Possible Season, really?

Read this morning's Sam Amick's article in The Athletic that there is some hope of a renewed NBA season and the crowning of a 2019/20 champion. The teams will have to play in a biocity - Las Vegas - seems to be the front-runner with lots of hotels and two arenas. I can see it happening, each team with its own sheltered hotel, lots of continuous testing, no audience except, perhaps, family, administration, and ownership, widely separated. Television to a starving audience could recoup some of the leagues lost revenue. SO, GO FOR IT, I SAY, with this one essential requirement: All: the league, owners, and players should agree that a portion of the revenue garnered from these final games should be set aside to pay arena workers who lost their jobs due to the abrupt end of the season. I do not know if teams continued to pay their arena employees ( I would hope they did, but find it unlikely they did for more than a few weeks), but even if they did, money should still go to these low wage earners as a bonus, a thank you for cleaning the arena, for getting us our popcorn, for serving us our 50 dollar hotdogs, for directing fans to their seats. You are the best, HERE'S A NICE FAT CHECK FOR YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE.

On to another article I read this morning in the emasculated sport page of the Sacramento Bee, a commentary by Tim Dahlberg. Dahlberg writes primarily about the financial impact COVID 19
will have on the future of professional golf: fewer tours, smaller purses, less player perks. Given the severity of the virus on the average citizen in America, I am unimpressed that pro golfers will have to suck it up a little. But Dahlberg goes on to talk about "revenues going down across the board" in all sports - pros and colleges. Any renewed sporting event will have to make a financial adjustment. I quote: "That might not be such a bad thing for fans who have to pay $50 to park and $16 for a decent beer (decent is a relative term) after already digging deep to buy tickets for the family." Read the entire article; it's very well written and informative. I'm sure you can pull it up on line.

A suggestion to the NBA. You're missing the boat on the NBA Channel. You should be promoting past NBA Championship games better than you are. You can be so much more creative. Team prizes for people watching games, easily verified by telephone calls: NBA quiz shows players vs civilians; like the HORSE tourny, players competing for how many free throws made in a row. How about Rick Barry vs any present day player? I'll bet on Barry even at his age. Look, I'm just imagining
stuff that NBA and basketball fans in general would have fun watching. And I'm sure the networks would be delighted to air.

One last thing: Our fake President says he did started combating COVID19 "early" starting in January when he locked out Chinese travelers from entering the United States and later in January locking out travelers from infected European countries. Why the hell am I NOT IMPRESSED while Americans from all these countries (many of whom were no doubt infected by this time) were allowed back into our country without being TESTED?????? And then, what were you doing, Mr. Fake President, during the month of February, four weeks and into early March when you did zero. Not only ZERO, but kept insisting this virus would go way like a "miracle?"

YOU, SIR, ARE A LIAR. HALF THE DEATHS OF OUR GOOD CITIZENS REST ON YOUR TARDY SHOULDERS.

PLEASE GOD, SOMEBODY WITH SOME MORAL STRENGTH STAND UP TO THIS EVIL PRESIDENT!!!!

I promise not to write another COVID19 poem. But here is my one;

MY COVID 19 POEM

Sheltered in place, this afternoon, the NBA season
canceled, I'm watching reruns of games. It's 1994,
Knicks vs Bulls. I'm feeling squeamish as the Bulls'
Anthony Mason drives to the basket and scores
as if he was alive and hadn't been dead for years
from a stroke. It might be the statistics on the news
of the number of dead rising around the world
that had me thinking of NBA ghosts, my teammates
and me as a kid on Halloween trying to be brave
walking through the haunted house, white sheets
popping up around every corner. In New York City
they rent refrigerator trucks to store dead bodies.
Yesterday, I watched the Boston Celtics play
and Dennis Johnson died as he crossed mid-court
and rose into the air on the wings of angels.
I am eighty-one-years old, The virus likes my age.
I welcome ghost into my life, old friends. . 

CORONA VIRUS 19, No Upside, but. . .

As weird as it may turn out to be, the NBA will not be able to crown a champion this season unless

our government can get its act together a lot faster than its doing. I do not see that happening from

the Federal side where the lack of leadership is a sinkhole of vacillation. The lack of a bold offensive

can not be overstated. Anyone with the least knowledge of the overall effect of the virus on the health of the population and the country's economy understands that 1 trillion dollars will not cut it. Unless (and this is highly unlikely) the President supports and the Congress agrees to a 5 trillion dollar investment in the lives of our people. If  they don't, we are in for a long, suffering haul, that could last who knows how long. To the start of the next NBA season in October? Then what? 

Right this minute I'd replace Mr. Trump with NBA Commissioner,Adam Silver and our country would begin to see positive results, pronto. Ok, so the commish is a little bit tied up running the NBA, how about Joe Lacob, owner of the Golden State Warriors; he have things moving. Ok, so Lacob is busy too, let's give Warrior GM, Bob Myers, a shot at running this country. I am NOT being snaarky. Each one of the men I mentioned has more leadership instincts in one finger than our fake president has in his entire body. Test out this replacement idea on any of your favorites for the job - no politicians allowed. 

