Basketball from a fan’s perspective

He fails to understand…maybe

I don't dislike Charles Barkley, that might appear to be the case sometimes. I am often critical of some things he says because it often appears there is not much thought in a position he might take. This is just the latest example that points out he doesn't get it. You may have read his complaint on the subject of ESPN "Taking away from Game one to do an hour report on Dan Hurley and the Lakers." Barkley's been on the broadcast side for 20+ years and fails to understand the news cycle and what drives it. There are news stories that take priority over other stuff, even the start of the NBA Finals.  

It would be the same if this story involved the Celtics or Knicks, we are discussing at this point celebrated NBA franchises. If this were the Cavs, Clippers or a dozen other teams the story would fail to generate this type of interest. This like anything else is an opinion, Barkley is certainly entitled to his but instead of “what comes up comes out (his mouth), why not discuss an issue of this magnitude before making it public, is this censoring yourself? I guess that might be true to a degree however what might have occurred if he checked with someone or maybe thought his statement out first. I take issue with Barkley’s opinion, in this instance we could debate who’s view is likely correct…Barkley or mine?

‘My’ draft

We are fast approaching the NBA draft, this year and into the future it will be conducted differently. The NBA draft will be a 2-night event, Wednesday June 26 and Thursday the 27. Which probable talent is going where is always vital information for me to have. The NFL draft, has been improved in recent years but is too long. I guess with a roster of 40 and more athletes it takes a while, in any event I pay attention to the first two picks of the Chiefs that’s it. Baseball is a far different manner, I have no idea who any of these guys are. The scouts are familiar with their play so I leave it there.

Back to the NBA draft, usually the lottery picks closely follow most of the major mock draft sites, beyond that it’s a roll of the dice. Because I live and breathe this draft stuff its usually the mid to the late second round before I must admit I am somewhat lost regarding the names of some prospects. You might remember reading I dubbed this the French NBA draft with several prospects likely to be drafted. This is the night we might see a Sonics team draft Scottie Pippen and then trade his draft rights for Olden Polynice, look it up. This could also occur the Hawks drafting Luka Doncic but trading his rights to the Mavs for Trae Young.

Sad news

The basketball world lost two names this past weekend, Chet Walker and Josh Maravich. Walker was drafted by the Syracuse Nats in 1962 and moved with the franchise to Philadelphia when they became the Sixers. In 1969 Walker moved on to the Bulls and was one of the initiators of the first successful Bulls teams prior to the MJ teams later. Walker was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2012, Walker turn 84-years old in February. The other death was in the Maravich family. Some might not be aware basketball legend Pete Maravich had two sons Josh and Jaseon, both sons took up the sport of their famous dad and played the game at the collegiate level. Over the weekend we learned Josh died, he was only 40-years old the same age as his father. 

No NBA for you

The NBA is never returning to Kansas City be it an expansion team or relocation of an existing one. My changed view is based on economics. This is not 1985, that was the year the Kings departed for California. Since then a considerable amount of population, however, there is an economic factor which is quite significant. I will provide you an example of the why, selling on eBay is a ticket stub from a Spurs-Kings game. This is a January 1985 game played at Kemper Arena and the price on the ticket reads $10.50, the seat location is lower-level section 104, row J seat 6. Although the arena still exists it’s been reconfigured and the area of that ticket no longer exists.

In addition Kemper’s been replaced by T-Mobile, with no basketball being played I had to look elsewhere for what might be equivalent for this comparison that became OKC. KC metro is slightly larger in population but my guess Paycom Center is equal to Kemper. According to my research the average Thunder ticket is somewhere between $50-$70 so I believe that would be close to a Kansas City price today. At the time the Kings departed for California the baseball Royals, NFL Chiefs and KC Comets indoor soccer existed. The Comets have been replaced by Sporting Kansas City playing outdoors, we have a women’s outdoor soccer team, the KC Current in existence. In addition there is also minor league hockey plus minor league baseball to add to this equation. If Patrick Mahomes and a partner decide they want an NBA team then all bets are off, it could occur Kansas City would return to the NBA again.