Basketball

• Gene Therapy: March is My Type of Madness!

  Mar 20, 2022 Gene Clemons 0 Comments

  I love football. As a player, coach, and writer, football has always meant so much to me. It has opened doors that I never knew were there. I am forever grateful and indebted to the game. But, anyone who really knows me, they know that I am in love with basketball. As a kid growing up in inner city Chicago, the court was the sanctuary from all of the chaos (mostly). Throughout the years, basketball has remained a constant in my life. I grew up a Carolina Tar Heels fan. I wore #15 because of Reidel Anthony in football and Vince Carter in basketball. For anyone who loves hoop, the NCAA tournament is Christmas. It's the most wonderful time of the year. The tournament encapsulates everything great about sports. It's the convergence of all classes and all abilities where the outcome is simply based on what happens between the lines. We have seen impossible comebacks and massive upsets. Anything is possible during the madness of March. So what makes it great? 

   

  Cinderella

   

  The most obvious reason the tournament is beloved by hard core basketball fans and novice is because is the Cinderella factor. The team who is winning despite not having the same resources or talent of other schools. 11, 12, and 13 seeds have been the prime seeds to upset an opponent seeded higher. In that process we learn so much about the team, the players, the coach and the community. Many of these teams come from conferences with a single NCAA bid. So if they don't win their conference tournament, they won't receive an at large bid (an invitation to join the tournament without an automatic bid). There are teams in these mid major conferences that will have a fantastic season where they only lose a few games, get to their conference tournament and get upset by a team with a .500 record.  Their dreams of making it on the big stage extinguished with one loss. 

   

  But for the ones that do make it in, this is their chance. Maybe that higher seeded team underestimated their abilities. Maybe a big time player was in foul trouble or having a bad day. Maybe a player on that underdog chooses that day to turn in the performance of his life. The ball bounces funny ways and when both teams look up, that double digit underdog is tied up on leading. Then the pressure begins to build for the favourites. They are supposed to win, so the victory celebration would be minimal, but if they lose, they become a cautionary tale, a meme, and their dream of cutting down the nets is over. 

   

  That underdog has nothing to lose, nobody picked them to win and in most cases, they are expected to get blown out. When they begin to make their move, we learn about the quirky details about their school. The hurdles they've overcome just to be there. We are introduced to families and shown rituals that only make us invest in that lower seed's outcome emotionally. When they win one game, it's a cool story but they have to prepare for another game in less than 48 hours but if they win the second game, if they make the Sweet 16, they get their chance to be celebrated for an entire week and we get to take that ride with them. Even when it comes to an end, and unfortunately it always does, we are sad for the team but appreciative of the journey they allowed us to sit shotgun on. 

   

  Breakout Stars

   

  The NCAA tournament has launched the careers of countless amounts of players. When you get the chance on the big stage you must take advantage. Everyone in and out of the basketball world is watching. This becomes the opportunity for players to show they can perform when the lights are shining the brightest. It was on the NCAA stage back in 2008 that a skinny kid from North Carolina made his presence known at Davidson. Steph Curry was overlooked by all the major colleges and universities because of his lack of size but his game was huge and in the tournament, he was a one man wrecking crew as people were amazed at his confidence and assassin-like accuracy. He became a household name and a top 10 pick in the NBA draft. The rest of history. Carmelo Anthony was the top recruit in the nation when he went to Syracuse. He led the Orange to the 2003 NCAA Championship his freshmen year where he was named the Most Outstanding Player. and his performance on the NCAA tournament stage had people questioning whether they should take him over Lebron James. Mateen Cleaves in 2000, Mario Chalmers in 2008, Kemba Walker in 2011, Anthony Davis in 2012 and countless others have exploded on the scene thanks to the NCAA tournament stage. 

   

  The Brackets

   

  The biggest draw of the NCAA tournament has become the fascination with filling out brackets. The gambling aspect has always been a draw in sports. It is the reason why fantasy sports are so popular in the United States. What started as office building fun and turned into a billion dollar business. Whether people are into basketball or not, the brackets become a bonding experience and an opportunity for bragging rights. ESPN reported that they had 17.3 million brackets submitted for this year's tournament. Following your bracket is just another way engagement is built and people become personally invested in the outcome of these games. A bracket challenge could be as large as what ESPN, FOX Sports, or CBS sports put on, or it could be as intimate as a few of your good friends throwing a couple dollars into a hat. The range is endless and therefore the engagement is endless. Today, even when you have a horrible first weekend with your picks, there are secondary brackets that give people a second chance to pick their winners. That way people are engaged all the way through the tournament. 

