Tommy Smith & John Carlos & etc about the NBA

 John Carlos, Tommy Smith, Dr Kenneth Noel & Dr. Harry Edwards were honored by inducting the four men  into the California Hawaii Legacy Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Sacramento, CA, the city in which I now live. Over the years since Smith and Carlos  made history in the 1968 Olympics by raising their black gloved fists on the winners podium as the "Star Spangled Banner "was being played, the two sprinters have gone from national pariahs to heroes of the Civil Rights movement. This is only one of many such awards Smith and Carlos have received, since our country has long ago come to acknowledge the bravery of what they did in 1968. I'm writing this blog to not only remind people of Carlos and Smith, but to remind my readers that their was a third brave soul on the podium that afternoon during the medal ceremony. Below is a poem I wrote in this person's honor;

DOCUMENTARY

    for Peter Norman (42 -2006)

I'm reading about fires raging in Australia
dark, particle filled smoke hovering over xitiesw and towns
images of kangaroos leaping before the rushing flames,
eucalyptus trees burning like torches.

North of th3e fire, my friend's son is working to save lives

He writes his parents he is in no danger but Australia is in flames.

Somewhere I read that the continent of Australia 

contains eleven out of the twelve most poisonous spieces of reptiles on earth.

Their coastal waters teeming with sharks.

In the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City,

Peter Norman, an Australian, having won the silver medal

stood on the podium with with Americans Tommy Smith and John Carlos

when they raised their black gloved fists int the air

Norman, a white man, wore a badge of solidarity.

The Australian Olympic Committee

never forgave him for that one act of bravery.

The call them fire storms. The Ausstrains are praying for rain.

The Australian Olympic Committee never allowed Norman to run for his country again. 

ETC ABOUT THE NBA

I've been thinking about the Golden State Warriors draft and trade. I'm not sure why so many of the talking heads still believe Draymond Green is entertaining  leaving the Warriors, if he ever did. 

Draymond is going out with the horses he came in with. Jordan Poole is gone replaced by Chris Paul.

The Warriors drafted the hot 3 point shooter from Santa Clara University, Brandin Podzienski. The young talented but raw Baldwin II has joined Poole in Washington. In his place the Warriors drafted the 6'9" power forward 22 year old Trace Jackson Davis, the son of Indiana Pacer's power forward Dale Davis. Trace comes in with a grown man's body and can already board and bang. He's got the genes. Podzienski by all accounts sizzle from the 3. And then, we have 18 year NBA All Star Chris Paul coming off the bench to lead a second unit in which these two draft choices will certainly be a part. 

If all of the Warriors remain healthy, are the Golden State Warriors a stronger team than last years. 

And if you think they are, can they win another championship. I leave you with that question unanswered. Be thoughtful. Do not stress over the lost of a talent like Poole. Remember Monte Ellis  who Warrior fans adored was traded and what was the result of that trade?