Hello Gwinnett,
I hope you all enjoyed all that April had to offer! Let’s look at the NBA in April!
I would like to start off by talking about former NBA great Isaiah Thomas. Thomas was fired as the New York Knicks head coach. The team’s new President Donnie Walsh said “if this Knicks franchise is going to turn around, it is going to have to start with the coach”. It is said that the Knicks options for a new head coach will be either: Marc Jackson, Frank Williams, or Rick Carlyle. I think that firing Isaiah Thomas was the right thing to do. When Isaiah was the coach of the Indiana Pacers, He led them to a 60 win season. I think he’ll coach again. But just not for the Knicks.
The Hawks have made the NBA playoffs! This is the first time they’ve made the playoffs since 1999. Unfortunately, all of the Hawks hard work will go unnoticed as they are playing a best of seven series with the Boston Celtics. I’m picking Boston to win the series in five games. The only win I’d give for the Hawks is a home game. But other than that, I see the “Big 3” ripping these young Hawks to shreds. In other series, I have the Pistons beating the Sixers in six games. The Magic will beat the Raptors in six games. Finally in the East, I have the Cavs beating the Wizards in five games.
In the West, I have the Lakers beating the Nuggets in five games. The Hornets beating the Mavs in six games. The Spurs losing to the Suns in seven games. Finally, I have the Jazz beating the Rockets in seven games.
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Calvin Hightower, III and son Jordan Hightower
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Finally, Congrats to Coach Calvin Hightower, III and his 3/4 grade Grayson basketball team as they won the championship and went undefeated! When I asked Coach Hightower what makes this team so special and hard to beat, he described the team as follows:
“The camaraderie, respect and positive attitude the players demonstrated to each other and their coaches was one key factor to make this team so special. Another key factor is the diversity and ability to improve the specific skills of each player. It was mentioned to me that our speed and scrappy defensive style made our team very tough to defeat. Additionally, the coaching staff and parental support helped to harmonize our team.”
Coach Hightower says that it is important to encourage player to improve their basic fundamental basketball skills by practicing daily and being a student of the game. He and his coaches place high emphasis on academic success, leadership skills, good sportsmanship and discipline which help the kids to reach their athletic goals. They constantly explain to the kids that hard work, daily exercise and effort will create positive results. Finally, at the end of each team practice sessions and game time huddle they conclude with a loud shout of the word “Defense!!!!!” Now that’s how you lead a team to victory.
See you next month!!!
