STOPING TANKING

 I just read an intriquing proposal from The Athletic about a possible solution to NBA teams tanking: It is odd at first glance, but the more I thought about it, the more it began to make sense: The idea is this: The two teams with the worst recoreds at the end of the season are gauraunteed pikc numer 4 and number 5. That leaves the the 3d, 4th, and 5th worst teams with the highest probabliiy of wining the top three picks. If this is implemented, I can see some serious competiion about the last five worst teams in the league competiing vigourously NOT to be the fust and second worst teams for the season. There would be a competion to be 3rd, 4th and 5th worst. This is a delightul reverse backhad solution to tanking. Imagine the last gaem of the season between the Wizards and the Pelicans. Whichever team wins will be in 3thired placd in the lottery. The loser will be 2nd and have no chance to get any of the top three draft choices. Could be one hard fought game. Score one for the fans, Right? And, just so the top two lop losing teams don't get shut out completly, allow me to suggest there have been plenty of greaat NBA players who've been seleced with the 4th and 5 picks. For example: Castles of the Spurs last year in the 4th; Aman and Amar Thompson with the 4th and 5th picks; Scotti Barnes in 21 with the 4th pick. D'Aaron Fox with the 4 pick in 2019 and in 2016 Tray Young with the 4th. Porzingus, DeAndre Hunter and Aaron Gordon  were all selected with the four pick. 

I've been thinking of my fatherer these days as my memoir The Mad Manchurian is now out in bookstoares andd being read. Memories of him thinking baskeball was no way for a real man to make a living. I wrote the following poem for him.

Journeyman

 

I admit sleeping in late at the Hilton,
ordering room service,
handing out big tips while other me
are opening their lunch buckets. I know
you would have scolded me:
Что это за работа для мужчины?
(What kind of work is this for a man?) 
Old immigrant, I admit all of this
too late. You died before I could explain
newspapers call me a journeyman.
They write I roll up my sleeves
andgo to work. They use words
lke hammer and muscle to describe me.
For three straight years on the job
my nose collapsed. My knees ached,
and I could never talk myself out of less
than two injuires at a time. Father,
you would have been proud of me:
I labored in the company of large men.

MIND BOGGLING

 Let's begin with life - as it exists in this country today. The key word is STUPIDITY. I'm in a quandary as to which is the most stupid stupidity that's happened recently: Is it the mind-boggling stupid Dallas Mavericks' trade of 25 year-old generational offensive wizard Luca Doncic for a 32 year-old All-Star center Anthony Davis who has a history of health problems & a decent bench player in Max Christie OR Donald Trump's administration's decision to remove anything in the U.S. military files that have to do with GAYs, has resulted in removing the iconic photograph of the Second World War bomber Enola Gay that carried the Atomic Bomb to Japan and Hiroshima to end the Second World War. In addition, it eliminated all "genetic" research because  they thought they were eliminating all "gender" research. When announced, the Republican side of the legislature actually cheered and clapped. I'm not through. This edict also eliminates all the records and flies of Major General Hobart Gay who served with distinction in the Koran War, YA GOTTA BE KIDDING ME. 

I'll leave you to decide. 

Now to the NBA. Just a few comments. 

A lot will depend on Jonathon Kuminaga's play once he returns to the team to determne where the Dubs will wind up in the playoffs. I very much enjoy the team as I'm watching it in its present form, but they will lack the twitch atleticism that the top teams like the Cavs, Delts, OKC and Nuggets have. More on the Lakers next.

Damm it, I hate to admit that the Lakers have a chance to win the West, but the addition of Doncic has done the trick. That, and all their players back healthy. Reeves as a third scoring threat is for mor potent than when he was the secondary go to guy. And the surprising shot blocking energy of Jaxon Hayes has filled enough of the paint protection gap lost after AD left. They can score in buckets and the have defenders who make up for Doncic's lack of enthusiasm for D. Except for Hayes I don't see where they are weak at any other position. 

