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NBA, NCAA, Euro
League, ...all here at
BasslineSpin.com October 2, 2006 …”NBA Training Camps opened
today” - yet in my local Sacramento
Bee, there is nothing in the sports page but a single line saying just that.
How in the world can a newspaper like the Bee fail to have a Kings story on
such a day? Yes, there was a front-page story about the ‘arena ballot
measures’ but nothing about the players, coaches, or GM. Yes, the Bee did a
“Training Camp” story yesterday with capsules of each camper but that was
yesterday’s reading. I’ve said it before—any media outlet in Sacramento
should cover the Kings every day. Okay—every other day in August. Sac is a
one team town. Sac is a one newspaper town. We want to know who was looking
good at Basketball Town—where informal workouts often take place. I want
training camp rosters from every NBA city. ...Also—I AM one that feels the
Bee has covered the arena proposal in a negative fashion. References to the Maloof family usually accompanies the words
‘billionaire’ or ‘arena giveaway’. Doesn’t anyone remember what it was like
to have nothing major league in the 916? Has every Sacramentan forgotten how
our city was the laughing stock of the NBA? Did you forget about when the
late trainer Bill Jones couldn’t
pay hotel bills because the ownership was so poor. I certainly remember when
the late Derrick Dickey and
someone I know very well were let go due to a big budget slash in the
television & radio department. That was during the Jim Thomas era of losing. The Maloofs have
spoiled too many into thinking the success will always be there. They are
great professional sports owners. ...Maybe it’s not cool to dream anymore. I
can envision the old railyards as a thriving entertainment destination. With
the area’s mild weather - there could be some seriously fun and beautiful
times to be had. However, what my brain sees probably happening is this; the
arena measure loses. The Kings have a losing season. Apathy sets in. The
Kings leave Sacramento for Vegas, not Anaheim. ...It’s gonna get ugly folks.
Sacramento is going to lose the Kings and the Bee is going to lose
advertising income and readership when it happens. ...Someone tell every
sideline reporter in the world that they do not need to say “Back to you
guys”. Simply put a period on your report—or include the ‘guys’ in your
conversation. For example—your last sentence is “Dick and Hubie - Popovich also
implored his players to play ‘off’ Bonzi Wells, giving him the jumper but not the
drive.” September 30, 2006 ...
Guillermo Diaz from
Miami—who was drafted by the Clippers—is going to play his ball in Prague
this season. ...North Carolina’s Jawad Williams will be in the Clipps training camp.
...Not sure what happened but Mike Gansey - a tough rookie free-agent was
already waived by Miami. ...Matt Barnes is in
the Warriors camp. He belongs in the NBA. September 28, 2006 …The best free agents left out there
are Keith Van Horn, Qyntel Woods, Anthony Roberson, Tony Bobbit, Lamond Murray, Melvin Ely, and Matt Barnes. ...I am liking the Houston Rockets
off-season moves. Landing Bonzi Wells on top
of Shane Battier means
that McGrady and Yao have some serious help. David Wesley is finally gone and that is addition
too. Now it is time for Jeff Van Gundy to
pull back and let these guys play. No one has ever made so much sense and
been so logical as a hoops TV analyst.
But as a head coach Van Gundy’s teams have all been stifled
offensively. Maybe so much preaching about ‘good shots’ vs. ‘bad shots’ makes
his players afraid to make a mistake. Basketball is too free flowing to have
that fear. The biggest issue as I see it for Houston is, who will handle the
ball? Can Rafer Alston lead
this crew to the promised land? ...The Indiana Pacers are younger this year
with Scot Pollard, and Anthony Johnson in Cleveland and Dallas respectively.
David Harrison should
inherit the minutes Pollard had, and Marquis Daniels will take Johnson’s spot. ...33 days
until NBA opening night. ...The Lakers bench should be bolstered this season
by Maurice Evans, and Shammond Williams. ...I am a big fan of the Bucks
moves in getting Steve Blake from Portland, and getting
new
uniforms! The
Bucks point guard duties should be well maintained by either Blake, Mo Williams, or Charlie Bell. |