Basketball from a fans perspective

The second wave (or third)

Commissioner Silver mentioned the NBA possibly expanding to Montreal Canada late last year. Also mentioned but not in the same conversation was the NBA perhaps returning to Vancouver one day. If that expansion should occur that would create a Canadian NBA rivalry…Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto. All of us are aware Seattle and Las Vegas are in first place in the NBA regarding expansion. Because I’ve mentioned three teams we might question this account just how many NBA teams is too many?

Let’s check out some of the other professional sports leagues. If we look at baseball there are 30 MLB teams, it’s appears relocation rather than expansion is the precedence. The A’s have a planned move from Oakland that will locate them in Las Vegas eventually. As for the NFL at present there are 32 teams, the same for this professional sport no expansion plans that I’ve read. In hockey there are also 32 teams in the NHL and the same story there no expansion plans. If Mexico City is tossed in for expansion and the Canadian cities that would make for 34 teams, is that too many teams? In my view that’s not too many, as you see that’s only two more teams over the current NFL and NHL.

He is an unusual guy

I read an article and thought a brief revisit was necessary with Mark Cuban. I must admit at one time I thought he was a knucklehead, he was always making noise about his Mavs with David Stern. I have no idea the number of times Cuban was fined by the commissioner, most of the Cuban complaints revolved around officiating. As he’s aged Cuban has mellowed, he’s not as volatile as he once was but the mind is just as sharp as ever. If we look at the basketball only I will offer proof, he’s no longer the majority owner of the team. Cuban sold his 73% share of the Mavs to Miriam Adelson for $3.5 billion late in 2023.

Cuban purchased the Mavs in 2000 for $285 million, I’m unsure of the appreciation but I’d say he made quite a profit. Despite the sale of the team Cuban retains ownership of 27% of the team. This is the interesting part, he remains the acknowledged leader of the Mavs for a couple of reasons. Cuban remains the Mavs Governor so in essence he can vote up or down on any decision the NBA might choose. In addition in his “new” role Cuban can decide who comes or who goes on the Mavs roster. One more bit of information there is talk of an arena to replace American Airlines Arena, the building opened in 2001. With Cuban still in the operations mode I tend to believe a new arena will open at some future date for the Mavs.

Free throw makers

This is going to be a different take, often in the past the focus of this might be the guys who shoot bricks at the free throw line you know who they are, i.e., Wilt, Shaq and a host of others. The only issue for me making light of their poor shooting such as Shaq who once said “I make ‘em when they are needed” or something similar. That statement is far from fact, over the course of his NBA career 62% (2002-03) was the best he ever accomplished. How about Mr. Automatic, these players are fouled and rarely miss from the line. Opposing teams certainly don’t wish to foul these guys, keep in mind the NBA players listed below have played major minutes in order to qualify for this list:

  

  1.Klay Thompson Warriors 92.7%

  2.Dame Lillard Bucks 92.4%

  3.Steph Curry Warriors 92.4%

  4.Bogdan Bogdanovic Hawks 92.2%

  5.Anfernee Simons Blazers 91.6%

  6.Derrick White Celtics 90.2% 

  7.Paul George Clippers 90.2%

  8.Lauri Markkanen Jazz 89.9%

  9.Kawhi Irving Mavs 89.8%

10.Devin Booker Suns 89.2%

Rick Barry enshrined in the College and Naismith Hall of Fame would complain loudly regarding players unable to shoot free throws. Many (including Shaq) refused to use the underhand method Barry perfected while playing (1965-1980). During Barry’s career, which includes a stint in the ABA, he shot 89% from the line. Former players Steve Nash (.9043) and Mark Price (.9039) shot even higher during their play in the NBA over Barry.

There is an explanation for an athletes inability to shoot from the free throw line effectively, it’s like anything else…practice…practice and more practice. I remember reading this years ago, one of the all-time great high school basketball coaches in KC said this. “Whenever we are not running drills and I allow my team free time this is what occurs. Instead of practice shooting free throws they are at the 3-point line taking shots.” It’s my belief an athlete can become so focused at the line they believe they cannot miss. Believe me, I’ve heard all the excuses for poor free throw shooting and none are viable; “My hands are too big” or “I’m too nervous if the game is on the line.”

Laker pick

There were bunches of draft choices and players exchanging addresses with the arrival of Anthony Davis to the Lakers, it’s now 2024 and the Lakers still owe the Pelicans draft choices. 2025 was understood to be the last year the Lakers would give up a draft choice however there is a change. 2024 would be an option year for the Pelicans, they chose to take it. The Pelicans will defer the 17th draft choice until next season. The Lakers will be able to make the pick in 2024, this could be good or bad thing. The draft guru’s claim unlike last season 2024 will be a weak draft, that is the bad.

As for the good drafting just outside the lottery they could strike it rich with the correct pick. It could be Carlton Carrington a 6-5-point guard from Pitt or Isaiah Collier 6-3 point from SC, it could be Yves Missi 7-foot center from Baylor. Just who does that pick become, well I will inform you I hope it’s not Bronny James. Two websites had the Lakers choosing Bronny in the second round which caused me to scream loudly NOOOOOOOOO! With a first-round pick and number 17 I would be okay drafting Bronny in the second round. From pick 17 through 30 there are plenty of “names” to choose from. I cannot provide a name other than Bronny James, hopefully rational minds are at work and if the Lakers take him it’s in the second round.