Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Tuesday, Thursday plus Saturday & Sunday 

Three seconds

Shock the NBA world, that’s what the Pacers accomplished on Thursday evening. They led in the game against the Thunder all of three seconds however that was all that was required, final score 111-110. The Pacers were downright terrible for much of the game, that’s the easiest description for me, 24 TO’s versus 7 for the Thunder. Most of the game those in attendance and a world-wide television audience believed the Thunder had the game in the bag. The Thunder had a 12-point half time lead, the truth of the matter they held a 15-point lead in the 4th quarter, I will repeat that….4th quarter.  

Most interesting, despite MVP SGA having an outstanding game the balance of the Thunder players didn’t fare as well. As a team they shot an unspectacular 39.8% for the game compared to the sharpshooting Pacers who finished at 47.6%. Obi Topping came off the Pacer bench and had trouble “walking and chewing gum at the same time.” He committed a series of key TO’s at crucial points in the game. That was the early Topping, the late Topping was en Fuego scoring 17 points and shooting 5 for 8 from the three line. This series is far from over, Game One went to the Pacers who could have lost just as easily. Expect the Thunder to come roaring back tomorrow evening and certainly not lose a game at the end…maybe.

The commissioner speaks

Prior to the NBA Championship commencing Adam Silver held a press conference detailing at least two events on the mind of several fans. A. league expansion and B. the draft lottery, they will be dealt with a separate items. It appears Silver’s interest along with partners is expanding the Euro market. I have mentioned on one occasion how would NBA Europe operate the early indication is “some” Euroleague teams would become a part of this new league although none of this is set in stone as it is written.

Because this matter is still in the talking stage we must wait for additional developments. In any event Silver indicates this will be a topic of discussion for the July Board of Governors meeting. The draft lottery continues to generate conspiracy stories surrounding it. Draymond Green was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel’s late night program and the host mentioned the lottery. Green smiled and said, “I’m a friend of Adam Silver” and didn’t go into detail, even LeBron has questioned it. No matter how the lottery is revised and re-worked we still continue to hear conspiracy stories…why? Maybe the answer might be to do away with the lottery all together. Maybe the league should return to pre 1985 when there was no lottery. My belief is a Western Conference and Eastern Conference team would flip a coin to determine who receive the top pick. Even that method has flaws based on trades and we can use how the Lakers were able to draft James Worthy as the example.

“In 1979 the Cavs traded their first round pick to the Lakers for Don Ford (absolutely baffling move, the guy averaged just under 7 a game for LA that year) and ended up with the worst record during the 1982 season. Since this was pre-lottery this meant the order at the top of the draft would be decided by a coin toss between the Lakers (via the Cavs pick) and Clippers (worst record in the Western Conference). The defending champ Lakers won the toss, giving them the perfect opportunity to build around Kareem and Magic while the Clippers lost, using their second pick to get Terry Cummings (quality player, but they whiffed on Dominique (Wilkins) who went third…).”

r/nba

Meanwhile….

Some might remember I told the story of encountering Ethan Taylor’s father a few weeks ago. For some reading this for the first time Taylor is a 4-star basketball prospect in the Class of 2026. This meeting with the father was no difficulty it turns out we met at the barber shop, turns out the father gets his hair cut at the same shop I do, in any event allow me to update you on Taylor. He will enter his senior year in the fall of the year at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School Shawnee Kansas, Shawnee is a city located in the Kansas City MO Metro. This is an update on the 7-foot-1 245 pound Taylor, this from 4 scouting sites. Rivals.com places him number 28 on their rating list while On3 places him at 34. Both 247Sports and ESPN100 position him at 72 and 76, respectively.

The television camera frequently spots celebrity fans at Knicks games. Of those attending Knicks games Spike Lee is probably the most well-know, but others include Timothee Chalamet. Chalamet, a long-time Knicks fan, attends games whenever his busy schedule allows. He is known for his roles in “A Complete Unknown.” “Dune” parts 1 and 2 along with “Wonka.” always locates celebrity fans in attendance at Knick games. Despite Spike Lee’s prominence as the top celebrity fan, Chalamet appears unconcerned about rankings; he’s simply there to cheer for his favorite team.

As most are aware a portion of the NBA television package moves to Prime Video in October, with that statement they announced several of their new hires and the positions. The studio program will consist of former NBA players Dirk Nowitzki and Blake Griffin, Taylor Rooks will execute the “Ernie Johnson” role. Also newly hired as analysts, Candace Parker, Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash and Udonis Haslem. As this is written no play by play announcers have been mentioned. It’s my hope somehow Kevin Harlin becomes a part of the broadcast crew. Acquaintances of mine have expressed concerns about the NBA latching onto a streaming service, what can I say except that is the wave of the future in broadcasting. As soon as an announcement is made regarding play by play announcers I will update you.  

Throughout the history of the NBA several coaches have won at least one championship. Some like Steve Kerr are still active and could secure additional titles before retiring, Gregg Popovich recently called it a day so it’s highly unlikely his win total will increase. Among the all-time winners, Steve Kerr has won 4 championships with the Warriors. Next, Gregg Popovich, Pat Riley, and John Kundla have each won 5 championships; Kundla won a BAA championship with the Minneapolis Lakers and then 4 more once the team moved into the NBA. Red Auerbach won 9 championships with the Celtics. Phil Jackson is the NBA’s all-time leader, having won 6 championships with the Bulls and 5 with the Lakers for his total of 11.