MY TWO CENTS WORTH ABOUT LEBRON & ETC

 My wife's grandson, John Clark, a knowledgeable NBA fan has a theory that the reason LeBron will not divulge the team he'll play for is that he's waiting to see if the Warriors can pull off acquiring Anthony Davis. Davis can earn a max contract from his present team the Washington Wizards. Hard to turn something like that down, right. However, as John states, a possibility if he can get a similar contract with the Warriors and play with his friends and generational stars: LeBron, Dryamond Green, Steph Curry, and Al Horford. How does this happen? I quiz the whiz kid of basketball. With a very large question mark. John, who has lots of ideas about sports, responded with the following: The Warriors are going to trade their first round draft choice, Yaxel Longenborg, Jimmy Butler, and three-year point guard, Brandin Podzienski for AD. I almost fainted. I'm a huge fan of Yaxel, and feel he is a future NBA power-forward superstar. Butler,, when healthy is a glue-guy force and the Podz is finally showing his promise. Gad, I think. John may be right. 

On the other hand. (There always is, isn't there?) My feeling is LeBron will go to the team that will provide him the best chance to win one more championship ring, which means either the Heat or the 76ers, Why not Clevland? Ok, there's the unbroken circle theory, the notion he'd like to end his career where he started. However, I'm reasonably sure LeBRon know his addition to the Cavs will not guarantee an NBA championship. So, I'm guessing the Cavs are out of the running. 

Back to the Warroprs. If the Warriors could make such a trade with the Wiz to get AD, would that be the best chance LeBron has of going out as an NBA Champ? Let's consider the two more obvious choices first, the Heat  and the 76ers. I'm don't believe the Heat, even with the acquistion of Giannis Antetacoupo is a considerationn. The Heat do not have the bench strengh, having given up too much to get Giannis. The 76ers renaubm and with the addition of Jalen Brown they look mighty tough. Yet, how healthy can Joel Embid be? If he goes down, the 76ers can not defeat the Knichs. There goes Lebrons's next ring. There are always IFs, Right? 

Even so, the 76ers are the best choice for LeBron if he's ring chasing. The Warriors come in second. But if, and it's a big, IF AD joins the Dubs, LeBron can go out with his Olympic Gold-Winning friends, and that could be a huge moviivating factor. 

John, you may be right, but, oh, boy, will I hate giving up Yaxel.

ETC: 

Absolutely loved hearing how the crowd at the World Cup Finals booed our evil president. What a total shumck he is and his fatnesss is such an awful model for our youngsters. MacDonalds and fries indeed. He should be ashamed. But he has no shame. 

As for the Cup, Spain dominated. I was pulling for Messi to retire a winner, but not unhappy with the Spanish victory. My daughter Megan and family were in Granada, Spain where they have freinds whenn the game was played. It was tapas until dawn, Megan said of the city that went crazy with the vitory. Ole! 

I'm writing a book of Haiku called Haiku From Rehab about my recovering from Congestive Heart Failure, so Haiku are on my mind. Her's one about the World Cup Finals.

The Argentine goalie

Stretches for his last save

Weep for him 

I'm 

SEASON DONE, KNICKS RULE. NOW THE FUN BEGINS

 i loved the Knicks victory. After 53 years scine Red Holtsman teams sat atop the mountain, Mike Bronn joined him. Jalen Brunson, the fire plug point gurard will join Walt Frazier as one of the Knicks two best guards ever. And, what can I say about the excellent and consistent performance of OG Annoby? It's you and Dave Debushere. The '26 Knicks will still have to wind one more championship to tie the '70d Knicks teams of Willis Reed and Bill Bradly and Earl the Pear, and Dr. Dick Barnett. 

Then came the '26 draft, a favorite TV performance of ming, loving the whole family experience and fan excitingment as the future NBA players are chosen, one, two, three, and in this year's draft, four, As Caleb ____could easily have been in the top three picks. I have no quarell that the Wiz selected AJ Dybansa numero uno, but I would have selected Cam Boozer if it had been up to me. Cam Boozer is instant help, no breakning in period, not much learning curve for the big stretch two way four. Skip to my two teams, Warriors first. Hurrah for their choice of Yaxel Longenberg, another player like Boozer who'll step right in and help from the get go at the stretch four position. Warriors got a break, and this time didn't get suduced by young age upside nonesense. Yaxel, at 23, is a grown man. 

