A fan’s perspective

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King of New York

Are the Knicks and Nets in competition for the Hearts and Minds of New Yorkers? I don’t know if that will ever occur, the Nets are clearly in second place and will likely remain in that position for a significant period of time. I might add that the Knicks winning the NBA Championship in 2026 the first since 1973 certainly makes it even more difficult for the Nets. The Knicks have history on their side for one thing, they were the only NBA team in the city first beginning play in 1946. I can’t be for sure writing this as an outsider but it would appear the Nets movement around the Greater New York area certainly has not aided their  cause. The Nets were born as the New Jersey Americans in 1976 and was a charter member of the American Basketball Association.

After the 1976-77 season the Nets moved to Long Island and became the New York Nets, they would retain New York in their name when they moved to the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale New York. New Jersey would be the name until 2012, although it was a planned move the Nets moved back into the city and were reborn as the Brooklyn Nets. Rather than reclaim the New York name, the Nets adopted Brooklyn, echoing the borough’s baseball past. Brooklyn once had the Dodgers, who moved to Los Angeles and began playing there in 1958. The Brooklyn Nets name revived that local identity. Since the move, the Nets have recorded 514 wins and 681 losses—a less-than-stellar record. Their future is secure, but who is King of New York? The Knicks, who will likely hold that title indefinitely. So there you have it, the chief reason I believe the city will forever belong to the Knicks.

The Good & the Bad

Laker Nation was excited, the team had gotten off to a fast start at the beginning of the season winning their first three games. They would face the Blazers for game four on the schedule, what occurred was not what Laker Nation expected. It was a good shooting game on the Lakers part, they managed to shoot 56% from the floor and 40% from three. Those are certainly good numbers but not based on what the other guy did. The Blazers let off a sizzling 59% shooting from the floor and 50% from three. Luka led the way in scoring for the Lakers with 41 points and Austin Reaves chipped in 26 but the other guys.

Deni Avdija, Dame Lillard and Jae Morant all scored 20 plus points. I should add the 22 points Jrue Holiday scored as he emerged from the Blazer bench so what occurred? The balance of the numbers i.e., rebounds, blocked shots etc. were somewhat even. One could say the Blazers didn’t play much defense, I could say the Lakers didn’t either losing the game 136-129. The Lakers gave up 32 points in the first quarter then 36, 34 in the third and 34 points in the fourth quarter so it is quite easy to see why they turned out to be losers Tuesday night, based on the results Tuesday evening it’s time for a Laker coaching meeting.

Sometimes you miss some

I’ve said this before and I will repeat it again, ESPNs Jay Bilas is a knowledgeable basketball mind and a voice of note for me anytime I hear or read his take on a subject. I watched a video of him where he acknowledged he’s missed on his assessment of talent. Bilas said at the time the NBA allowed high school talent he failed to assess Dwight Howard accurately. Of course all are aware Howard has gone on to play at a high level for an extended period in the NBA. At age 40 Howard is no longer in the NBA but has continued to play.

There are two others Bilas indicated he thought would be outstanding talents in the league but failed, they are Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons. Some might not remember however in 2017 Fultz was the first pick in that year’s draft by the Sixers. “His career was impacted by thoracic outlet syndrome, a shoulder condition that altered his shooting mechanics.” Fultz is currently not active with any NBA team, he played on a 10-day contract with the Raptors last season. As for Ben Simmons drafted number one in 2016 he sat out the 2025-2026 season, the physical issues aside he first arrived in the NBA unable to shoot the basketball from more than 15-feet. Simmons is now on the Kings roster there is a question if he earns a spot. NOTE: Simmons suffered an Achilles tendon injury and will undergo surgery.

His given name 

From time to time video of Earvin Johnson continues to pop up on one of my social media feeds. That’s his given name, the world knows him as Magic and that’s what he was on the basketball court for the Lakers. Consider this fact, John Stockton leads the NBA in career assists with 15,806, right behind him is Chris Paul and his 12,552. In 8th place is Magic with 10,141 assists and this for some unfamiliar with the history. Early retirement due to a positive HIV test saw Magic play only 13 seasons in the NBA. Compare that to the 19 seasons for Stockton and 21 for Paul.

There are others several who remain active as an example with outstanding assist numbers. LeBron James now with the Sixers exceeds Magic and the Cavs James Harden who will not pass Magic. As for his nickname Magic it arrived with him in 1979 with his NBA debut, a member of the media bestowed the title on him after seeing Magic in action at East Lansing (Michigan) High School. Of course this is all in the past however many ponder the question, what his assist total might have been if he’d played 3-4 additional seasons. That also begs another, what might the Lakers win total have been if he was directing the Showtime Lakers. Rather than me go on and on check out the YouTube video of him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prvjNFHSOj0