If you have been reading my column for the past 15 years, you should expect to see what has become one of my annual spring rituals. It is your yearly reminder about the National Basketball Association team that always seems to be flying under the radar despite its tremendous success.
Yes, that would be your San Antonio Spurs.
As the NBA regular season comes to a close this week, it should be no surprise that the one team that nobody is really talking about is the team that has 58 victories and the third best record in the league. Yes, that would be the San Antonio Spurs.
We are in a time where the Miami Heat are big favorites to repeat as world champions with the Oklahoma City Thunder poised for a rematch with the Heat in the NBA Finals. The New York Knicks, Kobe Bryant’s serious injury and the Clippers are the headlines makers these days.
Through it all, the Spurs have endured and remained viable contenders, despite the advanced age of stars Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili and the injuries that have persisted throughout the season. They can still play and Pop can still coach.
Can the Spurs win another title? Probably not.
It will be very difficult because the young guns such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant have taken over. However, it is always fun for me to point out the excellence of a proud franchise that continues to play basketball the right way and win big year after year.
Clarence DeLoch Sr.: Hall of Famer
Congratulations to the Rev. Clarence DeLoch Sr. on his upcoming induction into the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. DeLoch will be officially inducted at the Hall of Fame ceremony tonight at the Sheraton West Port. DeLoch was a multi-sport standout at Soldan High in the 1960s, where he played football, baseball and basketball. During the mid-1960’s, Deloch was one of the premier pitchers in the Tandy League. Deloch is now the Chaplin of the Northwoods Police Department.
Sheldon Richardson: first rounder
Former Gateway Tech and Mizzou football standout Sheldon Richardson has been invited to attend the upcoming National Football League Draft, which will be held on April 25-27 at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Richardson will be among the players in attendance who are expected to be drafted in the first round. The talented defensive tackle made himself available for the draft after his junior season after he was an All-Southeastern Conference First Team selection.
Declared: Ben McLemore
Former Wellston High basketball star Ben McLemore made it official last week when he formally declared for the National Basketball Association Draft. The 6’5” McLemore enjoyed a tremendous freshman season with the Kansas Jayhawks. He averaged 15.9 points a game and set a new freshman scoring record at KU. McLemore has been projected as a high-lottery pick throughout the season, even reaching as high as No. 1 in some NBA mock drafts.
Signed: Willie Reed
Former Saint Louis University standout Willie Reed was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies this week. The 6’10” Reed spent the past season with the Springfield Armor of the National Basketball Developmental League, where he averaged 14 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Reed spent two seasons at SLU where he was developing into one of the top big men in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Congrats to Willie Reed on the call-up to the NBA. His three years of hard work and perseverance since leaving SLU have paid off.