Like the TWolves, I thought that the Randle trade would work. It hasn't. I can't figure out why. It can't possibly be that Randle operates most naturally in Rudy Gobberts domain, thus clogging up the paint? Are we missing some coaching here? 

All the talking heads are in agreement that OKC will win the West. Things have changed with the advent of the New Lakers, and I would not count out Jokic's Nuggets. And tje Warroprs could surprise because of their system that makes beating them over 7 games very difficult.

What about Boston? They are who they are: They live and die by the three point line. The X factor for the Celts will be if Porzigis and Jru Holiday perform well. If they do, the Celts beat the Cavs. If not the Cavs with the addition of a defender like Hunter win. 

One of the great ironies of this season are the two candidates for Coach of the Year: J.B. Bickerstaff the of the Detroit Pistons, the previous coach of the Cleveland Cavs, and Kenny Atkinson, the present coach of the Cavs who replaced J.B. This won't happen, but I vote for dual honors this year as both coaches have done equally magnificent jobs this season. Come on, NBA. let's think outside the box. 

A couple of last comments. 1) The teams that are looking for instant miracles from Cooper Flagg better have a plan to provide him with some solid help. He is a generational player, but he is not instant help as was the case with players like Magic, MJ, LeBron and Doncic.  2) I surprised myself this morning reading about the weat teams in the N|BA and tinking that the Wizards have some pretty damn good young players. I'd starft giving them a lot of playing minutes betwen now and the end of the season. 

It's March. I was planning to post this poem in February to remind people that Black Lives mater more than ever these days. 

HOODIE

 

A gray hoodie will not protect my son

from rain, from the New England cold.

 

I see the partial eclipse of his face

as his head sinks into the half-dark

 

and shades his eyes. Even in our

quiet suburb with its unlocked doors,

 

I fear for his safety – the darkest child

on our street in the empire of blocks.

 

Sometimes I don’t know who he is anymore,

traveling the back roads between boy and man.

 

He strides a deep stride, pounds a basketball

into the wet pavement. Will he take his shot

 

or is he waiting for the open-mouthed

orange rim to take a chance on him? I sing

 

his name to the night, ask for safe passage

from this borrowed body into the next

 

and wonder who could mistake him

for anything but good.

 

               January Gill O’Neil 

I

BIG AND SMALL

 Watching the Warriors defensively dismantle the Sacramento Kings last night with the smallest lineup that I can remember was impressive. Later, Coach Kerr stated that he believes this is going to be the Warriors' starting lineup of the future. This has caused a flurry of media and fan responses about Small Ball efficacy in a league that has been trending to Big Ball lately. How will the Warriors fare against teams with tall, long wings and huge 7 ft centers, like Jokic. Well, they did quite well against a team with 6'11" Domatas Sabonas and back up 7' Jonas Valanciunas. There will be Adebayo, Towns,  Antetocoupo to think about, but if last night's game is a predicter, then I'm not too worried. And, remember, Mr. Looney is ready at all times to provide some muscle if needed and Trace Davis and the suprisingly up and coming 7' Quinten Post. The key in my mind is consistent Defenseive aggressiveness. It's not enough to simply keep your man in front of you, it means making your opponent worried abd nervous, forcing him out of his comfort zones, which is what the Warriors did to the Kings last night. It is my belief that if the Warriors can keep this kind of defense going the rest of the way, no team will be happy to have to play the Dubs in a seven game series. Remember, also, that Jonathan Kuminga will be back soon. If truly healthy, coming off he bench, he will provide lots of athleticism on both ends of the court. It's important to remember that Kuminga is a very in-your-face defender. And, finally, let's be clear, the Warriors' transformation has come about with the addition of Jimmy Butler. Butler truly knows how to play basketball at both ends of the court. One could compare him to Draymond Green with a shooting touch. He balances both mind and instinct. And he does a lot of the little things that add up to wins, intercepting a pass at a crucial time, snagging an offensive rebound, shutting down a hot shooter, boxing off, etc, etc. I was very concerned about this trade, No longer. Butler is a baller, pure and simple. He has never forgotten what he learned on the playground, you don't get to stay on the court unless you win. 

