Five Free Time Friday Basketball Thoughts: Who's on Holidays
So it's been a great week thus far. Love the holidays and hanging out with my beautiful wife. Being a teacher, it also means some time off from the classroom and more time for watching. So here goes:
1. You want them to wear T-Shirts?
Someone should have lost their job over the Christmas day jerseys. They are just T-Shirts; nothing more, nothing less. This may have been the worst decision since Coke came out with the new Coke back in the 80's. Bad NBA fashion people, bad! With the problems the league is presently trying to straighten out and the transition to a new commissioner, who thought the jersey needed to be changed? It was a failed attempt to make money and the inventors should fail to be employed.
2. Christmas basketball, Yikes?
The matchups looked intriguing but flopped for the most
part. This was a lot of bad luck and little foresight. The Clippers-Golden State
game was a great one but otherwise, nothing. It adds to an already great day,
but this year it didn't work out. It also must be tough on the players and
their families. Here's to hoping Indiana makes the cut next year and ESPN figures out how to identify Roy Hibbert. (One ofr my new favorite players!)
3. Sportsnet Magazine: Stephen Curry and his Toronto Connection
In the December 30th issue of Sportsnet Magazine, there is an article outlining Stephen Curry's year playing basketball in the Toronto area. It outlines his relationship with the Queensway coach James Lackey and how they stay in contact to this very day. James describes Stephen as a great player but an even greater person. I've known James since my early days in Toronto and he would be a great judge of character. He helped me learn the meaning of class and never allowed winning to be more important than integrity. Stephen would be wise to hold onto this relationship.
It also opened my eyes to Sportsnet Magazine itself. As a kid, I loved reading Sports Illustrated and their in-depth articles. Not the one paragraph or one page stuff with the size 16 font, instead the lengthy analysis or the well researched essay. Dave Zarum writes a great piece that is more than just fluff. The crew at Sportsnet may be onto something.
4. Knicks want to Bully Celtics to get Rondo.
This will only end badly for New York. Oh it might look good on the surface but in the end, it will leave fans wondering why they even follow this mess. Rondo is a great player but with the mix they have in New York, the inmates will be taking over soon. Actually, with James Dolan at the helm, this has already happened.
My Prediction:
To Boston To New York
T Chandler Rondo
R. Felton (possible amnesty) G Wallace (Ainge will insist)
T Hardaway or Shumpert
Plus the next Draft Pick New York can Trade
Boston then ships Chandler to LA Clippers as a favor to Doc and gets more assets back. (Yes, I am a Celtic fan.)
5. Lebron Wins AP Athlete of the Year
During the NBA finals there was a very scary moment for the rest of basketball, San Antonio let Lebron shoot and he started to make shots. He now believes he can make shots and that not only makes him the best player in the game but the most dangerous player in the game! He joins Larry Bird and Michael Jordan as the only basketball player to win this award; that's some good company.
With a great slate of games on the tely tonight, I know where I will be; Happy holidays and happy watching.
