Basketball from a fans perspective

I missed him
In an earlier discussion of the 2017 Rookie of the Year I tossed out several names for consideration.  I’ve mentioned number one draft pick Ben Simmons is sidelined at least till January is out of consideration.  In addition number two pick Brandon Ingram of the Lakers is coming off the bench and playing reserve minutes.  There is no argument thus far Sixer Joel Embiid has got to be in the lead for Rookie of the Year.  

Who did I miss you ask a guy with good basketball jeans or is it genes?  I missed Domantas Sabonis whose dad Arvydas played for the Blazers from 1995-2001 and later in the 2003-03 season. Domantas is not displaying spectacular numbers but is in the starting lineup for playoff contender Thunder. After two years at Gonzaga the younger Sabonis declared for the NBA draft and was chosen in the first round by the Thunder with the 11th pick.     

The NFL
Curiosity more than fact, since the beginning of the NFL season we’ve heard and read stories about viewership.  Fans continue to walk through the turnstiles for games tuning in on television is a different matter.  NFL television numbers have been down since the beginning of the season. One of the explanations we heard early was; “Everyone is distracted by the presidential election.” That might have been true however we are two almost three weeks beyond the election and the numbers continue to slide.  The other response I heard has a basketball connection sort of.  

“They have Sunday night, Monday night and Thursday night plus Sunday afternoon maybe there is too much football on television?”  After hearing the statement by a media type I thought “During the basketball season there are college and NBA games on every evening. In addition there is Saturday afternoon evening and Sunday evening games.”  I’m not hearing any “NFL” type stories from the NCAA or NBA wonder why?  I’m not confused, the number of fans sitting in front of their televisions viewing the NFL exceed college and the NBA.  I just found it interesting television which allowed the NFL to succeed baseball with most Americans is not complaining.

Is he?
It was his junior year is high school I first came across the name Devin Booker.  You know what it’s like you hear the last name and wonder; “Is he related to ____.”  I do this all the time with basketball players because there are so many father-sons who play the game.  That is the case here Devin is the son of Melvin Booker point guard for the Mizzou Tigers back in the day.  As the recruiting battle ensued for his services I noticed Rivals had Mizzou as one of the schools this outstanding high school player was exploring.  

Naturally I was disappointed when he chose Kentucky but who could blame him.  He arrived on campus with a number of former McDonalds All Americans and then the platoon set in.  Coach Cal and his system we thought the 6-6 guard could shoot however limited minutes left questions in our mind.  The questions continued after Devin decided to leave Kentucky after but one season.  He left early with many convinced was he ready for the NBA.  Location, location, location has often been said in basketball and other pursuits. 

The Suns made Devin the 13th pick in the first round of the 2015 draft.  Although not initially a starter he ended the season there, it’s likely the only reason he wasn’t NBA Rookie of the Year was due to his former Kentucky teammate Karl-Anthony Towns.  Devin ended the season with 13.8 points per game average.  So far this season he’s nearly 20 points a game for a poor Suns team. Dad Melvin was forced to play 98% of his basketball career in Europe, he believes he didn’t get a fair shot.  He’s not upset and now says he’s living the NBA through son Devin.