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It was a Magic Time

Earvin "Magic" Johnson introduced a level of skill at the point guard position previously unseen in the NBA. Prior to his arrival with the Lakers in the 1979–80 season, point guards were primarily responsible for distributing the basketball; however, Johnson brought remarkable creativity and elegance to the role. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches and weighing 215 pounds, he possessed the physical attributes typically associated with forwards. His exceptional passing ability often surprised his teammates, who had to remain attentive to avoid missing his swift deliveries. For further illustration, refer to the accompanying YouTube video, which demonstrates Johnson’s unique talent and confirms that no Lakers players were injured during these plays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnISYh_eXs0

Things have changed

Last season, Duke fans and the nation saw Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg wearing the same jersey. This time around, the former teammates faced off for the first time as NBA rivals—Knueppel with the Hornets and Flagg with the Mavericks. The matchup was intense, culminating in a narrow 123–121 victory for the Hornets, while both players put up stellar numbers. Knueppel racked up 34 points on 62.5% shooting, including hitting two-thirds of his shots from three-point range, along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists for the Hornets. Flagg, leading all scorers despite the loss, dropped 49 points on 69% shooting and connected on 60% of his threes.

Flagg also managed to grab 10 rebounds and dish out 3 assists in the game. He kept fouls to just two but turned the ball over at a critical moment, giving Knueppel the chance to steal it. Trying to recover, Flagg committed a shooting foul, sending Knueppel—who boasts an 80% free-throw average—to the line, where he made both attempts. The Mavericks called a timeout, hoping for a last shot, but Flagg couldn't convert, clinching the Hornets' win. You might believe this was ho-hum game after all both teams have losing records, for me it becomes far different. It provides evidence for all to see outstanding players continuing to join the association. The 49 point total scored by Flagg in the loss is the most by a teenager in the history of the NBA, that is quite an extraordinary accomplishment.

The return of Manu Ginobili

No, the Spurs Hall of Fame guard has not come out of retirement, he’s 48-years old now. As for the headline some might have forgotten Ginobili began his NBA career as the Spurs Sixth Man, his play aided the Spurs in winning four NBA championships in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. What I’ve always found amusing Ginobili is generally credited with bringing the Euro Step to the NBA, interesting in that he’s actually from the South America nation of Argentina. Ginobili played for several teams in Europe prior to beginning his NBA career with the Spurs.

As mentioned he’s in the Hall of Fame despite being the 57th pick in the second round of the 1999 NBA draft, he almost missed being drafted. That was then, let’s fast forward to the present. Keldon Johnson is a name familiar to most NBA players but not most NBA fans. Johnson’s career has begun to blossom as the first reserve off the Spurs bench, he was the 29th pick in the first round of the 2019 draft after playing his college basketball at Kentucky. Unlike Ginobili the journey of Johnson began slightly different, Johnson was a starter and then moved to the bench last season. Some might consider that a demotion however that is not the case. What is a major standout his shooting from the three line, he is a sizzling .352. Johnson has been one of the sparks and a key of this revitalized Spurs team.

Meanwhile….  

Commissioner Adam Silver indicates the NBA will increase its number of teams one day, at the current pace there are snails moving speedier than serious talk of NBA expansion. Some of the conversation has been placing an additional team in Canada and one in Mexico. One is likely to occur the other has a major obstacle preventing expansion, its altitude. That is the issue surrounding an expansion team in Mexico City, all the boxes are checked in a positive manner except the cities altitude. Take for example Denver, the home of the Nuggets, the city is 5,280 feet that’s why its nicknamed “The Mile High City.” Contrast that with Mexico City and its 7,349 foot altitude which makes it the city with the highest elevation in North America. Before you begin checking Mexico City is not the highest however it is the largest populated city with such an elevated height. Will that be the issue that ultimately dashes the hope of Mexico City for an NBA team? I don’t know if that will be a factor however its certainly possible.

The NCAA Men’s Championship Tournament is a basketball event held in football stadiums. The reasoning is easy to understand, far more people can be seated in a stadium over at best a 25,000 seat basketball arena. Based on this fact the location for the next 5 championship tournaments is presented for you. In April 2026 it’s Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis which holds 67,000 for the NFL Colts but up to 70,000 for basketball and concerts. The following year 2027 Ford Field in Detroit, occupancy is 65,000 but 70,000 for basketball. In 2028 its Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, 65,000 for football but it also has the magic number of 70,000 for basketball. 2029 its back to Lucas Oil Stadium again and 2030 the site is AT&T Stadium Arlington. AT&T’s capacity for football is 80,000 if we remember back to the 2010 NBA All Star Game. There were 108,713 fans in attendance that evening for the NBA All Star Game. 2031 the site selected is Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta which can seat 71,000 for football. If I were to take a wild guess it probably would be 80,000 for basketball, so there you have it…basketball played in stadiums built exclusively for football.