Rant over, not the "but. . ." 

Here's a possible upside: Aside from the NBA players who have to get through the virus (and I wish them all the best and a healthy future), the rest of the leagues' players will have the longest period in the history of the NBA to rest their bodies. I have always believed that as the NBA began playing in the air the way it has over the last twenty years, that it is a miracle we have had as few injuries as we've had. Seven months away from serious contact basketball will refresh the bodies and the minds of our players, so that when the NBA begins again, it will be with physically healthy athletes, eager to get started doing what they do best on the court. This "but" is of course most important for teams whose players are recovering from injuries - the Warriors come to mind, but lets take into account all the players around the league with injuries, serious or nagging, as well. 

Don't misunderstand me. I'm not personally happy with this pandemic state of affairs. Without the NBA games, it's post season, Summer League, I'm in serious withdrawal mode. My wife can hardly put up with me. 

This is not a sports poem, but it is a poem that in the midst of this pandemic, might provide some comfort.

Pandemic    by Lynn Ungar

What if you thought of it

as the Jews consider the Sabbath –

the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel!

Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now

on trying to make the world

different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those

to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

And when your body has become still,

reach out with your heart

Know that we are connected

in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

(You could hardly deny it now.)

Know that our lives

are in one another’s hands.

(Surely that has come clear.)

Do not reach out your hands.

Reach out your heart.

Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils

of compassion that move, invisibly

where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love -

for better or for worse,

in sickness and in health,

so long as we all shall live.

Kobe, in Memory

There's not much I can add to the outpouring of emotions expressed by people all over the world
by the death of Kobe Bryant. It is worth mentioning, however, that Kobe was not an instant super star, that he worked hard to become one. And worked hard to grow from teenager (with some big time mistakes) into an exemplary adult, as his life after basketball certainly proves.

I wonder how many people remember the game in the 1995 playoffs against the Jazz in his rookie season in which Bryant was set up by his coach to take on the responsibility of winning the game and missed four shots badly. Unlike the young player in the poem, Bryant did not let those air-balls destroy his confidence.

Short of Michael Jordan, I don't think I've ever seen a better clutch shooter.

Kobe Bryant   by Tom Meschery

Four air-balls in a row
and he face of the cock-sure
millionaire becomes the face 
of Billy Harris who I told 
to take the last shot
for the city championship
although he was too young
the only sophomore on the team.
When the ball left his hand
I knew right away,
it wouldn't drop
and wanted to climb the air
to pull it back before
it fell short, and the fans
began to stomp their feet
and point that terrible pronoun
at him, as if you! you!  you!
didn't already understand
he'd never be the same player
he was the day began.
Tonight on TV against the Jazz,
I watch Kobe and believe
it's my fault all over again
because Billy Harris never 
got his shot back no matter 
what I did or said to him
for the next two seasons. 

Whistle-Blower or Tattle Tale?

I was watching the Astros kick butt in the 2017 World Series with my friend, Larry Colton, ex of the Phillys and University of Cal Bear's pitching ace, still the holder of Cal's single strike-out record. Having him as my guide through a sport that normally bores the crap out of me, helped me to appreciate the pitching strategies primarily, but also much of the other nuances of the game that I don't see by myself.

I guess now, based on the expose of  whistle-blower, Mike Fiers, some of those nuances had to do with stealing signs. This mornings sport page in the Sacramento Bee contained an article defending the actions of the whistle-blower.

I'd like to weigh in on the subject. I'm all for whistle-blowers. Thank God for the whistle-blower who outed our president for his quid-pro-quo effort to get political dirt on Joe Biden and his son. Thank God for the whistle-blower who outed the tobacco industry and whistle-blowers like him who've helped to save people's lives, or in the case of the president, save our democracy.

I don't believe Fiers falls into this category of whistle-blower. There is no question he did the right thing by exposing the nefarious conduct of the Astros. What a gift it must have been for Astro batters to know what pitch was coming there way. "Next pitch, sinker. . . fastball. . . curve ball, etc. I remember turning to Larry as we watched the game how much I was enjoying the Astros hitting the hell out of the ball. Now I find out they were cheaters. Yuk!

Add Mike Fiers to that Yuk! list of cheaters. So, he finally found a conscience? Two years after he got a ring and a check. A little early for sarcasm, but the keyboard couldn't help it. I'm wondering why Fiers didn't go to baseball commissioner as an anonymous whistle-blower during the World Series? For that matter, why didn't he stand up to his teammates and coaches and say, "Hey fellows we can't do this. Either we win fair and square or we don't win at all." That would have taken a lot of courage.
His outing of his team two years later doesn't seem to meet the definition of courage as well. I'm also wondering why he didn't go to the MBL commissioner now, instead of going to the newspaper. Granted, he probably believed the Commish would try to cover it up, that's sort of what happens in bureaucratic hierarchies. But, at least, he could have said he tried to go through the chain of command, not that I've ever been greatly impressed with such chains, mostly "weak links." With the notable exclusion of Adam Sliver of the NBA.

