Basketball from a fans perspective

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He’s got a job

In the Olympic Gold Medal game against France Team USA found itself in a tough match. It wasn’t only Victor Wembanyama’s play he received help from Guershon Yabusele. Yabusele averaged 14 points a game while helping France earn the Silver Medal. Almost immediately after the game it was reported Yabusele indicated he wanted to return to the NBA. He briefly spent time in the NBA playing for the Celtics but returned to France. 

On Sunday ESPN’s Woj announced the Sixers signed Yabusele to a one-year contract. This is not his first NBA appearance he played a total of 74 games in two seasons as a member of the Celtics, it’s difficult to determine his NBA skill level since he received so little playing time. In any event he’ll be hustling from day one probably determined to remain in the league for a much longer period of time on this second go round.

Kansas City Blues

The headline might give you the impression the story centers on music. That is not the case, in a basketball blog 99% of it consists of basketball and that is the case here. Research led me to another league no longer in existence, the Professional Basketball League of America came into being at the same time as the Basketball Association of America (1947). Also existing at the time was the National Basketball League and the American Basketball League.

As most of you are aware the BAA and NBL merged in 1949 to become today’s NBA. The American Basketball League began play in 1925 and lasted until 1955. The history fails to provide a clear picture, it denotes the league suspended operations for the 1953-54 season and disbanded after 1954-55. As for our early focus the Kansas City Blues were one of 16 teams in the Professional Basketball League of America. I would be willing to bet money even old folks in Kansas City are likely unfamiliar with this team that existed for such a brief period long ago.

Northern Division                                                              Southern Division

Chicago Gears                                                                   Houston Mavericks

St. Paul Saints                                                                   Atlanta Crackers

Grand Rapids Rangers                                                        Birmingham Skyhawks

Louisville Colonels                                                             Tulsa Ranchers

Omaha Tomahawks                                                            Chattanooga Majors

Kansas City Blues                                                               Oklahoma City Drillers

Waterloo Pro-Hawks                                                           New Orleans Hurricanes

St. Joseph Outlaws                                                            Springfield Squires

The history indicates that with competition from three other leagues the PBLA opened and closed its doors without completing its initial season.       

Intriguing early season games

In August we have no idea if there is a 3-peat in store for college basketball, will UConn do it again? Of course that cannot be determined until April 2025. On the other hand a check of several early season games indicate a number of interesting and highly competitive one’s stand out. Let’s check out just a few of them:

Kansas-Duke is always of interest to college basketball fans. This match featuring Duke wunderkind Cooper Flagg will be played at neutral site Las Vegas on Tuesday, November 26. These two student bodies hate (strong word) one another although Coach K. is no longer on the scene.

Alabama at North Carolina-The Crimson Tide are now a basketball power (maybe they have been for a time). We know the story of Carolina Blue, both teams are highly competitive on the basketball court. This game is scheduled for Wednesday December 4.

UConn-Gonzaga is also an interesting contest, this one matches two highly competitive programs against one another. This game is scheduled for neutral site Madison Square Garden, I’m sure fans of the Bulldogs are laughing at the thought since MSG is so near Connecticut. In any event this game is scheduled for Saturday December 14

Alabama-Houston is another neutral site game scheduled for Tuesday, November 26 in Las Vegas. There is no one around to argue Alabama coach Nate Oats is playing non- viable teams during the non-conference portion of the team’s schedule. Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars are coming off an outstanding season their first in the highly competitive Big XII Conference.

Bits and Pieces of Info

Soon after the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship they went on the market. Ownership announced the team would be sold, I failed to mention it then I am now because of the name. Most of you are aware Jeff Bezos is one of the richest individuals in the nation maybe the world. In any event came word Bezos was interested in purchasing the Celtics, not that unusual until you are made aware of the balance of the story. The new NBA television contract beginning after the 2024-25 season contains broadcast partner Amazon. You are aware Bezos owns Amazon, this would appear to be a conflict…one I question how the NBA intends to circumvent this issue should he become the purchaser. Stay informed.

Did you catch the news, there is a “new” Zion Williamson on the scene. Remember the talk that’s followed him since day one in the NBA…he weighs too much for his height? Williamson indicates he’s now down to 281 pounds and plans on 272 by the time the season begins. I hope he succeeds in this effort to slim down. This weight issue is certainly beyond my knowledge however numerous persons have voiced their opinion on Williamson. One of those names voicing an opinion was Charles Barkley, when he arrived in the NBA he was dubbed “The Round Mound of Rebound.” The official stats claimed Barkley stood 6 foot 6 and 252 pounds, truth is he was 6 foot 5 and ½ inches.

A bit of trivia regarding The Ohio State basketball team, the 1960 team was crowned NCAA Champion. I’m sure UCLA, Kentucky can make similar claims, did you know that team would produce three Hall of Fame players and a coach? The first name is the late Bobby Knight, most know of him as the longtime coach at the University of Indiana and later Texas Tech. He was a reserve on that team however it was his role as coach that led him to be enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame. The on court leader of that team was Jerry Lucas, the 6 foot 8 Lucas was a power forward and center during his long and illustrious NBA career. He too was enshrined by Naismith and the College Hall of Fame. The last name is the late John Havlicek who spent his entire career as a member of the Boston Celtics. Havlicek is also a member of the Naismith and College Hall of Fame.