On the TunneySide of Sports July 1, 2019, #750 Hats Off!
After further review… ”My hat’s off to you!” is a time–worn expression of congratulations to the winner of an event or to one who has successfully completed a task. It may have come from an old English expression showing appreciation for achievement. It’s much different that the expression “hold onto your hat.” If you were watching the 2019 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft held recently (June 20th), hold onto your hat is what this is all about.
It has been the NBA’s practice (as it has been in the NFL) to hand a baseball cap to each selected player with the logo of the T*E*A*M selecting him as he approaches the commissioner to receive his congratulatory hug. Whatever happened to handshakes? This 2019 NBA draft selection-evening produced more than its share of confusion.
When DeAndre Hunter, a 21-year old 6’7” small-forward junior from the University of Virginia, was selected fourth in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers, he was handed a cap with the Lakers logo. However, the scroll across the television screen indicated that the Lakers were trading Hunter to the Atlanta Hawks. Hunter remarked about why he was wearing a Lakers hat but really was going to the Hawks. This occurred to other players throughout that evening.
Player after player, whose scroll across the bottom of the screen indicated a trade was imminent, was presented with the cap of the team that selected him in the draft order. The reason for this confusion is that the 2019 NBA league year doesn’t start until July 6th – that’s next Saturday! Further, Anthony Davis, a 6’10” All-Star power forward of the New Orleans Pelicans was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for three players and a 2019 draft choice so that he could join LeBron James putting the Lakers in a strong position to challenge the Western defending champs Warriors, but it is not firm yet!
Many NBA players eligible for free agency are working behind-the-scenes for their selection by teams other than the one they played for this (2018-19) season. I have never been a fan of free agency as it destroys fan loyalty. It appears that fan loyalty often switches to individual player loyalty, e.g., LeBron, Durant, etc. etc. rather than T*E*A*M loyalty. While Curt Flood (St. Louis Cardinals outfielder) might have been correct in 1969 challenging major baseball league’s reserve clause, free agency is of major concern in all professional sports.
Will you log-in about the NBA draft confusion and possible correction for 2020 draft?
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