By Gregory Crawford----Print, TV and Radio Basketball Analyst, please follow on twitter @wchoops @crawssportsbiz and @kcsportsmgmt
Ryan Nicholas---It is a going to be great fun to watch the professional basketball career of Ryan Nicholas. Ryan is presently in training camp with Mettelduetscher, a member of Germany's top professional basketball league.
It will just not be the same walking into the Chiles Center, home of the Portland Pilots and not seeing the smiling face of Ryan Nicholas greet everyone with a hardy handshake and friendly nature.
Nicholas, was not just a good player for the Pilots of the West Coast Conference, he was a great player, who gave it his all on every single play of the game both on offense and defense.
That play contributed to the fact that in his four year career with Portland, Nicholas led the team in rebounding three years in a row and twice in a row scoring.
But basketball at the University of Portland was not the only thing Ryan Nicholas excelled at, he also was stellar in the classroom, evidenced by the fact he captured three consecutive all conference academic honors.
In covering Nicholas while playing for the Pilots, I was often told by opposing coaches that they were always concerned with stopping and controlling Ryan Nicholas, if they were to beat the Pilots. It was so true and not just coaching hype. Nicholas more than likely never got the credit he deserved while playing for the U of Portland by the fans and certain media, but for sure anyone who knows the game knew what a special player he was while playing for the Pilots.
More Gregory Crawford blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Greg Crawford Basketball, For September 6th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford----COO of Kiyokawa Crawford Sports Management @wchoops @kcsportsmgmt @crawssportsbiz
The Battle Of L.A.----In the past couple of years, there is no question that the Los Angeles Clippers have been a better team than the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course, the Clippers have gotten all the attention as of late, sometimes for the wrong reasons as well.
But a look at the business side, what professional team really does own the city?
The Lakers have the largest local TV deal in not only the NBA, but all of sports in the United States. In the 2012-13 season, the Lakers started a 20 year contract with Time Warner Sports, which brings them in annually $200 million per year. That figure helps the Lakers attain an estimated valuation of its franchise at just over $1.4 billion per the Crawford Sports Biz Index.
When Steve Ballmer recently bought the Clippers for close to $2 billion, the Crawford Sports Biz Index had the team valued at $610 million. The Clipper's sale is the perfect snapshot of why many times the sale of sports team are often "personal attraction" buys, rather than solid business decisions, but with that said, sometimes they can be great investments, but it takes years. For the record the Clippers do not even rank in the top 20 of the NBA at present for local TV deals.
Some other NBA TV deals of note:
New York Knicks------Annual deal with MSG Sports, $39 million per year.
Cleveland Cavaliers----Annual deal with Fox Sports Ohio, $25 million per year, set to expire in 2015-16 and now with LeBron in the fold, let the bidding begin.
Miami Heat----The Heat TV deal expires in 2018 with Sun Sports, at present it is $20 million.
More Gregory Crawford blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
The Battle Of L.A.----In the past couple of years, there is no question that the Los Angeles Clippers have been a better team than the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course, the Clippers have gotten all the attention as of late, sometimes for the wrong reasons as well.
But a look at the business side, what professional team really does own the city?
The Lakers have the largest local TV deal in not only the NBA, but all of sports in the United States. In the 2012-13 season, the Lakers started a 20 year contract with Time Warner Sports, which brings them in annually $200 million per year. That figure helps the Lakers attain an estimated valuation of its franchise at just over $1.4 billion per the Crawford Sports Biz Index.
When Steve Ballmer recently bought the Clippers for close to $2 billion, the Crawford Sports Biz Index had the team valued at $610 million. The Clipper's sale is the perfect snapshot of why many times the sale of sports team are often "personal attraction" buys, rather than solid business decisions, but with that said, sometimes they can be great investments, but it takes years. For the record the Clippers do not even rank in the top 20 of the NBA at present for local TV deals.
Some other NBA TV deals of note:
New York Knicks------Annual deal with MSG Sports, $39 million per year.
Cleveland Cavaliers----Annual deal with Fox Sports Ohio, $25 million per year, set to expire in 2015-16 and now with LeBron in the fold, let the bidding begin.
Miami Heat----The Heat TV deal expires in 2018 with Sun Sports, at present it is $20 million.
