BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

“A rose by any other name”
To my dismay owners of the franchise chose Pelicans over something else.  At the time the “Hornets” name returned to Charlotte the thought might have been the New Orleans franchise needs a name.  The Jazz franchise was an expansion team in the city but later moved to Salt Lake City.  I’ve always believed the name was more useful for The Crescent City than Utah.  Are there are any jazz clubs in the city we might ask?  I’ve never visited New Orleans either however its one of the spots American Jazz originated.  When questioned about a name change owners of the Jazz believe the name belongs to them and have no desire to change it.      

The Roos
Kangaroos are not an animal that‘s likely to strike fear in most hearts, unlike an eagle, bear, wolf or lion.  No matter that’s what we got in Kansas City, the University of Missouri Kangaroos. The Roos finished 12-19 (4-10 conference) in the Western Athletic Conference last season. Coach Kareem Richardson believes with six players who played major minutes expectations for improvement are expected.  UMKC a Division I program for years continues to remain in the shadow of Kansas, Kansas State and even Mizzou basketball in the KC Metro.  At the time UMKC became a Division I program I hoped the school might be able to emulate the success of Louisville, St. John’s or DePaul.

Louisville might be the only successful program at present although St. John’s and DePaul have certainly turned out formidable teams in the past.  Louisville, New York City and Chicago each located in a highly populated city.  I have long believed the Mo Valley would be a better fit for UMKC.  The WAC is a step up conference wise but even it’s got a downside in my view.  Seattle University and New Mexico State as rivals for UMKC, one school located in the Pacific Time Zone and the other Rocky Mountain.  Consider Wichita, Omaha, Springfield (MO) and Cedar Falls (IA) are all 5 hours drive time from Kansas City and all Central Time Zone.  The hook each of the cities mentioned has a school in the Mo Valley.

Well now
C.J. Roberts is headed to Mizzou next season at least he’s made a verbal commitment.  Home for the 6 foot point guard is Richland Hills a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro.  Roberts becomes significant for a number of reasons.   The 4-star Rivals prospect becomes Mizzou’s first 2017 commitment.  Roberts unlikely to turn Mizzou’s program around but it provides proof to the Mizzou faithful the coaching staff is out recruiting.  The school has placed issues of the past several years behind them the fact Roberts chose Mizzou might be a turning point.  The programs past inequities might finally be buried (hopefully).  

Did you realize? 
The Naismith Hall of Fame contains several players who began their basketball careers in the ABA?  Dr. J. began his career as a member of the ABA Nets.  The most productive years for Roger Brown were spent as a member of the ABA Pacers.  We include Connie Hawkins, Artis Gilmore, Dan Issel, David Thompson and Mel Daniels in the count.  Brown and Daniels spent their basketball careers in the ABA while the others finished in a merged NBA.  

It’s likely over
At the dawn of the 2016-17 season it appears one more perennial All-Star is headed to retirement.  Kevin Garnett returned to the Wolves last year the team that drafted him in 1995. As the saying goes; “Father Time remains undefeated ” and the 40-year old Garnett has likely at the end of the line.  The Wolves are supposed to be negotiating a buy-out of Garnett’s contract. This story is likely to still be rumor while you are reading it.  Don’t be surprised if this week or next week it’s confirmed.  Next stop for Mr. Garnett the Naismith Hall of Fame.