If you have been reading my blog, you've noticed I shut down about the same time the NBA shut down. I could have started up again for the Orlando Bubble, but I didn't. No logical reason why I didn't. I watched the games, of course, but the ambiance depressed me. I began to hate the virtual one dimensional fans. Started having cardboard nightmares. Yes, the NBA did the best they could, and there was no getting around it, the Lakers were the best team, although if Miami\had one more big to guard the Lakers' bigs, especially AD, the outcome would have been different. To me, the Heat were much more fun to watch. The difference being sort of like watching leopards and elephants. LeBron at his age is a miracle, but I'd still take MJ over him to build a team around. Monsieur Le Bron just doesn't possess the same finesse as Jordan.
A few Bubble takeaways: Until Antetekumpo learns to shoot an effective 3 ball, championships will continue to elude the Bucks. What would it take for The Greek Freak in his present non-shooting state to win an NBA Championship? Place him on the Warriors with Steph and Klay or any team with such stratospheric 3 point shooters to open up the middle. At the moment there are none on the Bucks. So look for 3 point shooting teams with tons of cap space to go hunting for the Greek at the end of the season. He'd be wise not to sign the max with the Bucks and wait to see who's bidding.
The Suns demonstrated "watch out for us" next season. I believe Paul will help. He was a total pro with the Thunder. He'll give the young Suns some real stability.
The Clippers demonstrated they blew up their chemistry from the previous year by adding Kawhi and George, but didn't do the work in the lab to find the right formula, so they looked always out of sinc.
Why don't I like Jocic? It's body language, I suspect, kind of like do I really have to have energy all the time? And what's with the runny nose? Would the Warriors love to have him? The way he passess, I got to give him that. Curry would average 50 a game. Ok, so Jocic is mixed metaphor.
Now for the coming season, not in any particular order. Teams now in training camp.
Awful news about Klay. Strong character/will power/he'll be back. A coup for GM Myers getting Oubre as the next best player for the Dubs to replace Klay, and when Klay comes back, hey, why not make this long athletic defense-minded dude a continuing part of the roster? Wannamaker is less known but a gem. He'll surprise. Let's hope Looney has a durable year for once. He's capable until the kid gets his feet wet and takes over.
If you're worried about Toronto losing Gasol and Ibaka, they maybe stronger with the dudes they picked up to replace them. More pounding/less finesse is not always so bad with their surrounding cast.
Boston helped themselves some with the Cavs' Thompson. I was hoping the Heat would have signed him. Just what they needed for paint strength.
Why the Heat paid Myers Leanard big bucks, (unless it's not guaranteed) violates my sense of fairness.
Atlanta might turn out to be the surprise team this coming season in the East. Bogdanovic was a heck of a pickup. I can see an effective tandem at the one and two. Confident they'll sort out the paint log-jam.
The Nets. It will be the Kyrie-Durant show. Or should that be visa-versa? Consider the importance of team chemistry in this case. Will they run into the same problem as the Clippers? The Nets core players were/are not too bad. K and D will eat up a lot of touches. See what I mean? I like Nash at the helm. I was sorry they hired D'Antoni. His we'll outscore you philosophy works for season, sucks for playoffs. Man doesn't learn. But maybe as an assistant he can stay focused on the offense without screwing up the total team cosmos.
Recent trade of Westbrook - not my favorite player - but got to come to his defense. The Wiz will be a better team with him than with Wall. No matter what, teams must collapse on Westbrook when he penetrates. Bertrans and Beal should be excited. Dunkers (NBA Samuri) should be poised to be fed. That is, if Westbrook takes this trade as a chance to na-na his nay-sayers. I've never thought of Russell as an underdog, but in this case I'm pulling for him.
Utah and Denver a little bit better but will it be enough. Nuggets will miss Plumlee. Plumlee blocks and dunks and runs the floor. Should have signed him.
That's it for NBA for the time being. Now for life;
As athletes we're taught by our coaches the importance of being good sports. If we lose, not to pout, to shake our opponents' hands. We don't have to like losing, but we should never act like a loser. Enter "oh woe is me" Donald Trump. What a frigging crybaby. Obviously he was never an athlete. Cry babies don't cut it. I bet he cheats at golf.
2,841 PERSONAL FOULS By Tom Meschery
Even at the age of 82,
when I should know better,
the thought of dying sill pisses me off.
I feel as if I've just been called
for a foul I didn't commit.
I was reading the sports page. Years of fouls
I didn't deserve came back. The unfairness.
Refs missing the elbow that hit me,
but seeing the one I threw to even the score.
This morning didn't I wake up to sunlight
and a warm breeze? Didn't my wife
poke her head into the office
to tell me she loved me? I flavor
my coffee with honey that is sweet as life.
I should live a little longer.