More Gregory Crawford blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For September 3rd, 2014
By Gregory Crawford----TV, Print and Radio Basketball Analyst @wchoops @crawssportsbiz @kcsportsmgmt
Chris Haynes----A big hearty congrats to Chris Haynes on his leaving Portland, Oregon to become a the new NBA beat writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. What an assignment, covering the best player in the game today, LeBron James.
This move is no fluke. I personally know the work ethic of Chris Haynes and it is off the charts. No journalist in Portland, Oregon has broken more stories than Chris Haynes and no one should be shocked he beat out over 1,000 candidates to get this premium job.
My prediction, this will not be the final stop for Chris Haynes, he is destined for future stardom, big time assignments covering the NBA.
Here is something you might not know about Chris Haynes, or never get to see. Me being north of 60 in age, Chris was always concerned about how people would treat me both personally and professionally. Chris Haynes was raised properly, respect the dignity of people who were older than himself and always care for them. Many young people could learn lots of lessons about life and respect from Chris Haynes, that is why he is a star person, both professionally and personally.
Oregon State----Later this week, I will have some thoughts of just how great Wayne Tinkle can be as the head coach of the Oregon State Beavers. On paper he is off to a good start, of course paper is only good too write on.
Gonzaga---Is this the year the Bulldogs finally make the Final Four? I say, YES, they have a great team and great guards. You must have great guards in today's game of basketball to get to the Big Dance.
Arizona State---It was nice to see Arizona State extend the contract of Herb Sendek. He deserves the extension and has done an under appreciated job with the Sun Devils. Even I did not think he would do what he has done in the Valley of the Sun. Sendek's presence in the Pac-12 has made the league better, better is something the Pac-12 always needs.
More Gregory Crawford Blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
Chris Haynes----A big hearty congrats to Chris Haynes on his leaving Portland, Oregon to become a the new NBA beat writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. What an assignment, covering the best player in the game today, LeBron James.
This move is no fluke. I personally know the work ethic of Chris Haynes and it is off the charts. No journalist in Portland, Oregon has broken more stories than Chris Haynes and no one should be shocked he beat out over 1,000 candidates to get this premium job.
My prediction, this will not be the final stop for Chris Haynes, he is destined for future stardom, big time assignments covering the NBA.
Here is something you might not know about Chris Haynes, or never get to see. Me being north of 60 in age, Chris was always concerned about how people would treat me both personally and professionally. Chris Haynes was raised properly, respect the dignity of people who were older than himself and always care for them. Many young people could learn lots of lessons about life and respect from Chris Haynes, that is why he is a star person, both professionally and personally.
Oregon State----Later this week, I will have some thoughts of just how great Wayne Tinkle can be as the head coach of the Oregon State Beavers. On paper he is off to a good start, of course paper is only good too write on.
Gonzaga---Is this the year the Bulldogs finally make the Final Four? I say, YES, they have a great team and great guards. You must have great guards in today's game of basketball to get to the Big Dance.
Arizona State---It was nice to see Arizona State extend the contract of Herb Sendek. He deserves the extension and has done an under appreciated job with the Sun Devils. Even I did not think he would do what he has done in the Valley of the Sun. Sendek's presence in the Pac-12 has made the league better, better is something the Pac-12 always needs.
More Gregory Crawford Blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For August 24th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford---COO of Kiyokawa Crawford Sports Management @wchoops and @kcsportsmgmt
The Trade---With one of the biggest trades in the NBA for recent years, now it is important to ask who won? After all, the NBA and all of professional and now amateur sports is about winning.
I would say, that in the trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, the real winners were both teams. By going out and getting a great player like Kevin Love, a consistent all-pro, it proved the Cavaliers after signing LeBron James in July are willing to go out and get even better, despite acquiring James. The reason for the win by the Timberwolves, was they got young players, who have so much potential led by Andrew Wiggins.
As a reader, what do you think?
Oregon State---The Beavers are not going to win the Pac-12 this year in basketball. But, everything I am hearing about new coach Wayne Tinkle is positive. The Beavers will make some noise in the Pac-12 and this should be a team to watch in future years, as Tinkle builds a program that can be sustainable.
