Basketball from a fans perspective
Can you believe?
The Bucks have done it again; they have closed the door on the two longest winning streaks in NBA history. The first time they accomplished the feat was 1972 the Kareem Abdul Jabbar Bucks stopped the 33-game win streak of the Lakers. Last Saturday night the Warriors had a 28-game winning streak (over two seasons) stopped at the Bradley Center. The Bucks manage to pin a 108-95 loss on the Warriors their first loss of the season. It was pointed out Milwaukee has stopped winning streaks of 12 or more times four other times, “Fear the Deer”
Obituaries
Two more deaths that affect the basketball community. Dolph Schayes 12-time NBA All-Pro died at 87, Schayes spent most of his career as a member of the Syracuse (NY) Nationals. The Nationals would later move to Philadelphia and become the 76ers. 6-11 John “Hot Rod” Williams played a valued role for the Cavs as the sixth man during his nine years with the team. “Perhaps Williams finest season occurred in 1989 when he averaged 16.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.04 block shots while mostly serving as the teams sixth man.” He would go on to play for the Suns and Mavs before closing out a 13-year NBA career in 1999, Williams was 53.
Wikipedia
I don’t know what to expect
At this stage I’m not sure but I believe the players who left Mizzou were Frank Haith recruits. That’s okay they may have felt they didn’t fit Kim Anderson’s system. As for the remaining roster and newcomers I don’t know what to expect. If we check the roster they have only one senior and that spells trouble with a capital T. Mizzou is a mix of junior college transfers, freshman, sophomores and juniors.
Mizzou fans must be patient I believe Kim Anderson can coach it’s a matter of recruiting, assembling the talent on hand and competing. Unfortunately it looks as though 2015-16 is a “throw-away” year. They will play however they will lose more games than they win. My hope is an improvement over the 9-23 mark last season the worst in the school’s history. I believe with these commits there are no more offers available for 2016-17 baring any changes in the present roster.
Willie Jackson 6-6 215 pounds 3-star Rivals Cleveland Ohio
Reed Nikko 6-9 215 pounds 3-star “ Maple Grove MN
Mitchell Smith 6-10 195 pounds 3-star “ Van Buren AK
Tell me the truth
I’m reluctant to add this name to my list of broadcasters on my censure list. He’s an athlete having played for Oklahoma State and several Euro teams. Once his playing career was over he made the transition into radio-television and for awhile I enjoyed his insight especially as it related to basketball. Doug Gottlieb CBS Sports is added to my list not because of baseball but an incredibly stupid comment regarding the recent World Series match featuring the Mets and Royals.
As for Brian Costa Wall Street Journal he too is added due to baseball. Last season he referred to Royals Manager Ned Yost as an idiot. Well that idiot Yost has managed to lead the Royals into two consecutive World Series a rare feat in this day and age, the second trip resulted in a championship. I must repeat again I believe a number of these “journalist” write and make statements to rile up guys like me. They certainly can’t believe some of the stuff they spew out or do they?
The Barber Shop
I can always expect sharp talk at the barber shop; it could be college or NBA ball. Other sports are often discussed but it seems (at least when I visit) basketball dominates the conversation. One barber in particular is always good for an opinion. After discussing Chieck Diallo’s first game he turned to the NBA and the 76ers. “It’s a shame what‘s going on with that team, they just continue to draft players. No wonder (Jahlil) Okafor got in trouble the boy is tired of losing. He won in high school won in college the constant losing has gotten to him.” He figured he direct a portion of his critique at me; “Your Lakers should have drafted Okafor rather than Russell its still a Big Mans game.” He finally concluded by stating; “Regardless of their record the 76ers should be excluded from the draft.”
Despite the rant of John there is no way the 76ers can be excluded from the draft I believe NBA rules would prohibit that event from occurring? The NBA stepped in to run the New Orleans franchise while the team was on the market, this is not exactly the same situation but close. This might be difficult with the 76er ownership remaining in place. As for his comment about my Lakers I guess I must learn to live with Russell over Okafor. Despite the 76ers victory over my team it might be quite awhile before good basketball returns to the City of Brotherly Love. All I can say is they should be prohibited from drafting Ben Simmons. Maybe the hiring of Jerry Colangelo to a position with this team will address the issues GM Sam Henke has perhaps ignored. Ownership must listen to Colangelo ideas if not this hire serves no purpose.
