Basketball from a fans perspective

Meanwhile….  

The Sixers announced Paul George has been shut down for the season. The hope of last summer when he was a free agent signing have long since evaporated. With Joel Embiid missing most of the season and currently sidelined, this year has been exceedingly challenging for both the team and its fans. PG managed to play 41 games for the Sixers before the announcement his season has ended earlier than planned. Despite the disappointing play of the Sixers Tyrese Maxey has been one shining star.

Longtime readers know that I seldom discuss salaries, and this is intentional. Although I am passionate about NBA basketball and other sports, I believe that professions such as educators, law enforcement officers, and first responders deserve higher salaries than they receive. Having addressed this, let’s move forward. According my research, Flagg is earning $4.8 million in NIL money, which is minimal compared to a first-year NBA contract. Despite Flagg’s statement I have my reservations about him remaining at Duke for his sophomore year. 

What they said…

The outcome has been quite different from expectations. The term “mid-major” is used to describe schools not in a Power 5 conference. Once upon a time Houston was a member of the Southwest Conference which certainly was a Power 5, and after it ceased operations, they joined Conference USA and most recently the American Athletic Conference. And what has occurred to date is quite different. We hear the mid-major term used to describe schools not in a Power 5 conference. Houston at one point was a member of the defunct Southwest Conference however after it ceased operations they became associated with first the Conference USA and most recently the American Athletic Conference.

Some predicted that Cougar basketball would struggle moving into the Big XII Power 5 Conference after play in the AAC. However, under Kelvin Sampson’s leadership, they maintained a steady course. Last season, their first in the Big XII, they won the regular season conference title, and they repeated as the conference leader the following season. This achievement came despite the addition of Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado being added as conference member. These accomplishments were thanks to Kelvin Sampson’s coaching. Closing this critique there might be difference between a mid-major and a Power 5 Conference, the gap may not be as significant as believed. The seeding for March Madness was announced on Sunday, Houston is a number one seeded team.

You can’t do that 

I had a friend who made a statement that’s stuck with me for years. He once said to me, “You cannot give yourself a nickname…someone must bestow it on you.” Over the years I have followed that belief, I have never ever referred to LeBron James as The King. It’s my understanding he anointed himself with the nickname. What’s interesting is that sometimes the nickname can be a derivative of the person’s name, examples Carmelo Anthony or Melo or Walt Bellamy who became Bells. We could include Kentavious-Caldwell Pope who’s become KCP or Kevin Durant as KD. Anthony Edwards goes by either Ant-Man or Ant.

From the past we had Tyrone who became “Muggsy” Bogues or Chauncey Billups a.k.a. Mister Big Shot (sinking a basket at a crucial period of a game). We could include Larry Bird who would become Larry Legend, Steph Curry’s had several, most familiar to fans is Baby Faced Assassin or Splash Brother. There are probably more people familiar with Dr. J. over his given name Julius Erving. Paul George of the Sixers goes by PG-13, his initials plus his jersey number until signing with the Sixers. With 13 being retired he wears number 8 in honor of Philly native Kobe Bryant. One more name to consider, the Heat’s power forward is Edrice Femi but you know him better as Bam Adebayo, there are a host of others who could be included but I will stop for now.    

Bird feed

Although Larry Bird’s been retired since 1992 a new quote seems to always pop up from time to time, this is one. Some of you reading this might not be aware of this fact, it’s been noted previously Bird was one of the notorious “trash talkers” of that era. This one comes from a former Piston player of that time and provides us one more example of the prowess of Larry Legend. A side note, John Salley stood 6 foot 11 to Bird’s 6 foot 9.

Detroit Pistons' John Salley recalled what it's like having to go up against Larry Bird. "I get in and Chuck Daly has me starting one time and Larry [Bird] looks around and goes, 'Oh, what's up Sal?' I said, 'Nothing.' He goes, 'You on me?' I said, 'Yeah, I got size on you right now I've been watching every move.' He goes, 'Y'all not double-teaming?' I go, 'Nah, it's just me fella.'" "He goes, 'Mouse in the house,' and they change the play and he catches the ball and does this (jab step) and he shoots it and says, 'Sal, you better ask for a double team, bruh.'" 

Basketball Network