   

  Some of my favorite sports memories come from the NCAA tournament. The dominance of the early 90's UNLV Runnin' Rebels, the Fab Five phenomenon, the rise of Villanova, and my love affair with the Tar Heels are all memories that I have been fortunate enough to experience in my time. I've watched Gonzaga become a power and Georgetown become an afterthought.  Who will be the next team to rise? What player will put themselves on the map? What memory will we take from this year's version of Madness? I anxiously await and welcome all outcomes.

  Read more

• Gene Therapy: NBA - Is Philly Special?

  Feb 27, 2022 Gene Clemons 0 Comments

  

   

  by Gene Clemons

   

  Ben Simmons and James Harden finally got what they were looking for and in doing so they have possibly changed the entire landscape of the NBA's Eastern Conference. While New Jersey will definitely miss what Harden brings to the table as a scorer and a facilitator, removing him from the lineup and inserting players secure in their roles, and willing to do some of the dirty work offensively and defensively that Harden was not committed to, can actually improve the team. Adding to that intrigue is the opportunity for Kyrie Irving to return to the team full time with New York relaxing their restrictions. For Philadelphia it is simple. They will actually get a player willing to play. While getting rid of a player who has been a tremendous distraction to their team since the end of their 20-21 season. 

   

  If Simmons can return to the court and become the player he was with Philly, he is a plus defender and elite athlete who could be a slasher in an offense that would not require him to play the point or dominate the ball. He also provides them with another ball handler who can facilitate with a second unit. The Nets also received help in the form of sharpshooter Seth Curry, who can provide even more off-the-ball scoring power or to compliment the on-ball offensive prowess of the team.

   

  My problem with Philly

   

  Although the "trust the process" days are over for the sixers, the stigma behind what they did still permeates the halls and affects everything. What they created was a culture of losing with zero accountability. The thought that you could purposely lose your way to a winning team is a flawed logic. While you may end up drafting valuable pieces, if you never teach them the value of winning, how do you expect them to build and sustain a winning culture? The process stunted Joel Embiid's progress as he spent too much time on the sideline and not enough on the court becoming the leader, and dominant force that we see today. Now he's spent the last few years figuring out the dedication necessary to be a champion. That's something Ben Simmons never learned (we'll put a pin in that).

   

  In steps James Harden who, because of his immense skill, has been able to skate by without absorbing full responsibility for his postseason shortcomings. Harden has never been the model of health and fitness (similar to Embiid) and when the lights were brightest, he seemed to shrink. But more damming is when it was time to collect responsibility, he's looked for the out and now for the second time in his career he purposely sabotaged his current team to force a trade to what he believes is a better option. That type of behavior doesn't scream champion, but this is what we sew being sold as legitimate championship contenders. Two supremely talented stars who have never won anything with a history of fitness issues and a track record of unavailability or coming up small in big moments.

   

  My Problem With Brooklyn

   

  This issue with Brooklyn is simple. They can't be relying on Ben Simmons, right? There's nothing about the Ben Simmons situation that would make me feel good about putting him on the court. I have long suspected Simmons was fool's gold. Choosing to go to LSU over all the major players who understand what the one and done life is all about, felt like he was afraid of the pressure that would come with attending one of those marquee universities where basketball is king.

   

  The second red flag came with his disinterested game at LSU and inability to elevate that program to a tournament level. Then there was his rookie season. While most believe that Simmons misses his first season due to injury, the truth is that he was capable of coming back but he (armed with the blessing of an organization dedicated to losing on purpose) decided that making a couple million dollars by sitting out and waiting until next season to play and possibly win rookie of the year was worth more than playing the second half of the season and gaining valuable experience. 

