A basketball fan’s perspective

Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Gasoline onto a smoldering fire

I’ve tried to clarify my position regarding income earned by NBA athletes. I have no serious issues with earning as much as possible however there is an unscrupulous manner which there are issues for me. This is an old rumor however it popped up again on one of my social media feeds. In 2019 it was reported Kawhi Leonard wanted to “return home.” The belief at the time his team of choice would be the Lakers rather than the Clippers. Of course we know what eventually occurred but what about the WHY of signing with the other team? We read much later Leonard’s uncle Dennis had made demands the Lakers were not going to agree to. What were the demands you ask, well this came from Jeanie Buss so is it true, it’s not official? Here are the unproven details:

Partial ownership stake in the Lakers

Private jet available at all times

A house

Guaranteed endorsements & sponsorships

From Courtside Buzz: “Buss immediately informed Kawhi’s uncle & agent, Dennis Robertson, that these demands violated the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, & she rejected them.” With all the stories circulating around Kawhi Leonard am I “tossing gasoline onto a smoldering fire?” I truly hope not because there is no proof these demands were made by Leonard’s uncle and agent however they appear highly suspicious if we connect them to the Aspiration investigation. 

This is different

Barclays Center home of the Brooklyn Nets has an interesting history. The building officially opened in September 2012, its located at one of the busiest intersections in the borough of Brooklyn, Atlantic and Flatbush Avenue. The arena is also different from others in the NBA because there is no parking lot for patrons to attend basketball games, concerts and boxing. Arrival for attendees is nearby subway, train or taxi and seating capacity is 17,732 people. The Nets, however, tasted success at the level some expected however they now have a permanent home. Compare this to their founding as an American Basketball team in 1967 as a charter member.

There have been 7 arenas over the teams history they managed to refer to as home. The first arena was Teaneck Armory in Teaneck, NJ, they played but one season 1967-1968. The next move was Long Island Arena (1968-1969) then Nassau Coliseum (1971-1977), Rutgers Center (1977-1981). From 1981 to 2011 home was Meadowlands which had a succession of names, finally the Prudential Center (2010-2012). As you can see there have been a number of moves in the history of the Nets but finally the Barclays move in 2012 has provided the team an unchanging home. There is no disagreement, the Knicks are New York City, the Nets will never supersede that fact even if they should win an NBA championship.

I hate this

Hate is a strong word and one I rarely use but allow this explanation. Capital has been the driving force as to why there are west coast teams now competing in the Eastern Time Zone of the nation. I am now reading that one of the longest rivalries in the nation will not occur this upcoming season. The University of Washington has played Washington State every season since 1917, that’s 109 years. A rivalry existed between the two schools as members of the Pac-12 and what preceded it. In 2024 the University of Washington moved to the Big-10 Conference which is comprised of middle America teams.

Although the rivals have played in different conferences (Pac-12 & Big-10) they managed to schedule one another until this upcoming season. According to reports it was something as simple, “WSU was open to playing UW this season, according to a source, but talks between the sides fell through.” Of course in my “backyard” we have the Kansas-Missouri rivalry which also fell apart based on Missouri moving to the SEC while Kansas remained in the Big-12. These two have come back to play one another in football and basketball but the question----will it last? Keep in mind sports programs must utilize all sorts of revenue streams and perhaps dissolving of conferences is just one example.

yahoo.com sports

He’s the best

We don’t pay a great deal of attention to Lavar Ball, his talk has become like an empty wagon. A great deal of noise but that’s about all, especially his claim. “If a team wants to win they need to have all the brothers on the same team” or something similar. Of course he was referring to son’s Lonzo, Lamelo and LiAngelo Ball but there is an issue with the projection of the father. Lonzo, although clearly demonstrated talent at a point he cannot remain healthy for an extended period. It’s a shame for me to make this statement but his NBA career might be over and he’s only 28-years old. Middle son LiAngelo after several NBA tryouts and time spent in the G-League his phase as a professional basketball player is over. He is now a rapper and signed to Def Jam Recordings.

This leaves “baby brother” LaMelo who is clearly better at the game than his two older brothers. Although he’s been traded to the Wolves this move had nothing to do with his play on the court. He was drafted by the Hornets with the 3rd pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft. To prove everyone wrong Melo would be named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021. He’s not a shooter but can score the ball, his low number scoring was the 15.7 ppg his rookie year. The next four seasons he never averaged less than 20 points a game but there is more. He also averaged his lowest assist number his rookie year (6.1), he’s consistently been above that number since. Standing 6-foot 7 Melo is also an outstanding rebounder although he’s at the point guard position. Despite what father Lavar says Melo is his last and only hope for success in the NBA.