A fans perspectives

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29 or 31

I was a fan of Anthony Davis prior to the trade that brought him to the Lakers. I remember him from his play at Kentucky and later once the Pelicans drafted him. Teamed with LeBron James they were able to win the 2020 NBA championship, since that time AD has been productive but there was an issue. He missed periods he was unable to play spending weeks it seems on the injury list. February 2025 all that changed, Nico Harrison then president of basketball operations and GM of the Mavericks contacted his counterpart with the Lakers Rod Pelinka. The conversations probably went something like this, “How’d you like to have Luka Doncic on your team?” I’m sure the first question was who do you want in exchange for him?

Pelinka was most likely shocked when Harrison said, “How about Anthony Davis?” That was it, the trade was made and there was rejoicing in Laker Land and bunches of angry fans in Dallas. Keep in mind there were multiple players and draft choices included in the trade. The trade was really one for one, AD for Doncic. In November 2025 Harrison was relieved of his duties but that is not the end of the story. On Wednesday Anthony Davis and a host of others was traded to the Wizards and that is where the story ends. As for the headline, if we count the games AD played last season for the Mavericks and thus far this season the number is 29 or 31. One source claims AD played 29 games in total for the Mavericks while another claims it was 31. No matter the number, the end result, superstar Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers for less than a half-season of play. There is no doubt in my mind…this goes down as the worst trade in NBA history.

The mind of James Harden

There is no method for me or anyone else for that matter to uncover the mindset of James Harden now with the Cavs. No argument on my part (or anyone else for that manner) that James Harden is a super basketball talent. 2018 NBA MVP with the Rockets he proved he can do it all but that’s the issue, what motivates him might be the question. Friends, basketball remains a team game, whenever the team fails to win we generally don’t point fingers at one individual. That statement can be made about Harden, of his 5 previous teams, for the most part all were probably incapable of winning an NBA championship.

Despite that statement a few did have the opportunity if he only played like he did in the regular season. See quite a time ago many of us discovered there was a difference. ’Playoff’ James Harden has proven to be quite different from ‘regular’ season James Harden. This veteran Cavs guard is now 36-years old, time is running out to the end of his NBA career. What must he accomplish at Cleveland to satisfy critics like me, it’s quite simple. Contribute to an NBA championship while a member of the Cavs, something he’s failed at 5 other NBA stops since his career began in 2009. Am I being too tough on Harden, perhaps that might be the case however time has expired…this is his last opportunity for a championship in my view.

MSG

The initials above could stand for monosodium glutamate, what is it? “MSG is found naturally in some foods including tomatoes and cheese in this glutamic acid form.” For me and others MSG stands for Madison Square Garden as said often, “The world’s most famous arena.” Several years ago I traveled to New York City and took in all the tourist sites, I missed two most identified with New York City. They are the Statue of Liberty and Madison Square Garden the home of the New York Knicks, the NHL Rangers and scores of other entertainment events held annually. The present MSG was opened in 1968 and is the oldest arena currently in use by an NBA team.

The arena located at Seventh and Eighth avenues from 31st to 33rd streets above Pennsylvania Station is just the latest MSG. The original MSG opened in 1879, it was replaced in 1890, that arena was superseded in 1925 and was in use until the present arena opened in 1968. A great number of historic NBA, NHL and college basketball games have been played in the arena since its opening. In addition to sporting events we could include a great number of concerts and the circus. Will there be another MSG built ever, there’s been talk however not much more than discussions on a replacement. In any event I hope one day to return to the city and see the inside of the arena made famous by those World Champion Knick teams in 1970 and 1973.

We debate the issue

Among the many issues facing the college game of today is professional players. We have begun to see an ever increasing number of players return to play college basketball, to my knowledge none have spent extensive time. Once again the line between amateur and professional has become even more confusing. Ol skool individuals like me have issues with this change while one of my younger co-workers sees the situation in a slightly different manner. To borrow a phrase said by legendary Laker broadcaster Chick Hearn, “No harm, No Foul.”

The issue most unclear to this writer there appears no established criteria for an appeal. In one instance a player was drafted even played in the NBA Summer League but was allowed to return to college. The key, this particular athlete never signed a professional contract. Without going into detail the most recent example, this athlete played 10 games in the NBA yet is appealing in order to return to play college ball, his argument, “I left school too early.” We all make mistakes and sometimes those decisions rightly or wrongly affect our life for an unspecified period of time. My mind is made up, despite the transfer portal, NIL and other changes this one causes me a great deal of difficulty. In closing this disclaimer, I’ve expressed my view on the subject where there is no requirement for you to agree with my assessment.

I’m going to be the first

“During the history of the NCAA tournament only 20 teams entered the tournament with a perfect record.” Seven teams have won the tournament championship with that record. Bill Russell’s San Francisco Dons were the first to accomplished the feat in 1956. In 1957 the University of North Carolina won in three overtimes beating Kansas led by Wilt Chamberlain. John Wooden led UCLA twice to undefeated championships in 1964 and again in 1967. In 1972 and 1973 Wooden’s teams accomplished the task again each time with 30-0 seasons. The last team, the 1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers won the NCAA Tournament in 1976.

That would be unique in more ways than one, Bobby Knight would become the last NCAA winning coach who led his team to an undefeated season. Since that year, some teams have come close, six teams began the tournament and suffered their first loss. As for the headline of this account I’m going to be the first. I intend to pose the question will Arizona (22-0) finish the season with an NCAA championship and a perfect record as well? If you are superstitious I have broken the rule, you know the one that claims you never discuss something of this nature prior to it possibly occurring. Some might be unfamiliar with the superstition however It’s supposed to bring bad luck to discuss it.