My wife an I are looking forward to joining other retired Wariors' numbers on Sunday afternoon to be part of the cereemony to retire the number of Andre Iguodala, Wilt, Thurmond, and Atlles have passed but Rick Barry and I from the Sixties generation of Warriors are still standing.  Chris Mullins will represent the Dream Team generation. Iguodala will be the first Dub to rise into the rafters. He will soon be followed by Curry, Thompson, Green, and KD. 

Wilt Chamberlain's anniversary of his 100 point game is approaching, I'll be posting Wilt poems unti then. 

LOOKING UP AT WILT

There is, among the tallest of everything:
From ageless redwoods to light houses,
to tall tales of Biblical Goliaths
to the giant lumberjack, Paul Bunyon
to the tallest at the Court of Basketball,
the Lord Chamberlain of Height, Sir Wilt.

 

 

 

NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND 2025 & ETC

 I don't think I need to say too much  about Mac McClung's winning the dunk contest except to say in terms of creativity and athleticism it was the best I've ever seen, Remember the dude is only 6'2" tall. That little rim touch before dunking the last of his jumps was pure dunk contest desert. I'm writing on Sunday morning, so I'm holding off what I think of the new tournament format for the All Star Game, but I have a feeling the NBA might have a winner. It smells like it will be more competitive. 

As for the contests themselves, the addition of Stephen Castle proved that there are dunkers in the NBA, to make the competition meaningful. It's up to the league office to vet the contestants more thoroughly. The first two other leapers Andre Jackson and Matas Buzelis were mediocre at best. The 3- point-shooting contest remains the most competitive. The skills competition really needs a face lift. The shooting part needs to fit the concept of SKILL? This contest should be about a player's handle and passing, or if there must be shooting it should be floaters or reverse lay-ups. I'd love to see spin moves, crossovers and change of direction, etc. This would add a creativity component to the contest. Speed, yes, but creativity as well. The contest needs to get the fans up on their feet. Imagine, a Wembanyama vs Kyrie in a handle contest. See what I'm saying? Big Shout out to Sir Charles for donating $250,000.00 to the Glide Center. 

ETC

I've been critical in the past of the All Star game, particularly the game itself, as boring. I'm looking forward to the new format this afternoon. But my ETC (above) has to do with the negativity I'm reading from fan comments. Not just actual criticism, which can be constructive, but meanness. This kind of vitriol has increased since the Trump era began and is worse since his reelection. Trump has opened the Pandora's box of meanness and vitriol. It has got to stop, people. Let's be human again. Let's think kindness. One negative MAGA dude compared the NBA All Star Weekend to a CARNY side show. This guy needs to get a life. Instead of CARNY we should think CARNIVAL, like the Mardi Gras or Rio Carnivale in Brazil: music, dancing, spectacles, joy, fans and players mingling, good food, friendship, that's what the All Star Weekend is all about. As a nation, we need to jam all of Trump's meanness back into his Pandora's box, so the rest of us can live our lives positively. 

AIR McCLUNG

McClung pausing
on the last rung
of his air ladder
taps the rim
for good mesure
before he dunks
for fifty points.
And if my eyes 
didn't fail me 
stayed airborne
for a moment more
just for the legend.

HAS THE NBA GONE MADDOG & Etc

Is it only me, or has the TV sport honcho set sent out a memo to their sports commentators scream at the top of their lungs at every effective play executed, even if is not particularly spectacular? The Super Bowl was too much to bear. Any completed play over ten yards received an enthusiastic cheer that in years past might have earned a sincere well done and anything beyond ten yards--especially catches by wide-open receivers had me clutching my ears. 