An NCAA appearance is sorely needed in Corvallis, hard to believe the last time the Beavers appeared in the "Big Dance" was 1990.
Greg Crawford On Basketball---It is always fair to say, what do with do with this blog. Well, the answer is pretty simple. We want to give concise, important and entertaining information to our readers. We will always cover in Greg Crawford On Basketball:
1. The NBA
2. The NBA Developmental League
3. NCAA Basketball
4. The Northwest Conference and Cascade Collegiate Conference, including weekly power rankings and the CCC digest.
5. The NWAACC, which is one of the top community college and JC Leagues in the country.
6. In-Depth coverage of the Portland Pilots and Portland State Vikings.
More Gregory Crawford Blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
The Trade---With one of the biggest trades in the NBA for recent years, now it is important to ask who won? After all, the NBA and all of professional and now amateur sports is about winning.
I would say, that in the trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, the real winners were both teams. By going out and getting a great player like Kevin Love, a consistent all-pro, it proved the Cavaliers after signing LeBron James in July are willing to go out and get even better, despite acquiring James. The reason for the win by the Timberwolves, was they got young players, who have so much potential led by Andrew Wiggins.
As a reader, what do you think?
Oregon State---The Beavers are not going to win the Pac-12 this year in basketball. But, everything I am hearing about new coach Wayne Tinkle is positive. The Beavers will make some noise in the Pac-12 and this should be a team to watch in future years, as Tinkle builds a program that can be sustainable.
An NCAA appearance is sorely needed in Corvallis, hard to believe the last time the Beavers appeared in the "Big Dance" was 1990.
Greg Crawford On Basketball---It is always fair to say, what do with do with this blog. Well, the answer is pretty simple. We want to give concise, important and entertaining information to our readers. We will always cover in Greg Crawford On Basketball:
1. The NBA
2. The NBA Developmental League
3. NCAA Basketball
4. The Northwest Conference and Cascade Collegiate Conference, including weekly power rankings and the CCC digest.
5. The NWAACC, which is one of the top community college and JC Leagues in the country.
6. In-Depth coverage of the Portland Pilots and Portland State Vikings.
More Gregory Crawford Blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Monday, August 18, 2014
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For August 18th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford---COO of Kiyokawa Crawford Sports Management @wchoops @crawssportsbiz
Changing Basketball----Yesterday on the Sunday night radio show we do, "Portland Metro Small College Hoops", the great coach at Lewis and Clark College, Dinari Foreman, asked me what I would change in college basketball to make it better.
So here is the answer I gave in print.
1. I would bring back pre-game dunking. Make the penalties the same as in the game, if a player hangs on the rim, he gets a technical. The game of college basketball needs fans, it needs to make a comeback believe it or not and this would be a step in the right direction.
2. In the second overtime, do no play for 5 minutes. Instead make it a free throw shoot out contest, with each team picking five players before the game who would represent their teams. And to be fair, make sure the visiting team does not shoot into the student crowd ever. The tension would be amazing in the building, for sure. Plus, we would see free throw shooting improve dramatically, which at present overall is below the 70 percent mark.
3. Centralize officiating. Make assignments all come out of the same office. No more conference supervisors, it would improve the officiating product greatly and improve the game of college basketball.
More Gregory Crawford Blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Changing Basketball----Yesterday on the Sunday night radio show we do, "Portland Metro Small College Hoops", the great coach at Lewis and Clark College, Dinari Foreman, asked me what I would change in college basketball to make it better.
So here is the answer I gave in print.
1. I would bring back pre-game dunking. Make the penalties the same as in the game, if a player hangs on the rim, he gets a technical. The game of college basketball needs fans, it needs to make a comeback believe it or not and this would be a step in the right direction.
2. In the second overtime, do no play for 5 minutes. Instead make it a free throw shoot out contest, with each team picking five players before the game who would represent their teams. And to be fair, make sure the visiting team does not shoot into the student crowd ever. The tension would be amazing in the building, for sure. Plus, we would see free throw shooting improve dramatically, which at present overall is below the 70 percent mark.
3. Centralize officiating. Make assignments all come out of the same office. No more conference supervisors, it would improve the officiating product greatly and improve the game of college basketball.
