Basketball from a fans perspective
Bits n Pieces
Youth basketball players reading this please store in your memory bank. Every time you jump in the air attempting a pass there are three likely occurrences and only one is satisfactory. The other occasions I believe you can figure out without any hints.
The Count is at work once again tracking the Warriors attempt to break the single season NBA win record. Last week the Pistons beat them in a game played in Detroit. The Warriors stand 36-5 as this is written, going forward they must finish the regular season 37-4. If the Warriors are able to accomplish this feat they would finish 73-9 and eclipse the 72-10 mark set by the Michael Jordan Bulls in ’95-’96.
Several states were represented at the time McDonald’s chose its All-American Boys Prep Basketball team. Where is the best basketball played in the nation? This is not intended to be proof however the overwhelming majority of 24 athletes are from Texas, California and Florida. John Calipari has the single largest number of recruits with four headed to Kentucky this fall.
There is never any excuse for bad behavior you can check it out for yourself on YouTube. Oregon State’s Jarmal Reid tripped referee Tommy Nunez after believing he’d been fouled and the official failed to blow the whistle. He’s received at least a four game suspension for his actions. Referees have made bad calls since the days of James A. Naismith, attacking an official are not the means to address the issue.
Finally
I’m unsure if an athlete transferring to your favorite college can be classified as good news. Lately there’s been nothing but bad news for Mizzou on the basketball court. The losses on the court have been compounded by NCAA infractions from the 2013-14 season. All wins were vacated and no post-season play plus losing scholarships. In any event Jordan Barnett a 6-6 forward announced he was leaving Texas and transferring to Mizzou.
Barnett from St. Louis played limited minutes for the departed Rick Barnes and his replacement Shaka Smart. I guess the question might be can Barnett play? I really have no idea but at least its positive news emanating from Columbia (MO) and it’s an arrival rather than a departure. Barnett will eligible to play the fall semester of 2016.
Thon Maker
He’s gained weight but still checks in at a thin 223 pounds, there are guards who weigh more than 7-1 Thon Maker. I’m watching his Athlete Institute team against Findlay Prep. The ESPN broadcaster clarified a question for me; I had wondered why Maker was no longer listed on ESPNU Recruiting Nation prospects. Although Maker attended high school in the U.S. once he moved to Canada he came off the ESPNU list. It’s a nation thing rather than talent the game analyst said; “If he’d remained in the U.S. he would be a top five prospect.”
Other than viewing AAU YouTube highlights this was my first opportunity to witness Maker in action. Athlete Institute was a loser 73-59 however Maker had a good game, 16 points 9 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Just in case you might have wondered Maker made it clear he has no intentions to pull a “Mudiay.” Last year Emmanuel Muiday announced he was headed to SMU and at some point changed his mind and departed for a pro career in China. Mudiay would return in time for the 2015 NBA Draft and is now a member of the Denver Nuggets.
