Sin City’s Dream Takes Flight! NBDL Powerhouses Aim for Elite Heights!
Sporting Tribune senior writer Willie Ramirez says when the NBA arrives in Las Vegas, the franchise should pay homage to Jerry Tarkanian and call the team the Sharks. Tarkanian was affectionately known as "Tark the Shark. " LAS VEGAS -- There are no sharks in the desert.
Card sharks, maybe, in Las Vegas' desert oasis that is lathered with casinos and resorts. Once upon a time, though, there was a shark. Someone the entire community loved, whether or not they knew anything about basketball.
As the NBA plans to officially discuss expansion at the league’s Board of Governors meeting next week, with serious discussions about Las Vegas and Seattle entering the landscape, I say it's time to pay homage to Jerry Tarkanian, ahem, Tark the Shark. Bring on the Las Vegas Sharks. Tarkanian wasn’t just a successful basketball coach, he was the sports figure who helped put Las Vegas on the legitimate sports map.
Before the rise of the Runnin' Rebels, this town was known for gambling and entertainment, and was never taken seriously when it came to athletics. Tarkanian changed that in a huge way by turning UNLV into one of the most exciting and dominant programs in college basketball with a fast-paced, high-scoring style that made the Rebels must-watch TV. He led the Rebels to four Final Fours and won the 1990 NCAA National Championship with a team still considered by many to be the greatest college basketball team ever.
Tarkanian was to UNLV what John Wooden was to UCLA. The Runnin' Rebels played like an NBA team and became endearing to basketball fans across the country. To be fair, at some point in our old-school Las Vegas lives, we all mimicked the lovable little Armenian by chewing on a towel as he did.