More Gregory Crawford Blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Greg Crawford On Basketball, For August 16th, 2014
By Gregory Crawford---TV, Radio and Print Basketball Analyst on twitter @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz
NBA All-Star Game---- So the Portland Trail Blazers are bidding to host either the 2017 or 2018 NBA All-Star game. Good for them, it is so deserved, considering the fact Seattle, Washington hosted an NBA all-star in 1987 and that city does not even have a team in the NBA at present.
Chris McGowan has done a great job as president of the Blazers and he will be the driving force behind bringing this prestigious affair to the Rose City. Just a word of caution, many people are touting this as the greatest sporting event ever to come to the city if it happens. That is laughable. The two greatest sporting events ever to come to the city of Portland were the 1977 NBA championship series, of which Portland won the title and golf's Fred Meyer Challenge, which will never be duplicated.
But on a positive note, to help get this event here, since Portland is always so different and also people are claiming this will be a different atmosphere, I want to help promote this event, by making it even more different.
Instead of letting kids in free, how about giving a free ticket to any Portlander who fits into the following categories.
1. Anyone who has a garden and does not have rose bush in it.
2. Anyone who has never eaten salmon
3. Anyone who has never had a Voodoo donut.
4. Anyone who has never protested a United States President coming to Portland.
5. Anyone without a tattoo.
6. Anyone who has never watched Portlandia.
7. Anyone who in the last three years who has ATTENDED a Portland State football game.
8. Anyone who does not own a bike.
9. And last, but not least, anyone who is a Republican.
And yes, if you gave a free ticket to anyone above, still plenty of tickets left for the dignitaries.
More Gregory Crawford's blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
NBA All-Star Game---- So the Portland Trail Blazers are bidding to host either the 2017 or 2018 NBA All-Star game. Good for them, it is so deserved, considering the fact Seattle, Washington hosted an NBA all-star in 1987 and that city does not even have a team in the NBA at present.
Chris McGowan has done a great job as president of the Blazers and he will be the driving force behind bringing this prestigious affair to the Rose City. Just a word of caution, many people are touting this as the greatest sporting event ever to come to the city if it happens. That is laughable. The two greatest sporting events ever to come to the city of Portland were the 1977 NBA championship series, of which Portland won the title and golf's Fred Meyer Challenge, which will never be duplicated.
But on a positive note, to help get this event here, since Portland is always so different and also people are claiming this will be a different atmosphere, I want to help promote this event, by making it even more different.
Instead of letting kids in free, how about giving a free ticket to any Portlander who fits into the following categories.
1. Anyone who has a garden and does not have rose bush in it.
2. Anyone who has never eaten salmon
3. Anyone who has never had a Voodoo donut.
4. Anyone who has never protested a United States President coming to Portland.
5. Anyone without a tattoo.
6. Anyone who has never watched Portlandia.
7. Anyone who in the last three years who has ATTENDED a Portland State football game.
8. Anyone who does not own a bike.
9. And last, but not least, anyone who is a Republican.
And yes, if you gave a free ticket to anyone above, still plenty of tickets left for the dignitaries.
More Gregory Crawford's blogs:
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Greg Crawford Basketball, For August 2nd, 2014
By Gregory Crawford---TV, Print and Radio Analyst---COO of Kiyokawa Crawford Sports Management @wchoops and @crawssportsbiz kiyokawacrawford@gmail.com
Top Nine---- The world famous Crawford power rankings brings you the initial top nine NBA teams for the 2014-15 season. Subject to change, but always interesting.
9. Phoenix Suns
8. Portland Trail Blazers
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Miami Heat
5. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Golden State Warriors
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Chicago Bulls
1. San Antonio Spurs
Now your turn, give me your rankings and tell me where I went wrong.
More of Gregory Crawford
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Top Nine---- The world famous Crawford power rankings brings you the initial top nine NBA teams for the 2014-15 season. Subject to change, but always interesting.
9. Phoenix Suns
8. Portland Trail Blazers
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Miami Heat
5. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Golden State Warriors
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Chicago Bulls
1. San Antonio Spurs
Now your turn, give me your rankings and tell me where I went wrong.
More of Gregory Crawford
http://crawfordsgolfdaily.blogspot.com
http://crawscorner.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)