What to say about the Kings, Sacramento's team. It's the city in which I live, so I support, but it's tough to suport them when they've made so many bad decisions. Not since _______teams have the Kings been able to put together much in the way of a sustained competive season. Coach Mike Brown's first season, then they fire Mile Brown. Go figure. It serves owner Vivak Ranadive right that he had to watch Coach Mike lift the O'brian Trophy over his head. At draft choice 6, the Kings selected Akuff, one hell of a shooter, I've heard. But my research of him is that he has real fifficulty playing defense. I mean huge negative stats. So, will this work for the Kings?

Antetocoupo Trade: The Heat and the Buucks worked out a deat that make sense for both teams. Heat get the Greek super star and Bobby Portis, one of my favorite uder the radar plaers. The Bucks get Ware with lots of upside in the middle, Hero and _____ and a bunch of draft choices. I'm not as certain the Antetcoumpo is qutie a game chnnger that Pat Riely believes. First, comes health. He's had injuries these last two years. Second, I think teams have figured out better ways to guard that slash down the paint that makee Antetecoupo so feared. No, he can't really be stopped at full speed, but if can get him to miss a few more shot, you've created an advantage. And I'm not sure about the Abedayo fit. But we'll see. 

Randle goes to the Nets and Claxton goes to the Timberwolves. Shaz Reed goes the the Hornets, Lonzo  Ball goes to the TWolves. Are we having fun yet? I say, super move for the Hornets. Decent shore-up at the post for the TWolves. But, they overpaid Dosumo, a guard, and now must deal with a heafty Ball contract. They'll miss the hell out of Shaz, another one of my favorite sort of under the radar players. The Wolves have lost two of their best stretch 4s. They need to do something there. Meanwhile the Hornets, with the addition of Reed have really helped themselves. 

Isaihh Joe to th Piston for Stewart makes sense for both teams. Joe can shoot threes of the bounce. So now they have Robinson and Joe to spred the court. 

Thinking of Wembanyama, here's a haiku about the young giant.

Think of a giraffe 

How long-egged and long neck it lopes

To the basket

A WRONG PREDICTION LEADS TO AMAZING NBA FINALS

  Prediction; OKC wins at home. But, I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see Wembanyama playing in the MSG in front of those crazy NYC fans. Nothing like playing in the Madison Square Garden. Such fond memories for me. One story: Warriors playing vs Knicks. Wilt and I are walking from our hotel to the arena. Back then, the Old Garden only a couple of blocks away. As we approached the corner, Wilt says to me, "Tom, watch this." I did. We were passing a tavern, Guys had seen us and were staring out the window. Wilt began limping. Half the guys disappeared from the window. I asked Wilt what that was all about. He told me the minute they saw him limping they were fighting for a telephone to change their bets. MSG and afterward an Italian dinner at Mama Leone's. Those were the days. Got lots more on my mind, but I'm off to listen to the NBC talking heads. 

  Spurs lost two at home and Knicks fans were cooling champagne in their fridges visualizing a four- game sweep, but the Spurs came roaring back in the first game of the garden, and still my Blog remained unattended. Chalk it up to being 87 years old, dare I say, failing memory. Ah, well! So, here I am writing about the 4th game of the NBA Finals and OG Anunoby's tip-in scored off a last second offensive rebound for the, arguably, best comeback victory in NBA History. And the best Knicks story since Willis Reed hobbled onto the court in 1975 to lead his team to victory over Wilt Chamberlain and the Lakers. 

  I'd played in a bunch of games in my ten-year career in the NBA that seemed like a miracle to me. But this one felt like the Knicks victory was right out of an Our Lady of Lourdes storybook. By now, sports writers have analyzed the game ad nauseum, so I'll limit my thoughts to the two coaches: Mitch Johnson of the Spurs and Mike Brown of the Knicks. Johnson's mistake and Brown's smarts had everything to do with the outcome of the fourth game. The Spurs' three point shooting had been the reason they were killing the Knicks in the first half. However, in the second half the young Spurs went cold from the three point line. 

  Even so, they'd fallen in love with the Three and continued shooting from deep. Coach Johnson failed to recognize that, and call a timeout to admonish his team to settle down and attack the rim. If he'd done that in a timely fashion, it's highly possible that the Knicks would not have been able to make the comeback they did. Okay, young Spurs, young head coach, mistakes happen. What bothers me is that in the post-game interviews and in all the subsequent talk shows Coach Johnson didn't take responsibility for that crucial error. This loss was on him. Pure and simple. You own up to mistakes or you "own down." 

