Basketball from a fan’s perspective

The Logo

Jerry West May 28, 1938-June 12, 2024, R.I.P. For a time he worked for the Grizzlies, after that it was the Warriors and finally the Clippers. Despite working in the front office for those three franchises the name Jerry West is intertwined forever with that of the Lakers. Despite the passage of time and front office moves by West it remained the Lakers. Allow me to provide some background, at the time the Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960 they had Elgin Baylor who was entering his 3rd year.   He’d established himself in the NBA a two years earlier as a member of the Minneapolis Lakers.

The ‘rookie’ season in Los Angeles was also the rookie season for a skinny sharpshooter named Jerry West. West was drafted after the 1959-60 season, although drafted by the team while in Minneapolis by the time the season began the team had moved to Southern California. In a manner of speaking one could say West “grew up” with the Lakers in their new home. His basketball prowess on and off the court would fill volumes, just a few legacy parts of the life of Jerry West that stand out for me. He was selected a member of the 35th, 50th and 75th NBA Anniversary teams. In addition he was enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame. Over the next few days you will read and hear a great deal about the man I believe is “Mr. Laker,” he almost by himself was responsible for Los Angeles becoming a Laker town. The Clippers in the same city since 1984 have never connected with the majority of the population because of the exploits and West and other Lakers over the years.

It was not all alone it helped with Elgin Baylor as a teammate but over the years as a player and executive the names of Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were added to the building of talent. As a player himself West won but one NBA championship (1972) but was indirectly responsible for so many more. He stood but 6 foot 2 however he was as tall as Wilt or Shaq in the eyes of many, after all he is THE LOGO. Several might not be aware of this, next time you see the NBA logo take into account that is the silhouette of Jerry West.

A few thoughts

Dan Hurley said no, that’s the end however I’d like to address some members of the media. Many approached the decision claiming the Lakers no longer have any clout. Another read they offered Hurley a low-ball number for the contract. There were other critical remarks but those two stand out for me. In both instances they leave Hurley out of the equation which I refuse to do. As for the money I pointed out Hurley is not the highest paid college basketball coach but soon will become just that. Money, always a factor in history making decisions probably didn’t affect the outcome as much as some in the media might believe.Legacy, that’s a word we read and hear periodically and Hurley has already established one.

Back-to-Back NCAA championship basketball teams, the opportunity for a 3-peat. I am king of the “polls are a beauty contest” yet I’m using them. One way too early Top 25 poll places UConn number 1 in the nation, Fox Sports places them 2nd while ESPN has the Huskies at 3. The interesting part these polls were all completed before last weekend when the Hurley news broke. There are other opinions expressed as an example one of KC’s local sports talk guys made the statement below. “There’s not much to do in Connecticut” implying Hurley had no legitimate reason to remain at UConn.

Oh but I happen to think differently, he does I surmised, a top-notch returning championship team, what’s not to like regarding a possible 3-peat? Do you realize the significance of winning three championships in a row? How about this, UCLA won the 1967, 1968, ’1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1973 NCAA championship. I believe the possibility of UConn winning another championship outweighed the riches offered by the Lakers, what do you think? Just in case let’s add this to the account, two NAIA and HBCU schools were 3-peat champions. The Tennessee State Tigers 1957, 1958 and 1959 and the Kentucky State Thoroughbreds 1970, 1971 and 1972.

They keep telling me what he can’t do 

I’ve always believed you play the game at your skill level. You don’t expect the athlete to do something they are incapable of, at the same time I’ve listened to individuals pick apart Luka Doncic’s game. “He’s a little pudgy” or “His defense is suspect” or this one…” Doncic is always begging game officials for a foul to be called on someone guarding him.” Funny thing, I hardly ever hear these individuals praise his game but that’s another story. Let’s delve into the negatives one at a time, the first one…” He’s pudgy.” That would appear to be an attack serving no purpose, example some in media noticed Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes without a shirt.

Mahomes “dad bod” has been noted by several in the media, no need of going any further on that one. This one…” His defense sucks,” I remember reading this years ago, Magic Johnson said he was not a good defender but tried to play good team defense. I believe that’s all a team can ask of teammate. As for the appeal to game officials, find me one player that’s not always begging officials for a call. I’m sorry to say this but LeBron James might be at the top of this list. In closing I can say this with conviction, Doncic’ is one of the lights out shooters in the NBA. Is he Steph level on his shooting, naw but he’s mighty close to the diminutive Warriors guard. As for the passing skill of Doncic’ I can say Steph is nowhere near him in that area. In closing why is it necessary to pick apart and athletes game? I prefer to accentuate the positive of their game rather than what a player can’t do.

It appears he will be drafted

I wrote of this earlier, Purdue’s Zach Edey returned to school last year. He was found lacking at the NBA Draft Combine so he returned and worked on those areas needing improvement. Back in December mock draft sites ignored the 7-foot 4 300-pound Edey. This is written a few weeks ahead of the draft but it appears the Canadian youngster will be drafted…but where? It depends on who you read, three mock draft sites place him either 13, 19 or 23.

The other site places Edey early in the second round, I stopped researching at four. So what occurred between his junior and senior year at school? I have no way to verify what you are about to read but believe it occurred. Edey did a self-assessment, listened to the scouts and coaches advice he did all this because he wants the NBA. It’s clear at a point in time the NBA apparently didn’t want him but all that appears to have changed. Don’t be shocked or even surprised to hear the commissioner or deputy commissioner announce his name in the 2024 NBA draft. I have written for months and believe this, the NBA has indeed changed but so has Zach Edey.

“Clipped”

I indicated a while ago I had no intention to view Clipped an FX/Hulu production. I thought I might cover a portion of the Donald Sterling that might not have been detailed for you. According to Peter Keating there would be no Laker legacy without of all people…Donald Sterling. The story goes Jerry Buss was prepared to purchase the Lakers but came up a reported $2.7 million cash short. Buss and Sterling were acquainted with one another although there is no indication they were pals, maybe the purchase of the Lakers was strictly conducting business that portion of the story is unclear.

In any event Sterling came to the rescue for Buss, he purchased 11 Santa Monica apartments from providing the future Laker owner the cash infusion he needed. Buss was able to purchase the Lakers but the story doesn’t end at this point. The Clippers then located in San Diego were on the market to be sold. Buss was reported to have contacted Sterling suggesting he purchase the team. On the surface we have two individuals who view business dealings in a different manner. It seemed from the beginning Buss wanted a winning team no matter the cost. As for Sterling based on how inept the Clippers were for years he apparently had little if any interest of producing a winning team until much later in his ownership.