Am I exaggerating? I don't believe so. It's been this way through the entire NFL and NBA season, commentators going  Ga-Ga over every frigging play--spectacular or not, and not is usually the case. Not that good plays are unimportant. But a simple back door pass to a cutter for a dunk does not require testing one's lungs to see how loud they can function. Every completed 15-yard pass a wide receiver snares and tiptoes out of bounds with is not the catch heard around the world. 

Where is the subtly and dignity of the play-by-play announcer gone, long time passing? Gone to Mad Dog everyone and Stephen A like everyone - with apologies to flowers and the seriousness of Pete Seeger's marvelous antiwar song. But, hey, is anybody out there in TV-sports-land just fed up with Stephen A and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo screaming over each other and other broadcasters who emulate their absolute nonsense. Can anybody understand what in the hell Shaq and Sir Charles are talking about when they're screaming at each other and Kenny is trying to get a point in that might have something to do with basketball and Ernie Johnston is simply looking silently silly. 

What's sad is that some very good announcers and color commentators who years ago would never have dreamed of screaming their lungs out for every dinky play are now on board with this Red Bull strategy. If you think I'm wrong, go back even two years and you won't find Chris Collingsworth and Mike Tirico shrieking at each other.   

I get it. This is theater of the absurd and sports is strutting on the stage. But I yearn for the savvy and dignity of Chick Hearn and Bill King in the NBA and Pat Summerall, Curt Gowdy & 49er Lon Simmons in the NFL and many more I listened to on radio and television. Even, as far as the talking heads on daily television like the Pat McAfee Show are concerned, I'd take even Howard Cosell over them any day. 

So I don't sound like a cranky old man, I'd like to shout out for Malika Anderson host of NBA Today and her color commentator crew: Richard Jefferson, Cheny Okwumke, & Kendrik Perkins for providing a show that is both enthusiastic and informative. I'm a huge fan of Big Perk with his very thick Texas drawl that does not interfere with a marvelous vocabulary and usage of the English language. Malika allows her crew to over-decibel, but brings them down to commentary level before they go too far. Bravo, the four do not carry on in the same histrionics of Stephen A and Mad Dog, And a shout out to Doris Burke, who is very knowledgeable, On occasion, however, Doris does get bitten by the screamer's bug. Come on folks most Dunks are dinks these days and threes are getting to be ho-hum. You can't make them more sensational by screaming them sensational.  

ETC

Warriors' news: so far so good, as Jimmy Butler has made life easier for Steph Curry, as Steph's point production has skyrocketed since Jimmy has come on board. It's best, of course,  not to get to enthusiastic, but better enthusiasm than depression, which was the state I was in watching poor Steph get double and triple-teamed all over the court.  

And what is the deal with the new owners of the Dallas Mavs? They had to sign off on the trade, which is leading to all sorts of conspiracy theories. Even IF Luka was not in shape, this trade of a 25-year-old offensive wizard for a 35-year-old AD with an injury history does NOT make any sense. Will we ever learn the true story? 

Coming up soon is the anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game, Here is a poem I wrote about The Dipper. 

WILT THE GLOBETROTTER   1958/59

                  For all the children of the world

 

Wilt the Stilt, his fancy tricks
were skyward done above the rim.
Kids in all the countries of the world
cheered the ball when from those heights
the ball dropped in. It was a miracle of flight
those balls and Wilt in uniform of stars and stripes.
And when he landed on the court
it was only for a visit that was short
before he bounded back into the air
of the arena, ball in hand, and waved hello
to the children of the world below: hello, hello!
I’m Wilt the Stilt, I Dipper dunk, I’m here for you
to have some fun & learn with all my pals
The meadow lark, the Goose and Marques
Haynes who dribbles with his forehead through
the gap between my legs set wide apart.
Then sing for us Sweet Georgia Brown
as we travel from town to town, the clowns
of basketball and joy. Globetrotter of the heart.