MA fan’s perspective

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Who Do You Trust  

During the golden age of television a quiz show with the above title was aired from 1956-1963. “Married couples would compete to answer questions; the husband decides whether he or his wife will answer.” That sentence from Wikipedia provides you an idea how 1950s the program was, the husband had to decide etc., etc. One of the hosts was Johnny Carson who would later make his mark as the host of NBCs long running Tonight Show. This account is not about television programs however it could be a quiz, who do you trust.

As this is written there’s been no official word from the NBA. Unsure of when the league offices might sign off on the findings I wanted to get in front of the revelation. It’s being reported the NBA has no proof that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap by funneling money through team sponsors in order to pay Kawhi Leonard. That leaves one question: who should we believe—the NBA, or media member Pablo Torres, who uncovered the payment story? I would never label myself a conspiracy theorist but if the early report is correct someone managed to avoid a major fine. If early reports are true does Torres lose a degree of credibility?

I ain’t no hater

David Suggs of The Sporting News wrote an article which I’d like to discuss with you. Suggs put together his list of Top 10 Sixers over time. Number 10 for Suggs was Maurice Cheeks (1978-1993), he placed Hal Greer (1958-1973) at 9, number 8 he listed Dolph Schayes (1949-1964). It should be pointed out Schayes began his career at the time the team’s home base was Syracuse (NY), Schayes ended his career shortly after the move to Philadelphia. As for others it was Joel Embiid (2017-present) along with Allen Iverson (1996-2010) Charles Barkley (1984-2000) then Julius Erving (1971-1987), Wilt Chamberlain (1959-1973). Suggs has LeBron James (2003-present) as his number one choice as the best Sixer player ever.  

Before I move to the “meat & potatoes” of his account for an odd reason Suggs failed to list at player at 7.  As for me, Moses Malone (1982-1986 & briefly 1993-1994) should fit somewhere in a Sixer top ten or perhaps Bobby Jones. LeBron James is an NBA all-time great, he’s the all-time scoring leader. Depending on who is in the conversation he is considered the GOAT in some circles. Despite the accolades of this generational player I have a tough time listing James as an all-time great Sixer. As this is written he’s yet to play a single game in a Sixer jersey, he’s not scored one point in practice or under game conditions. Will this change once he begins scoring and playing for the Sixers, not for me? It will be necessary for him to play 5-6 seasons to be included in my list of all-time greats for this team, I guess that makes me a hater.

Is he under pressure

The jury is still out regarding Darryn Peterson, the former Kansas guard who had a checkered freshman season at Kansas. Peterson arrived in Lawrence Kansas last fall as the top potential draft pick in the majority of NBA mock draft sites. His freshman year was a roller coaster ride, more down than up. From the letters and commentary a large segment of Jayhawk Nation was upset with the on-court production they witnessed. The vast majority of complaints from fans was likely based on NIL money Peterson was paid. As you are aware Peterson left Kansas for the NBA and was made the second pick by the Jazz in the 2026 draft.

For the second year in a row coach Bill Self was able to recruit the top high school player in the nation, his name Tyran Stokes. Stokes is a 6-foot 7 230 pound wing and will be inserted in the starting lineup day one. As I often mention it’s difficult for me to discuss money anytime we are deliberating an athlete’s ability. By all indications Stokes is being paid a larger sum of money over that Peterson received. The comparison between Peterson and Stokes is remarkably similar, both McDonald’s All Americans, both 5-star prospects and there are others. Does the time Peterson spent off the court affect how Jayhawk Nation and many in the media might sense about Stokes? That issue becomes the basis for the headline you read above.

All-Time greats

With 17 NBA championships in the record book the Lakers are second behind the 18 won by the Celtics. In order to win that number of championships requires contributions by outstanding talent. The franchise in the same manner as others have drafted or traded for players who came up short in the talent department. The names associated with those championships reads like a who’s who of NBA greats. Most of them have been enshrined in the Naismith, College or FIBA Halls of Fame. One dot.com site selected 20 names for its list, they are placed in the following order.

Kobe Bryant

Magic Johnson

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Shaquille O’Neal

Jerry West

Wilt Chamberlain

Elgin Baylor

LeBron James

James Worthy

Pau Gasol

I highly object to placing LeBron James above “Big” Game James Worthy and the explanation follows. Worthy helped the cause in winning three championships for the Lakers (1985, 1987, and 1988). In addition he was named Finals MVP in the 1988 win, Worthy was a key contributor to the Showtime Lakers. Several reading this are probably saying out loud I’m discounting the contributions of LeBron James and that is not the case. LeBron was the ring leader in the Lakers winning number 17, for a variety of reasons that was it. The criteria for this was NBA champions which is the formula I utilized. Now someone might argue why Elgin Baylor is ranked so high when he failed to win a single championship, that’s a discussion for another time.