   

  Finally, after last season, where he was upset over receiving deserved criticism, he wanted out. He refused to show up for work this NBA season and when the Sixers began to fine him, he announced that he was dealing with mental health issues. The issue was that with Philly, Simmons was not expected to play this season but magically when he's traded to Brooklyn now, he's preparing to return. Did a trade really solve his mental health issues or is it fair to wonder if he ever really had issues. That's the type of element that Brooklyn is welcoming in.

   

  Instant rivalry 

   

  At the very least, this immediately becomes the best current rivalry in the NBA. Not since the Pierce/Garnett Celtics were bumping up against the Heatles'' has the Eastern Conference been so spicy. KD and Kyrie will definitely be looking to cook Harden when they match up and of course Harden will look to show them what they are missing. Of course, Embiid will jump into whatever beef as he is the biggest troll in the NBA and maybe, just maybe Ben Simmons will stand up and show the type of fire that could make him a legit factor in a series.

   

  As of now, the Sixers are the new Belle of the ball. Harden has come out doing all the things that make you fall in love with his talent and if you listen to Embiid, life has never been better, and the game has never been easier. We've seen this honeymoon phase before. The question is, will this marriage last or will the Wandering eye of Harden and his unwillingness to work on his flaws rear their head once again?

   

  ###

   

  Gene Clemons is a Sports Analyst and Contributor to CWN Sports. His weekly column and podcast - Gene Therapy focuses on Sports, Politics and Social/Urban issues.

   

  Read more

• Could this be the worst Dunk contest ever, or a sign of the tides changing.

  Feb 22, 2022 Andrew Williams 1 Comments

  by Andrew Williams

   

  

   

   

  This time of year often brings a level of excitement to my world that can barely be described. This month hold my 3 favorite events I wait for all year. Valentines Day cause the mere over saturation of sappy teddy bears and crème filled chocolates tends to warm my normally cold heart. Second it’s Black History Month a time to celebrate my heritage and understand the sacrifices of my ancestors, but most importantly it’s the month of the All Star break. What a cherished time of year this is. Or it should have been. 

   

       All Star weekend often holds a level of mysticism. These giants of the game showcase their talents for the world while on lookers gawk in amazement before running outside in the yard and trying something they just saw their hero preform. Especially with extra legends added to the Diamond 75 year celebration the feel that this was going to best All Star weekend yet. Now the celebrity game gave what it was supposed to give. Myles Garret dunked everything and MGK missed mostly everything but very entertaining nonetheless. 

   

   I was even accepting of the 3 point contest demonstrating the new look NBA(Big men you can stretch the floor ). Watching Karl Anthony Towns win the 3 point contest though not traditional it was definitely entertaining. Then came the dunk contest. 

   

   Now let me start by saying the dunk contest has always been my favorite part of All Star weekend. I watched a rookie Kobe win in Cleveland, I grew up watching the battle of Air Jordan and the Human Highlight Nique Wilkins. I remember Vince putting his arm on the net. I even tried to emulate Dee Brown’s blind fold dunk. So when I tell you that’s my main event on All Star weekend, I truly mean it. I want to be blown away, I want my mouth to drop like Shaq holding a camcorder in the 90s. After all the Dunk contest usually headlines Saturday’s events, so it should be the best event. 

   

    Now going into the event I was not overly excited only one contestant was returning from last year’s contest and that was New York Knicks Obi Toppin ( who finished second to Anfernee Simmons). On the other hand with the likes of Houston Rockets dynamic youngster Jalen  Green,  Orlando Magics Cole Anthony and Golden State’s Juan Tosano- Anderson rounding out the field it might get interesting quickly. Unfortunately quickly never came. 

   

   With a myriad of missed dunk attempts a lot of the mystique was gone.  The excitement fizzled to the point Legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar had to excuse himself from such an awful display of dunk ability. Jalen Green was favored to win by Las Vegas book makers but failed to total higher than 85 in the first round. As a matter of fact out all participants in the contest all failed to register a 50 dunk. The winning dunk by Obi Toppin was safe and rather pedestrian and still scored almost 25 total higher than second play Juan Toscano- Anderson. I think the worst part about the dunk contest, the part that I felt  was like a taunt from the NBA was watching Ja Morant off an alley-oop gave us “the best and most jaw dropping, oh my goodness, jump out your seat” dunk, and this was during play in ASG. 

