The view of a fan

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Not even close

I heard a member of the media denoting it as a black eye for the NBA. He was referring to the NBA’s investigation of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers and of course the defunct company Aspiration. NFL, MLB and any professional league has no desire for a story to shine negative light on it. I thought about his comment for a moment and thought, this is not close to the worst incident in the NBA’s history. How about the incident the press dubbed “The Malice at the Palace” which occurred March 19, 2004? The brawl involved Piston and Pacer players along with several fans who were involved in a fight which started on the court and into the stands. Not only the brawl itself but the lingering effects, this from AI.

“Nine players were suspended for a total of 146 games, with Ron Artest receiving the longest suspension in NBA history for an on-court incident (73 games). Players lost over $11 million in salaries due to the suspensions. Five players faced assault charges and were sentenced to probation and community service. Five fans also faced criminal charges and were banned from Pistons home games for life. The incident led to the implementation of a league-wide dress code (since revised) and had a lasting negative effect on the NBA’s reputation.” As you are aware the NBA investigation regarding Kawhi Leonard the Clippers and Aspiration is yet to be completed. This investigation when complete could turn out to be devastating too but certainly nothing on the scale of “The Malice at the Palace” the now demolished home of the Detroit Pistons. Two teams involved plus nine players suspended, I could go on but I hope you see where I’m going.

Meanwhile…

A few weeks ago, this blog discussed the possibility of NBA Europe. At that time, limited information was available; however a recent report from the Associated Press on September 18 has provided more details.  NBA Europe was discussed in this blog. Although not a great many details were available at the time of publication you can now be updated. The Associated Press September 18 contained a bit more information which is being shared. Commissioner Silver noted that NBA Europe could potentially launch in 2027 or 2028, this is certainly earlier than expected. One challenge identified is arena space, with the possibility of utilizing existing arenas across Europe initially until more modern infrastructure is developed. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available. 

The Class of 2026 prospect Jason Crowe Jr. is listed as a combo guard by 247Sports while ESPN list him as a point guard. His size (6-3, 170 pounds) could be compared to Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, hold on a moment before you go rushing off informing folks I’m claiming he’s the second coming of SGA. I didn’t bother checking other sites however they give us the impression he can score the ball just as easily as distributing it. This smooth left-hander has committed to Mizzou in the Class of 2026. We must return to 2017, Michael Porter Jr. (now with the Nets) was the number one prospect in the nation that year. At the time Jason Crowe Jr. steps on campus next summer/fall he will become the second highest rated prospect in the school’s basketball history since Porter Jr.

The former CEO of Aspiration claims there was no special deal in place for the Clippers Kawhi Leonard. The player was required to perform services for the company in order to be paid, if this is true the subject of circumventing the salary cap becomes null and void. This investigation is yet to be completed and that information could turn out to be correct. There remains a questionable instance regarding a payment made to Leonard and this appears to be documented. Dennis Wong a limited Clippers partner invested $1.99 million in Aspiration 9 days before an over payment of $1.75 million was made to Leonard…was this simply a coincidence? Unless there is a so called smoking gun owner Steve Ballmer, Leonard and the Clippers walk away without suffering any penalty.

I don’t believe anyone would disagree, the 2024-25 college basketball season would see SEC Men the best basketball conference top to bottom. The University of Florida certainly speaks well of that fact but there are others who played top notch basketball. Auburn, Alabama and Tennessee. The 16-team conference strength of schedule aside 10 teams won 20+ games and 3 eclipsed the 30 win mark. Coming behind the SEC was the Big XII conference, Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars battled the Florida Gators for the national championship. Then it was the Big 10 and Big East Conference, I’m sure members of the ACC might argue in favor of their conference being included especially with the manner Duke and Cooper Flagg played.             

The Portland Trail Blazers have announced a change in ownership, of course this is pending approval by the NBA Board of Governors---a process that is likely to be just a formality. Tom Dundon, a veteran owner who acquired a majority stake in the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, is set to become the new proprietor of the Blazers. Dundon joins the ranks of billionaire NBA owners; he serves as chairman and managing partner of Dundon Capital Partners and is also the chairman of pickleball.com. The team was sold by the estate of Paul Allen for a reported $4 billion.

“From Heroes to Villains”  

The headline is taken from WBUR-FM, the PBS radio station in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1950 college basketball experienced a once in a lifetime event, City College of New York did it. For the first (and last time) a school won the NCAA Tournament and the National Invitation Tournament in the same season. That might not appear impressive but allow a further explanation, back then the NIT Tournament was held in the same esteem of the NCAA Tournament. The growth of the NCAA with the addition of an increased number of teams has left the NIT today a watered down version of what existed in 1950. There were 12 teams in the NIT Tournament in 1950, CCNY won it all beating Bradley University 69-61 on March 18. This was no attempt by CCNY on its own to win a championship…the school was invited to the tournament. The NCAA Tournament consisted of 8 teams and would began play on March 23, the championship game was played March 28. For the second time within a few days CCNY faced an opponent again to determine who was the best team.

The adversary for CCNY was Bradley, they would be victorious over Bradley once again, 71-68. Ponder this for a minute, the school was able to win two championships in a short space of time, there is a question, why is this accomplishment barely mentioned? The reason so little is stated about this championship is likely due to a dishonor that erupted in 1951, a point shaving scandal was uncovered. The shorten version of the story from Wikipedia, “On October 27, 1951, Frank Hogan officially closed the investigation into the point-shaving scandal. In total thirty-five players from seven colleges admitted to taking bribes between 1947 and 1950 to fix eighty-six games in seventeen states, with varying results and punishments being given out to each player at hand. All thirty-five players involved were permanently banned from the NBA, with some players also banned from other professional sports leagues as well.” Of the schools named in the formal accusation CCNY was one of them. Adjustments were made by the administration, CCNY began by dropping its basketball program from Division I to Division III which they compete at the present time.