A fans perspectives

Published Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Friday  

“The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated”

Mark Twain, the renowned 19th-century writer and humorist, authored the well-known headline in reference to a rumor about his demise—an incident that underscores the significant differences in communication during his era compared to today. Similarly, many analysts (me included) had written off the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this season; after all by December, their record stood at just six wins against twenty-one losses, this lead to a widespread belief that the Clipper prospects were bleak and most likely impossible.

However, much like the mythical Phoenix rising from the ashes, the Clippers initiated a remarkable turnaround beginning in January. Since January 21, they have achieved fourteen wins with only two losses. Coach Tyronn Lue has set an ambitious target for the remainder of the season: at least thirty-five wins and no more than twenty total losses. While challenging, this goal is attainable. A key factor in the team's resurgence has been the exceptional play of Kawhi Leonard throughout this streak. The NBA season is demanding, with extensive travel and consecutive games often impacting team performance. So I believe the Clippers have taught all of us a lesson, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Finger pointing

From where I sit (mostly in front of my television) I am willing to admit it’s unfair at times. Unfair for me to be the voice of reason at times because I can’t see everything. In this instance my subject is the center of the Los Angeles Lakers Deandre Ayton. I’m not sure of the date however the Lakers began the season on a high note, an unknown date in December a downward slide began. Sure, injuries impacted the team’s effort however so has the defense. Over the last 10 games the Lakers have only reached .500 with 5 wins and 5 losses. There has been a great deal of finger pointing for the poor play of the team recently. Most of the ire I believe was/is aimed at center Deandre Ayton. Ayton’s comment from late November “I need touches,” as a Big Man he needs to feel he is component of the offense.

With ball dominate Luka Doncic and LeBron James its difficult for Ayton to retain his place in the Laker effort. Reading the last sentence you might believe I am critical of the offensive effort of Doncic and LeBron, that’s not totally correct. In my opinion both need to dial their game back a bit and include Ayton more in the offense which will help his defense. I didn’t see the game but this is the result in the Laker win over the Raptors, Ayton went to work. He scored 25 points on 10 for 10 from the floor, 1000% from the floor which included 13 rebounds and a single blocked shot. Ayton’s scoring binge allowed him to tie Luka Doncic for team high in scoring. Do I know what I’m talking about, maybe as I began this exercise I indicated it’s my television plus what I read from credible sources that help me formulate my opinion. There are several unnamed media types which I exclude as informative.

Not me

The Buffalo Braves/San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers have never won an NBA championship. They are not alone, there are others unable to win it all however this franchise is lacking for a unique reason. I’ve read what many of you have written and spoke of over the years, you claim “there is a curse” on the franchise. I’ve never subscribed to that belief for a number of reasons, let’s check the history of other sports. From 1945 till 2016, for 71 years the baseball Chicago Cubs lacked a championship. The ‘Billy Goat’ curse was the basis for the lack of a championship. In 1945 a tavern owner would take his goat to Cubs games, the goat plus the owner disturbed the fans and both were kicked out of Wrigley Field.

At that point, the owner of the goat placed a curse on the Cubs claiming, “they would never win a championship.” Another from baseball involved the legendary Babe Ruth, for 86 years (1918-2004) the Boston Red Sox would never win a World Series after selling Ruth to the Yankees. As for the basketball team, unlike the others, my research failed to uncover one specific thing just a series of stuff. Injuries to key stars, Playoff chokes, drafting opportunities, an example SGA drafted by the Clippers and traded to the Thunder becoming NBA MVP. There is more detailed history but I hope you get the picture. In conclusion, if the Clippers franchise is indeed cursed, it stands apart from other sports teams discussed because multiple events have repeatedly stopped this team from reaching the top.   

The difficulty

In a manner of speaking it’s difficult for me to follow college basketball anymore. As much as I uphold the belief players should be able to earn income there is a drain in talent. The best of the best leaves for the NBA in June, in the fall they are replaced by another best of the best who will repeat the cycle. It is extremely difficult to latch onto a school’s program when the cast of characters is ever changing. I can’t blame the athletes the risk of continued play and the possibility of injury. I can think of two instances a former player for Colorado and one at Mizzou. Neither left school for the NBA when they could have, both later suffered injuries which severely impacted their dream of playing in the NBA. On the other hand few are willing (or maybe desire) to travel the ‘Sean Elliott’ route to the NBA.

Elliott long since retired was a budding NBA talent, he could have left Arizona for the NBA after his junior year however his mother had other plans. Mom wanted her son to earn that degree by graduating, the injury issue would also impact any decision to be undertaken. I don’t remember the dollar amount however she initiated a policy with Lloyds of London, this policy would pay Elliott X dollars in the event of an injury preventing him from play in the NBA. There is the age factor too, most of those at least in the early portion of the draft were in their teens while others had just turned 20 or 21. Knecht was an ‘old’ 23 years of age when the Lakers drafted him. We have no idea if Dalton Knecht will be a star in the NBA but this we know….the primary reason for his ‘slide’ in the draft his age. There is no answer for this dilemma just my simple explanation why college basketball might be suffering in the eyes of all with the exception except of the student body, I certainly have no solution for this predicament.