Basketball from a fans perspective
“State” of the union
The State of Missouri doesn’t contain population numbers close to those of California, Texas, New York or Florida. Missouri has 40 colleges and universities spread throughout the state however only five play at the Division I level. This account began as something else until I uncovered a story behind the story. This is tragic, Not one of the five schools had a winning record in the 2015-16 basketball season. That’s not to say they haven’t been winners in the past but is basketball this bad in the state? I offer no explanation for this peculiar matter however Missouri State “leads” the way with 13 wins.
Missouri State 13-19
University of Mo-Kansas City 12-19
Saint Louis University 11-21
Mizzou 10-21
Southeast Missouri State 5-24
Will not occur
The ESPN.com headline read; “Will Kings trade Cousins” referencing the Sacramento center. We don’t know if this will occur however I’d take him on the Lakers. The Kings and Lakers are in the same division so it’s unlikely a trade of this magnitude would ever occur. Allow me to use my imagination and work out a trade to benefit both teams. I love Jordan Clarkson but he goes so does Nick Young along with Timofey Mozgov.
The Lakers get Cousins and Ben McLemore. I have no idea if the money works out for the players’ names but you see I’m thinking future. Cousins has sometimes been a head case since his arrival in the NBA. Beneath the surface I believe Cousins wants to be coached. Can Luke Walton reach him I don’t know, I do know this he was able to establish a relationship with Mike Malone and was very upset at the time the coach was fired. Hey Mitch Kupchak (Laker GM) do it.
Lighting striking twice
Despite the myth lighting can strike twice in the same spot. It’s possible the founders of ABA2000 believed lighting could strike twice in the same place. In 1967 the American Basketball Association came into existence the intent was to rival the existence NBA. Through several years of franchise movement discussions began regarding merger. In 1967 four teams (Spurs, Pacers, Nets and Nuggets) merged and became part of the NBA in 1976. Perhaps that was the belief in 1999 when ABA2000 was founded. Red, white and blue basketball, three-point basket it had all the trappings of the original ABA.
After beginning the league with eight teams the ABA has now morphed into an 84 team league (yes I said 84), the ABA spread to every nook and cranny of the country. Even more interesting Kansas City has a team at present I didn’t know existed and I doubt if any of my fellow citizens are aware either. The original ABA team the Knights played from 2000-2006 and were good. In fact they were the 2001-2002 ABA2000 champions finishing with a 35-5 record. The present version of the ABA lacks credibility, I’m unsure if a league with 80+ teams and no national television would ever gain traction with basketball fans. Back in 1999 the founders of the latest version of the ABA might have believed “lighting striking twice” again.
Best in the state?
Oskaloosa is a town located about 75 miles southeast of Des Moines as the crow flies. The 2012 population of the town indicates nearly 12,000 folks live there. Many other cities and towns in Iowa much larger populations however Oskaloosa might have the best high school player in the State of Iowa. Even more surprising Xavier Foster is yet to play his first game for Oskaloosa High. Foster is a 6-10 200 pound forward who began growing his game while playing for AAU team Pure Prep Academy out of Urbandale (IA).
His coach indicates there are aspects of his game which must improve which is funny in a manner of speaking. At 14 he continues to grow and might possibly reach 7 feet once he becomes an adult. According to a USA Today claim Foster stood 3 feet 5 inches at the age of 2. Again this is certainly not intended as a prediction of future success just an interesting prospect to store in your memory banks.
