BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
Tough how tough?
How important is a teams schedule in relation to the NCAA Tournament? It’s doggone important we are led to believe; I’m reading Matt Norlander CBS Sports.com writer’s story. He writes of several schools returning starters and with competitive records last season expected to compete this season. One of those mentioned was the University of Houston, the Cougars finished last season with a 22-10 (12-6) won-loss record.
Certainly the record would provide evidence they had a good year however the Cougars failed to receive an invitation to The Big Dance. Why did the Cougars fail to secure a berth in the NCAA Tournament you ask? Norlander indicates the Cougars had the 350th toughest non-conference record in the nation. This is certainly no intent to knock the players or the school but it proves a point. Mizzou finished last season with a 10-21 (3-15) record but I’d be willing to bet they played a tougher non-conference schedule than Houston.
NBA Training Camp Notes
A few notes from the opening of training camp:
No need of holding off on the announcement, Steph Curry indicates he’s
re-signing with the Warriors next year. Bam just like that its done and I believe him no need of beating around the bush.
Cavs rookie Kay Felder has an NBA connection; Felder is cousins with former NBA player and current TNT analyst Steve Smith. Felder attended Oakland University in Rochester Michigan.
Laker rookie Brandon Ingram will begin the season on the bench. As a Laker fan hopefully the learning curve is short. Its likely Luol Deng will be the starting small forward.
The Spurs indicate Tim Duncan will join their front office. No position indicated as this is written.
Stephen Jackson former player has gone on record indicating second year man D’Angelo Russell is “brown-nosing” Luke Walton. All I can say is that’s funny considering Jackson has no connection to the Lakers so it’s unclear how he came up with this scenario.
I saw an interview on NBA TV with Dwayne Wade. Decked out in a Bulls jersey certainly looked strange to me after all the years in a Heat jersey.
What age who’s age?
As recently as two years the Lakers might have been the oldest are nearly the oldest average team in the NBA no more. According to RealGM.com the honor (or difficulty) now belongs to the NBA champion Cavs whose average age is 29.7. Next up is the Clippers at 29.6 while the Warriors are 27.5. Where do the Lakers land now? I’m glad you ask the question, average age going into the season is 26.3.
Confused, I certainly am
The 10 team Big 12 Conference will remain just that---10 teams. The conference indicated they were handicap with only 10 teams. Several schools rumored to be seeking inclusion in the Big 12 were UConn, Cincinnati, SMU, and Brigham Young. Now comes word on Tuesday it appears expansion is off the table for discussion currently. As indicated in previous accounts this is a football move however the basketball profile would be improved adding a Cincinnati or UConn as part of the Big 12. There are rumors Oklahoma and Texas might pick up their football and go else where. Should that scenario come about the conference will fall apart.
