A Fan’s View of Basketball

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The best ever

This is a brief look at what most in the metro believe to be the most talented high school basketball player to ever from the area despite the passage of time. Metro Kansas City is not small in population (2.2 million) but certainly much smaller than a New York City, Los Angeles or Chicago. Based on that fact alone a smaller number of the population has managed to make its way to the professional ranks over time. One of those who was able to accomplished the task and tasted league success was Warren Armstrong who in 1968 was named ABA Rookie of the Year. Much later Armstrong would change his last name to Jabali which confused the media and much of the public. It was believed he’d done this in the same manner of Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar), that was not the case. It’s he adopted the Swahili name due to its definition, “One who has the qualities of a mountain; strong” is certainly represented of him both on and off the court. Armstrong graduated from Central High School Kansas City (MO) in 1964, in high school his athletic prowess led many to have witnessed his play refer to him even now, “The greatest high school basketball player ever produced from this area.”

Armstrong would graduate and go on to excel at Wichita State, all these years later his name remains in the school’s record book. In 1968 be drafted by the Knicks in the 4th round. It’s been mentioned that the NBA draft back then was much more extensive than the two rounds of today. It just so happened the Knicks had drafted a guy by the name of Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier the year prior. That was an issue but also the reported reputation of Armstrong. It was the 1960’s and he in a manner similar to Muhammed Ali was outspoken regarding race and issues in that time period. This next portion I offer no evidence just a belief by many at the time, Red Holtzman Knicks coach at the time didn’t want Armstrong on his team. His reputation while at Wichita State had preceded him with Holtzman and others. He would choose the ABA where he was named ABA Rookie of the Year in 1969. Could Armstrong Jabali have played at or near the same level in the NBA, that question is impossible to answer however many believe he could have. I am suggesting for additional detail seek these books, Jabali A Kansas City legend written by David Thomas. Also Thanks To You Memories of Warren Edward Armstrong Jabali written by Mary Alice Beasley his wife, both can be purchased through your usual suppliers.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLcVdlL2SF8

FIBA’s EuroBasket tourney

Luka Doncic was injured recently, what I’ve read the injury was not serious but it makes for a question. I am sure many of you believe this is written by a Laker fan but it is more than that. Also playing are Lauri Markkanen Jazz, Rockets center Alperen Sengun plus Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks forward and Nikola Jokic Nuggets center. Each one of those named and others are valuable to their NBA teams, I don’t wish to be a harbinger of doom but there is only so much basketball to be played. We have witnessed a rash of knee, ankle and Achilles injuries in recent years to key players.

I have no background in medicine nor any type of training, despite that fact I continue to believe the human body can only take so much wear and tear. The FIBA tourney is important if for nothing other than national pride. I’m thinking NBA contract and back to a time Jay Williams was playing guard for the Bulls and not working for ESPN. His contract prohibited him from riding motorcycles yet that’s what he did in the off season, that was the cause of a devastating injury. That ended his NBA career, the Bulls paid him although he’d violated a provision of his contract. I’m wondering if it’s time particularly for Euro players to be prohibited from participating in this tournament or anything similar. Am I an alarmist, I hope not however I tend to be on the cautious side.

The Legacy

If you’ve read this blog any length of time you are aware I have a preference for Big Man basketball. From my point of view that’s an element of NBA play I believe is lacking. With that said we’ve discussed Nate Thurmond in the past but for anyone unfamiliar with Thurmond I believe there is valued information that follows. I recently read Thurmond did not want to enroll at Ohio State figuring that Jerry Lucas had the inside track to play the center position, therefore he decided to play at Bowling Green University located in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Thurmond was drafted by the (San Francisco) Warriors in 1963 with the 3rd pick in the first round. What is even more interesting the Warriors drafted the 6-foot 11 Thurmond despite having Wilt Chamberlain. Looking back on the draft the guess was that the Warriors were receiving the best player available and that indeed turned out to be the case. With Chamberlain occupying the center position Thurmond’s play was limited, he would play out of position at the forward or the post for a few minutes a game whenever Chamberlain would sit. This arrangement lasted for two seasons until Chamberlain was traded to the Sixers, with the trade Thurmond would move into the center position where he excelled for the Warriors. He would play for them 9 seasons before a trade sent him to the Bulls, he finished his NBA career with the Cavs in 1977. Thurmond would battle opposing centers of the time, Walt Bellamy, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Chamberlain and others.

Abdul Jabbar claimed Thurmond played him tougher than any other center of the period. It should be noted the first game Thurmond played for the Bulls he filled up the box score. He scored 22 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and dished out 13 assists while on defense blocked 12 shots. Thurmond is enshrined in the College and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, this legendary Big Man passed away in 2016 at the age of 74. Nate Thurmond is a name from the NBA’s rich past you should be familiar with.

Memphis basketball

The basketball team is one of the more successful college programs in the nation. The Tigers finished the 2024-25 season with a 29-6 overall record, they won the American Athletic Conference (AAC) regular season title with a 16-2 conference record. The roster is solid and they should be in contention again for another title, so what’s the problem? The Tigers appear desperate to gain membership in a Power 5 conference, they made an effort once again. This time it was the Big XII conference which rejected their application. What are the issues preventing the Tigers from a move, for one Name, Image and Likeness…it appears the school is lacking the financial clout necessary to compete.

For unknown reasons despite the on court success of the program attendance is dropping, in fact this past season it was less than 7,000 per game. That alone is difficult to determine when we take into account they only lost 6 games all season. What that says to me you can attend a game at FedEx Forum and be somewhat assured the “home team” will win the game. The Athletic Department including the basketball team has been placed on a two-year probation by the NCAA so that could seriously impact a potential move. The last area of impact is reported to be academics, so there you have the Memphis Tigers. A highly successful basketball program under coach Penny Hardaway but it appears there is no other conference interested in them becoming a member, stay tuned this story is not complete yet.