers and Redick had a tempestuous relationship as coach and player. Rivers claims he “rescued” Redick from the Bucks at a time he alleges the players NBA career was only average.

There is no argument there was a vast improvement in Redick’s numbers after he began play for the Clippers. Rivers claims in free agency Redick left because the Clippers wouldn’t pay him his perceived worth. How about this observation, no argument the Clippers did see improved play by Redick. I have no idea if it was coaching or something else but his play did follow. As for Rivers I continue to question his value as a head coach, we need only look at the Bucks record after he took over. I imagine Rivers would be better served by trying to determine why this veteran team lost its way after he took over as head coach. There were injuries to consider however it’s my contention we must give consideration to Rivers being a culprit too.

There is no dependence of my report

A number of you have the opportunity to see the game firsthand, there is no requirement to wait for my view of the match. Despite that fact I do like to critique selected games, but on Tuesday I didn’t have that opportunity. I arrived home and wanted to finish a portion of the blog while waiting for the evening games. A heard a pop outside my home and checked my modem, sure enough the lights were not flashing where they should be.

The shorten version of the story my service was out for 9 hours and unknown minutes, I don’t know the actual time because I went to bed with no opportunity to see either game. I know a few of you are saying “Why didn’t you watch the game on your iPhone,” I could have but that is not my usual habit. I only use my phone for scores and highlight plays. You long sense have the news but it’s Knicks 121 Pacer 91 and the nightcap saw the Nuggets beat the Wolves 112-97. You had an opportunity to see two games I had no prospect to view, oh well hopefully this doesn’t occur again in the future.

You may have read this story

I wonder if Jayson Tatum’s mom negotiates his contracts or acts as his agent, it’s likely she has the credentials as an attorney. This story didn’t begin quite as smoothly as it exists now. Tatum a star player and leader of the Celtics franchise and his mother attorney at law. His mom was a college freshman and 19-years old at the time Tatum was born, he says his mom was determined to return to school despite the obstacles in front of her. On days, his grandmother was unable to babysit Tatum went to class with his mom. He laughs now and says he attended college prior to high school which is technically correct.

By the time Tatum reached the 6th grade his mom had received her bachelor’s and law degrees from St. Louis University. In any event he would grow his game on the basketball court driven to succeed with mom as the example of perseverance. At Chaminade High School he would grow his basketball game to this extent, by his senior year Tatum was named a McDonalds All American. After graduation he attended Duke for his freshman season, in 2017 he would become the 3rd pick in the NBA draft by the Celtics. It shouldn’t surprise anyone regarding Tatum seeing the will to succeed made by his mother all those years ago. I had a professor that would always utter the same phrase in his class. It was “We are striving toward excellence,” that certainly fits Jayson Tatum of the Celtics.

Is it confidence or something else

If you are well versed in the history of the college game you will remember this, Scott Drew took over the Baylor basketball program at its lowest point. 2002-03 his first season as a head coach saw him lead Valparaíso University to a 20-11 record and the NIT. That was enough for the administration of Baylor, the school was facing undoubtedly the most tragic period of the programs existence. Go back and read the history for more detail, Drew took over a program for practical purposes that no longer existed. The school was on self-reported sanctions, the 2003-04 Bears would win 8 games and 21 losses in Drew’s first year.

Due to the limited scholarships and other issues it would be 2006-07 before Baylor would register a double-digit win total (15-16). From that point up to the most recent season Drew’s teams have never experienced a losing season. In 2021 the Bears won it all with an NCAA Championship Trophy to present to the school. The most interesting part of this story is the coach, don’t you imagine back in those early days there must have been a number of sleepless nights? His teams have won 446 games while losing only 244 (.646), whether it was a talent thing or something else a number of Baylor players dot the rosters of NBA teams. As you can tell by the unfolding of this account Scott Drew is one of those college basketball coaches I think highly of in this day and age.