I'm sure Fiers feels he's been high-minded exposing the Astros. Better he did, then he didn't; otherwise, the Astros would have probably gotten away with the scam. But something about Fiers' motives doesn't pass my smell test. So, I remain skeptical. However, Fiers can change my skepticism to admiration by giving back his ring and donating his entire World Series check to charity.

On another subject, how about some consideration of Steve Kerr for NBA Coach-of-the-Year for the remarkable job he and his staff are doing with their young and virtually inexperienced Dubs. It's not about wins, but attitude. These young men are playing team ball with great effort and tons of enthusiasm. (and not to go unnoticed, in the process becoming better basketball players) The old cliche, ". . . it's how you play the game" has never been so well illustrated.

I'm down with the recent Kings' trade. With Ariza gone (and I love Ariza's game), the onus falls back on Harrison Barnes to be the best player he can be. If Bazemore can reclaim his Atlanta Hawks game, he can provide much need 3 point shooting from the wing. Tolliver, in my mind, is unique. There's not a team he's played for that hasn't valued his efforts. He is a pro. He'll give the Kings boards, defense and he's not a bad 3 pt shooter, and it doesn't matter how many minutes he gets. He's actually a better bench player than Ariza for the Kings. The Kings also received two down-the-road 2nd round draft choices, that is a little long range for the let's win now people, but always a smart move. Ariza will help the Blazers with his experience and D. I also think Gabriel has the potential to become a decent power forward. The Blazers need some strength on the boards. Now the Kings need to find a place to send Daedmon who wants out anyway. The Kings desperately have to find their starters and a solid rotation. And pray for no more injuries.


Baseball's Sad Lexicon    by Franklin P. Adams

These are the saddest of possible words:
      "Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Trio of bear cubs and fleeter than birds
        Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double -
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
         "Tinker to Evers to Chance."

A Few Small Comments

I watched the Golden State Warriors play last night. The young Warriors played their hearts out. Couldn't sustain their effort and lost in overtime to a very multi-talented (and under performing) team. I don't know what the problem is with the Nuggets. I do know one thing, that may keep them from wining a championship: their center, Jokic, is  a big baby. He's a mountain of a man and super talented, with a soft touch and crafty moves, yet he lumbers around, snuffles, feels sorry for himself when player beat on him, whines to the ref (when Draymond smacked him) has to get mad to play great, but keeps pouting.

I feel the same way about Joel Embid of the 76ers with different tells. Lazy? Brittle, misses games, a pouter, on the court loses focus. Lacks consistent motor.

I wonder what would have become of Jokic and Embid had they had to endure the game-to-game beating that Wilt, Russell, Jabbar, and Nate 'The Great" had to take, and not one pout or whine from any of them over long careers of being physically attacked.

Am I wrong? Maybe I'm being too critical. But I swear if I'd played against Jokic, I'd have tested him with a well placed elbow. I can hear the outcry now: Oh, we don't do that sort of thing in the modern game.

Now, let's consider the Nugget's back up center, Mason Plumlee. What a shame Jokic doesn't have Plumlee's attitude: Ball's-out all game long; never quits; hits and takes hits; no excuses. Gotta love the guy. Can you imagine, if the young man possessed shooting skills? My wife calls him a "good-ol-boy."

Looks like the Nuggets were right bringing Michael Porter, their first round draft pick in 2018, along slowly. He's got game. Sweet touch.

Glad to see Jordan Poole starting to get some confidence shooting his three. It's a good looking shot, no reason it should not be swishing. Nuggets so crowded at every position, it's like a back up on the freeway. They're going to have to sort out a solid rotation before the can compete for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

It seems to me that from the start John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan were going to be a powerful duo. The same age group, same football mentality, similar personalities.

 Forty-Niners vs Kansas City for the Stupid Bowl.

Patrick Mahomes is footballs version of Steph Curry. Just plain fun watching these two intelligent, innovative, and daring athletes. I was thinking Bret Favre as a Mahomes-type predecessor, but Favre was an idiot savant, and Patrick looks like a pigskin PhD.

Comment on Life: When asked to read a section of the United States Constitution, Trump tried and got frustrated, saying it looked like a foreign language. I'll let you judge the man's mentality.

CLEAR PATH   by Tom Meschery

Life seemed pretty clear to me when I was young.
At 21 how going forward for me was the exigency
of playing basketball for a living. Like driving the freeway,
I never let up on the gas pedal. I never gave
much thought that at the end of the freeway
there might be an accident waiting for me.
That's why when the referee signals a clear path
violation, I think how I might have saved myself
from so much bullshit had there been a referee
to whistle the play dead, instead of allowing me
to continue the way I always did, with a kind of
fuck-it-all attitude, toward the hoop and the inevitable
collision in the air, and landing. Let me tell you,
it hurt like hell, And usually in my day
the referee never called a foul, let me lay
on the freeway like the wreak I was.