Basketball from a fans perspective 

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Is it over? 

You remember the jokes made about Anthony Davis’s durability? Truth is up until the 2023-24 season he’d been missing in action for a considerable number of Laker games over two seasons. I never thought it was funny just as I never thought Kawhi Leonard missing games or “load managed” was funny either. This past summer you remember the event don’t you, Leonard was on the roster for Team USA then he wasn’t. I never understood the why, the only thing I can say is become confused by Lawrence Frank president of the Clippers. Frank expressed confusion as to why Leonard was sent home and the question is, did Frank had knowledge he wasn’t sharing with the media and public. And now this news, the Clippers announced when training camp begins tomorrow Leonard will be held out of scrimmage activities.

The announcement stated there was a concern about his surgically repaired knee. Now I’m reading in barstoolsports.com an account claiming Leonard might have undergone another procedure later this past summer. Throughout his NBA career he’s always been reluctant to talk to the media which is certainly his prerogative. The actions of Leonard continue to be quite stealthy, if this second surgery is confirmed I’m unsure what to say about this development. Some reading this might remember media person Bomani Jones from his ESPN days. The subject of Leonard came up while he was a guest on The Rich Eisen Show. Jones was as blunt as can be he said, “I think he’s done and it’s a shame, finals MVP for two different franchises.” Leonard the outstanding defender and scoring threat who just cannot seem to remain healthy for an extended period of time.

Georgetown basketball

Prior to the arrival of the late John Thompson in 1972 the Washington D.C. university was only known for its excellent educational curriculum. During Thompson’s tenure, the school was placed on the basketball map of the nation, thus began a string of NCAA tournament appearances practically every season culminating with the 1984 NCAA Championship. In the 1998-99 season Thompson decided to retire and his assistant coach took over the program. Craig Esherick would coach the Hoyas for the next five years before turning over the team to Thompsons son John Thompson III. Over the next few years Georgetown basketball experienced up and downplay until he was fired by the school.

Prior to the 2017-18 season the school hired former Georgetown alumnus Patrick Ewing, it was hoped he would return the basketball program to its glory days. Despite his name and reputation the teams won-loss record failed to improve under the former Georgetown star player. The truth of the matter the record was even worse than play under Thompson III. In March 2023 Ewing was fired and replaced by Ed Cooley longtime Providence coach. The first season under Cooley was certainly underwhelming (9-23) but more is expected in his second year at the helm. Will this hire of Cooley be the right move for the Georgetown program, only time will tell however I have serious doubts if the team is allowed to flounder for an extended period.

Another possibility

The Lakers may have solved their post play and the name might surprise some of you. His name is not Anthony Davis, he will be the starter again this upcoming season, it’s the relief I speak of. It’s not Christian Koloko who signed a two way contract but the other guy with a two way contract. If you follow the Lakers as much as most of us his name is Colin Castleton and he’s been around for an extended period. Castleton’s played in Summer League and for the South Bay Lakers for an extensive time now.

Castleton stands 6 foot 10 and 250 pounds and this is the good part for him, there is no requirement for him to play like AD just offer relief. Christian Wood is missing until December due to surgery and Jaxson Hayes has not played up to the level expected. This leaves an opening for Castleton to earn a regular season contract. In other Laker news training camp is yet to open but JJ Redick’s already announced his starting lineup. D’Lo will be starter at the point, Austin Reaves at the shooting guard, LeBron James small forward plus Rui Hachimura at power forward, that leaves Anthony Davis as the center.   

A colossal miscarriage of justice

It’s been said, “There is nothing written that life should be fair.” I certainly can agree with the statement however sometimes on occasion your life can be drastically effected. That’s the case for the late Roger Brown, Connie Hawkins and Doug Moe. These three and several others had promising careers waiting for them in the NBA that bypassed them by an event that wouldn’t occur today. It was 1961 a different time, the three named were acquainted with sports gambler Jack Molinas. College basketball was rocked with a point shaving scandal and these three and others were named. There was no trial, none of the three was ever arrested.

Despite this fact they were banned from playing in the NBA regardless of the fact Hawkins was the only one who actually received any money. He’s borrowed $200 from Molinas which was repaid prior to news of the point scandal coming to the public’s attention. All three were eventually cleared however it was too little too late. Moe met with the gamblers but turned down any attempt to draft him for the scheme. The history indicates Brown was never accused of point shaving he was only acquainted with Molinas. Years later Hawkins would sue the NBA and when the court ruled in his favor he became a 27-year old rookie. Brown never played in the NBA, Moe served as coach of the NBA Nuggets. Hawkins was eventually enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. It’s my belief such a travesty of this magnitude would never occur today.

The City of Ben Franklin & Dr. J.

Philadelphia Pennsylvania has a rich history going back to its colonial days, the days of Benjamin Franklin inventor, politician and Founding Father of the Nation. In between Ben Franklin and Dr. J. there have been others who lived, worked in the City of Brotherly Love. As for Dr. J. he thrilled residents of the city and others throughout the nation with his play on the basketball court, Franklin in a different area. What about the current mayor, what’s her influence on the city in one area? You might remember I indicated last week Mayor Cherelle Parker announced an agreement with the Sixers for their planned arena.

The only difficulty as this is written it appears the mayor and the Sixers are the only parties pleased at this juncture. Chinatown will not be demolished in order to build the arena however it’s proximity to the arena has the coalition displeased with this “agreement.” In the meantime we discover another grassroots community organization has announced they intend to fight the proposed arena as well. The portion most interesting to me the mayor and Sixers indicate there is no public funding involved in the project. Despite this fact there is a court fight brewing between the mayor’s office and at least two community groups. This is not good news for Philadelphia, If this project cannot soon be finalized will Camden NJ remain in the picture.

The Nuggets

You remember the story, Superman could only be defeated by Kryptonite? Well I’m not comparing the play of the Lakers to Superman however they have beaten the Lakers two years in a row in the playoffs. That’s the story for my Lakers however that might not be the story for the balance of Western Conference teams. In 2023 the Nuggets did a beat down on the league winning the NBA championship. Nikola “The Joker” Jokic’s skillful passing and shooting, Michael Porter Jr. along with Jamal Murray and company…you know the story. They finished the regular season with 53 wins in addition to that championship.

The Nuggets were expected to compete for a second championship, they managed to accomplish only a portion of the task. They earned a playoff berth however the Wolves knocked them out of their repeat championship effort. What occurs for the upcoming season fans of the franchise are questioning. Center/Forward DaRon Holmes II was drafted from Dayton University however he might not see a great deal of court time with the veteran Nuggets roster. The only other addition is guard Russell Westbrook, he is expected to take on a reserve role. There is no argument on my part barring major injuries the Nuggets will earn a playoff berth again. As for championship aspirations I must wait to determine whether they are prepared for a deep run. The Nuggets must believe, the ESPN headline reads: “Nuggets believe they’re still in their championship window.”