   

   Maybe once again I am stuck in time where we were not exposed to constant dunking stimulation. We didn’t have professional dunkers post 1 minute clips of the sickest dunks you ever seen. We didn’t have AAU lay up lines looking like LeBron and the Heatles. Maybe I just expected too much, maybe I took Aaron Gordon vs. Zach Levine for granted or maybe, just maybe this year’s dunk contest was trash. 

   

  Read more

• First Year Coaching Highschool in the Pandemic Era.

  Feb 5, 2022 Andrew Williams 0 Comments

   

  by Andrew Williams

   

  After accepting the position to coach Junior Varsity girls for Legacy Highschool in North Las Vegas I was unsure what to expect.  Sure, I had experience with the Freshman squad a few years before but that was a different climate. That was the good ole days. That was B.C. (Before Covid), things were different then. With only two games remaining in my season, I felt I can take some time to reflect on what made this year so different.

   

  This year I was first chair, head coach, the big kahuna. All the good and bad fell on me and I was determined to turn all bad into good.  Normally the main issue would be just grades and disciplinary issues but not this year.  This year my roster suffered from continuity issues. At one point I had 8 players out due to Covid and this by the fifth game. The main hurdles were faced by my back court I watched possibly one of the more capable ball handlers in my freshman class miss game after game due to academics, and then watched our turnovers almost triple. 

   

  One of the things that stood out the most as far playing in a pandemic season was the development of basketball greatly fell off.  In this area (Las Vegas) we used to have a great pipeline for girls' basketball. In the before times, we had a league for young ladies from ages 4- 13 called GYBL. This league was focused on developing girls in every age group to be ready for school ball. The beauty of this league was it was never directly associated with any AAU program. This neutrality made a safe place for all teams. Rivals would welcome rivals; every week was the Game of the Year. Every challenge was intense, at any given time you can see an icon in Women’s basketball roaming a sideline or giving an amazing life changing speech. This was our Gauchos; this was our testing ground for all the new moves we learned. This competitive environment created a pool of excellent women basketball players that would go on to be competitive in Highschool and college basketball.  Once the Covid shutdown happened the pipeline dried up. Now I see across the Valley, multiple junior varsity teams with novice players.

   

  As for my junior varsity team yes, we had some novice players and some covid absences but with all that we still are sitting 8-5 before our last two games are played. We played, we lost, we fought back, and we won, all in all we grew from this season as a team. I as a coach has grown from this season and as a person. I wish at some point these girls would have had a chance to experience the purity and innocence of the GYBL. 

   

  So here we are 3 years after the doors shut on the greatest basketball prep league in Las Vegas area, and we have a disconnect. As I sit at my desk prepping for my last 2 games of the season I sit and wish they could have played more. I wish they had the games they needed to be great at this point. Who knows what girls' basketball will look like in the future in Las Vegas, but one thing that is for sure it will never be what it was B.C (Before Covid)?

  ###

  Andrew Williams is a Sports Analyst and Host of BallCourt - The World of Basketball with Coach Drew and Let's Kick It - Courtside.

   

  Read more

• Klay Thompson Returns

  Jan 9, 2022 SportZ 0 Comments

  

  by SportZ

  941 days. That's how long it's been since Warriors all-star Klay Thompson last played an NBA game. The last time he was on the court was June 13, 2019, in game 6 of the NBA finals against the Toronto Raptors. A lot has happened since then -- Kawhi Leonard, the finals MVP that year, left to join the Clippers, Kevin Durant left to form a new big 3 in Brooklyn, and the whole COVID thing with the bubble unfolded. Today, after around two and a half years -- 31 months -- of gradual recovery, Klay Thompson made his season debut in Sunday's win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a two and a half year absence, Klay actually put up a decent performance, scoring 17 points in 20 minutes en route to a 96-82 Golden State victory. These points were scored on 7-of-18 shooting from the field, including 3-for-8 from beyond the arc. This performance, though not the most spectacular on paper, was a long time coming for teammates and fans alike. Draymond Green, though he ultimately didn't play due to tightness in his calf, started the game just so he could honor Klay's return; he, the rest of the franchise, and the fans have been anticipating this moment for what must have felt like ages. After months of physical and mental toil on account of his recovery, the return of Klay Thompson is a particularly bright spot in what has already been a great Warriors' season.

  Read more