  As for Coach Mike Brown: At the beginning of the second half, Brown started Jose Alvarado in the back court with Jalen Brunson a very savvy move to take the pressure off Brunson always having to bring the ball up. The insertion of Alvarado, a natural point guard, also helped the Knicks to spread the court, which allowed for much better spacing, and, in my opinion, helped revitalize Jalen Brunson's game. Brunson went off and the Knicks clawed their way back in. 

  But the MVP of that Knicks victory belongs to OG Anunoby Jr. whose consistent play kept the Knicks from complete annihilation in the first half and his timely baskets throughout the second half joined Brunson's barrage to lead the Knicks to that final split-second heroic tip-in off an offensive rebound to win the game. 

  For those who don't know, OG stands for his full African first name, Ogugua, which is of Igbo origin and means God's Comfort or One Who Brings Peace to his People. The Igbo are the largest tribal group in the West African country of Nigeria and are located mostly in the south-west of that nation. I have met many Igbo during my trips coaching in West Africa, and they are a dignified and handsome people. 

  Did OG bring the Knicks fans peace? Not the way they were rocking on the court after the game. I wonder if there are some still rocking, such was the crazed response to the victory. But OG did bring them comfort. 

Down three to one, the young Spurs go back to San Antonio for game five and a chance to regain homecourt advantage, a tall order. Few NBA teams come back to win after being down 3 to 1. Oh, I do love these young Spurs. And Wemby truly has a skyscraper upside. I believe they'll win the fifth game and force the Knicks to win in NYC at MSG. I predict Knicks the Champs in Six. I think Taylor Swift, a Knicks' fan, would agree with me.

Haiku for OG    

OG flies like a bird.
All the Knicks fans on their feet
Tips the ball into his nest

       by Tom Meschery

AS THE PLAYOFFS GO AND AMAZON PRIME PLAYOFF PRODUCTION TANKS

 Let me get it out of the way. Amazon Prime Playoff production sucks big time. fans, including yours truly, continue to be furious over the numerous technical difficulties we encountered trying to watch games: entire section disappearances, frozen screens, loss of sound, weird voice overs, etc. etc. You'd think a company as monstrously rich as Amazon could have put together a better product. I only hope that the NBA has the capacity to ding Amazon financially for such a failed production. Hit Bezos in his greedy little heart. 

Upward and onward: The Spurs vs the Thunder is going to be one very intriguing matchup. Wemby vs Holmgren could turn into a battle channeling the historic giant matchups of Russell vs Chamberlain, Jabbar vs Walton, and Shaq vs Patrick Ewing. What interests me most about the OKC/San Antonio playoffs depends on whether  the Spurs youngsters can handle the pressure of the champion Thunder players. This includes Wemby, but I'm focusing more on the rest of the young crew: Stephon Castle, Dylon Harper and Julian Champagnie. If the babies can play well, I wouldn't be surprised if there's an upset. 

So, what's up with the Cavs vs the Pistons. I'm pulling for the Pistons because I recall like JB Bickerstaff and his father Bernie who played in the WCC my college league. However, it is no secret by now that ))) Duren has to come out of hiding for tomorrows final game seven in order for the Pistons to win. Drummond has all the tools, but for reasons unknown has pretty much disappeared. Thank God for Paul Reed. Wouldn't the 76ers love to have this dude back instead of Drummond's over the hill game. 

While the Knicks watch, waiting for the winner. The Knicks game has come together at the perfect time. OG will be back healthy and Karl Anthony Towns is playing like he wants to be a two-way player for once in his life. The recent pick up of Jose Alvarado was a stroke of genius. Alvarado is one tough in your face hombre point guard. He adds just the right amount of  increased pepper which combined with Josh Hart's defensive salsa that is scary. And how much praise is there that defines Jalen  Brunson? I've been around the game a long time, and I can't think of a two-way point guard at barely six feet who produces at such an All Star level.  Of course he is super strong and build low to the ground like a bull- dog that he does on occasion resemble. 

Do I want the Knicks to win the East? I have no real dog in the fight. I like Mike Brown and if he wins it would be a great up yours to the Kings for how they treated him. But, I'm not a big fan of the Knicks owner, Dolan who seems by all accounts of him I've read to have an over-inflated ego. I do very much like the idea that the East championship would be played by two of the original NBA teams from those good old days when I played. And there is definitely something Old School about both teams. 

                                                          LITERATURE

No Tip of he Pen toasay. But I did send of the 4rth in my Brovelli Brother's murder mystery series to my publisher. I sent the synoposis and they do want to publish the book. So all's good at least until I read the contract. So, is there a tip in this? Yes. Smal presses for genre type novels can be a solution for emerging writers. Don't expect advances like you would from the bid dogs in NYC, but you should be able to get a more generousl net cut of profits and start earning money faster. 

