Let's Talk Hoops

Morning, kids...been a while since I have talked hoops to ya...the Facebook remark from the KBZY (Salem local AM Station) sports jockey, Mark Gilman...got me a thinking back when...I did the color (?) analyzing for 4 seasons with him...kept me in the game while I was retired...ended up being an interim for me, as I went back into coaching after that gig...for another 4 year stint with the Duck guru, Scott Cross...geez, look at me dropping names...BTW, these two are the best in the biz at what they do, er did...I digress...

The surging abilities of more and more ladies at the game, is terrific...for such a long time, it was Tennessee and then, UConn...that absolutely dominated the collegiate ranks...and very little competition...now, that is gone...there are strong teams all over the land...and especially in the west...another one of those, 'used to be' things...Stanford was and has always been the team out here...NOW...we are talking another chapter...UO, OSU, UCLA, and the Arizona teams have got in the mix...with Stanford...that is 6 reps from the west coast...cool...and, it is very good basketball...team play...

The guys...this season in particular...is as balanced as I have seen....like forever...is there a true number 1?...some are saying the little college up in Spokane, Gonzaga...maybe...so, like everyone has a shot right now...I mean everyone...even the team down here, SDSU...sporting a perfect 18-0 record...the only D-1 team in the land with such a mark...can they go undefeated?...c'mon, near impossible...but, think about that...that is relatively two smaller market teams that are near the top of the heap...remarkable...

NBA...you may not like what I have to say about this...but, it is a mess...an absolute MESS!...so many franchises in a can't win situation...the numbers are down as to pixel viewing...why?...the rich have gotten richer....hmmm, remind you of what is going on in the biz field of the country?...yup...the money teams can afford the better players...and that's where they land...hey, that's only part of it...

The play...is no longer team oriented...it's pick and roll, or pop...drive and dish to a dude planted on the perimeter, and then launch the 3 ball...GONE...is the beauty of the patterns...the fast breaks...the movement of the body and the ball...GONE...and, what about the resting of the stars on back to back games?...the reserves don't do this...ha ha, course they rarely play...listen, the guys get paid exorbitant salaries now...the seats to watch these blokes are outrageous...and the stars may not be playing that nite...

If...the goal is to keep the dudes rested...then, shorten the regular season...does a collegiate take a game off?...right...then, sure...go from 82 to 54...wouldn't have to do back to back...there you go...maybe the number could or should be 64...listen, all involved are making big bucks...

In particular...the Dallas Mavericks hosted the Portland Blazers last eve on National TV...the Mavs have a great shooter in a 20 yr old, Luka Doncic...and the match was to be him against the PDX's Dame Lillard...Dallas won...but, the real diff was that Doncic came off of screens unguarded...and plopped in 8 3's...and Dame had to fight double teams all night...think Portland could figure this out?...even, the analysts were commenting about the lack of coaching...c'mon...

So, you who want more out of me...like the politics crap of the day...I needed a break...so, I don't get too worked up...the lines are being drawn...the Repub Senators and their leader in the White House have been in repeated meetings...to muster up the master plan of acquittal...think there is some bullying thrown about?...threatening the lack of Repub money for re-election if they do the unthinkable, and vote against him...so much for the hand on the Bible and vow to be impartial...stop it Horse, let's just watch our government work as it shall....