Luke Walton & 2015/16 Playoffs

Congratulations to Luke Walton, the new coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. The son of one of the finest basketball minds in the history of the game, Luke take those inherited genes and do a smashing job for the Lakers. Of course the Warriors will beat the Walton led Lakers in the 2018/19 Western Conference Championship. Sorry, Luke, my good thoughts for you can only go so far.

Is it agonizing watching pro basketball players who can't shoot free-throws, or what? Air-balls by DeAndre Jordan, the spastic shooting form of Mason Plumlee (okay they went in in clutch time) that often propels the ball in such a straight line that were it to continue it's flight beyond rim and backboard might find its way to China. Let's not worry any longer about Howard. The Warriors mercifully put an end to his horrendous performance on the line, not to mention other horrendous parts of his game. How can it be that Howard has not added at least one new skill set to his game since entering the NBA? I'll take into consideration any reasonable answer that includes laziness.

I'm cheering for the Charlotte Hornets because I always wanted to be like Mike. And there's my Bay Area homeboy, Jeremy Lin resurrecting his career. But I do indeed admire Dwayne Wade, and was hoping to see a Miami vs Cav Eastern Finals, Wade defeating the Cavs, in order to satisfy my notion that irony is one of the principals that govern the world.

I'm pulling for the Casey led Toronto Raptors to overcome their prior poor playoff performances, and because I like Canada where my mother lived close to the city of Regina. Beautiful country, lovely people, and a universal health coverage..

San Antonio is my favorite against the Oklahoma Thunder. I'm still pissed how the Thunder owner stole the team away from Seattle. I see where the there's going to be a vote to free up land for a new arena. Go Sonics.  However, I wouldn't be surprised if the Thunder upsets the Spurs. The Thunder is so athletic, if they get a hot streak at just the right time, they could do it. Humm???

The Warriors, of course, are my guys. The Dubs are planning to beat the Blazers with or without Steph. They will. Short sentence, short series.

Coaching possibilities for the Kings. I'm not a huge fan of Mark Jackson, but of all the candidates available, he is the one that I believe can get DeMarcus Cousins under control, and persuade the team to play defense. He has charisma and rep. He's a communicator. As far as his ministerial mind-set, much of which probably is authentic (given a few glitches of hypocrisy), the minister-thing does create a certain kind of authority, that especially young people are drawn to, if not entirely out of belief, then out of tradition.

Nate McMillon would be another strong choice. He has a record of success. But does he have the cajones to stand up to Cousins? None of the other possible candidates do. Messina? Maybe. But why would he come here from San Antonio for a big headache?

I'm still on an old fashioned poems-about-sports kick. You might not consider the following little poem about sports, but think about it some after you read it. Think about the title.

Life in Motion   by Wallace Stevens

In Oklahoma,
Bonnie and Josie,
Dressed in calico,
Danced around a stump.
They cried,
"Ohoyaho,
Ohoo.". . .
Celebrating the marriage 
Of flesh and air.

.

A Few Cranky Thoughts

It's been voiced and noted by sports writers, talking head, and bloggers that the Warriors need Steph Curry. Well, DUH! And then go on to point out that the team is just another playoff team. Well, DUH! You take Michael Jordan off the Bulls? I'm sure Scotty Pippen would have had a choice response to said comments.

The Warriors lost to The Beard's Rockets because they played poorly, not because Steph Curry was on the bench. If they'd have played the whole game the way they played in the fourth quarter, there would have been no contest. As it was, they should have won. How that ref missed Hardin's push off is beyond me.

In this mornings' Sacramento Bee sports page there was an article in which John Calipari said that Cousin was no problem, no problem at all in One and Done U. Maybe so, but he's been a migraine in for the Kings. Since when must a player have to bond with a coach. A baby must bond with his mother and father. That's it. You play your best. You stay in the best shape you can be. You do not diss your teammates, or yell at your coach in front of an arena of fans. Mike Malone was a fine coach, granted. Was there a true bonding between the two. I doubt it. Would Cousin's bonding with him have lasted a full year? My guess is, no. For the very simply reason that DeMarcus Cousin's is an immature, self-centered young man. He may or may not ever mature.

Has anyone noticed a Ciroc Vodka ad that comes on regularly during NBA playoff games that ask viewers to Live Life Responsibly while showing a bunch of drunks living life irresponsibly?  I'm just asking. In Russia, the birthplace of Vodka, you are considered an alcoholic (piani) if you drink vodka without eating food along with the drink.

I've been on an "Oldies but Goodies" poetry search, and found this lovely, touching poem about a father teaching his daughter how to swim.

First Lesson   By Philip Booth

Lie back, daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you.Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A dead-
man's float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, when you tire on the long thrash
to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.