                                                              lIFE 

This coming November election may be the most important election since the civil war days to save our country'rs Democracy and Constitution. We need both house and senate to put a stop to Donald Trump.

A little nostalgia, a poem I wrote for one of my first basketball heroes. 

FRANK “APPLES” KUDELKA  (1925-1993)

Where did the NBA begin?
For me, with Apples, a sobriquet
For delicious hoops.
 
I was a boy of ten. He hangs
in the branches of my memory

He was to be admired, copied, idiloized,

his sweeet shot, his air. What  better way

to sepend an afternoon watching him hoop

learning and dreaming.   

Julian Champanie 

A FEW EARLY OBSERVATIONS OF THE 2026 PLAYOFFS

 After leaving everything that their bodies could give on the court defeating the Clippers to make it to the second round of the Playin, the Dubs had nothing left in their collective tanks and lost to a highly motivated, younger and more agressive Suns. So starts the off season for the Warriors. If the management and ownership continues to be determined to give Step Curry and Draymond another chance at a title, they better have a terrific plan. Curry, Green, and Butler make up the bulk of the Warriors payfoll. So, how do the Warriors go about finding and paying for the kind of player they need to accomplish their goal? Porzinis is a free agent, but it's certainly reasonable to wonder if his on-gong health issues preclude the Warriors signing him to a new contract. Furthermore, don't believe it's NOT LOGICAL to count of Butler and Moody to be 100 percent next season. That said, what can Curry and Green expect next season? Another Play In Purgatory. I wish I didn't hav eto say it, but that's what is looks like to me. There is a first round draft choic to consdier, But at pick around #14 or so, will there be a game changer left? A soldid player, yes, but probably not a game changer. Moe, I'd select Yaxel Longenber from the Michian if he was available. 

Okay, enough of the Warriors. Biting my tongue, I'm pulling for the LA Lakers. The reason is simple; the Lakers are the undergog and pulled off a terrific win over the Rockets in Houston. That the Lakers were without Doncic and Reeves adds to the HOO RAH lever of that upset. Got to hand it to Lebron. Instead of trying to make up for the lack of scorrying by Doncic and Reeves'a absence, he contentrated on assisting his teamates. The accuracy of his passes made it possible for the rest of his team to catch the ball in the flow for good looks. 

Congrats to BJ Bickerstaff for winning Coach of the Year. I was sorrry to see the Pistons go down agaisnt Orlands, but I have no dog in thea fight. Orlanda has a wonderful coach and some terrific players. Duren must give the Pistons a better game in the next game. 

Denver and TWolves will be an interessting series. Denver won well if not convincinly. Boston is a shoe in for the Finals in the East in my opinion. Jayson Tatum is playing like a true PRO. Hawks run offense can't match the Knicks over all D game. But, I like the young Hawks. Jalen Johnston can't disappear in the fourth. 

                                                    TIP OF THE PEN

Writer's fatigue: Be careful you don't write too long. You are the only one who can judge how tired you are. Wriging when tired is a waste of time. I write only in the morning, And occasionaly a little editing in the evening. In addition, it is wise to carefully read through what you wrote in the final half hour of work. That's usually where you'll find the most mistaakes. 

                                                              LIFE 

Shout out for Pope Leo for hosting Villanova and Nortre Dame basketball teams to start next years NCAA basketball season. Love the guys who dressed up as Pope Leo at a recent Whie Sox game. The Pope is Chicago rasised and a big White Sox fan. It's fun to talk about fun stuff and not about the ridiculous man in the White House. 

                                                           LITURTURE

With the playoffs starting and the intensity level arching into the rafters, I thought this little tough poem about my little tough high school coach would be appropriate. 

BEN NEFF  

Coach, I loved you. I owe my fundamentals
to you. I do not hold it against you
that you called me a sonovabitch and
that you questioned what I was good for
and that your anger wound up as spit in my face.
Those of us who could withstand your anger
learned how to play the game of basketball
so well that we carried it with us into college
and me into the pros. But I remember a boy
trying out for the team you frightened badly,
who ran and you chased him and he swung
Up in to the standard and sat like a bird
perched above the hoop crying while you
threw basketballs at him, one after the other,
and the rest of us, thinking it was funny,
fed you the balls, throwing nice crisp
two-handed chest passes just the way
you taught us, fingers straight, thumbs down. 

 Wolverines if he was availbale