Basketball from a fans perspective
Dunk of epic proportions
First the Lakers lost the game---bad (if you are a Laker fan). GREAT if you are a fan of high flyer Larry Nance Jr. of the Lakers. I’m unsure where to place the Nance Jr. in the lexicon of dunks I can state with conviction they are equal to many we remember from his dad Larry Nance Sr. As for the 6-9 Nance Jr. posterizing 7-foot Brook Lopez was nothing short of spectacular, video of dunks of the past come rushing to my mind.
It might not have been as spectacular but dunk contest winner Spud Webb at 5-7 winning the slam dunk has got to rank somewhere. How about those of Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant and an earlier time Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins and someone I'm sure I overlooked. How about an even earlier time-period the high flying dunks of Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving and others. See the Nance Jr. dunk for yourself and draw your own conclusions, it was outstanding but measured against a number of the aforementioned players where does it rank?
“Want get fooled again”
This has nothing to do with the 1971 hit by the rock group The Who. Rather than music basketball is the topic of discussion. All eyes are on the Kansas Jayhawks however in non conference have you noticed who is in first place? It’s the Baylor Bears with an 9-0 record. Scott Drew took over a Baylor program in 2003 riddled with scandal. The school was placed on limited scholarship and was not allowed post-season play for a time. Since 2007-08 Baylor has played post-season every year except one.
Every year I believe they will eclipse Kansas in the Big 12 race something strange occurs. I don’t remember the year but I’m sure it’s been within the last five they beat Kansas in the Big 12 post-season tournament, hat’s the only time they were able to get past Kansas. The non-con schedule is usually teams that are sometimes easy marks. Come January the big boys began play, I wouldn’t expect a victory in Lawrence Kansas but how about Waco Texas. I’m prepared this time “Want get fooled again.”
Football to basketball and back again
He was a consensus All American quarterback and the 1993 Heisman Trophy winner. How did he wind up in the NBA you might ask, after an outstanding college career as Florida State’s quarterback the 6-2 Charlie Ward did not rate highly with scouts. With no guarantee he would be drafted in the first round Ward decided in favor of the NBA. Ward was the 26th pick in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft. Ward spent 10 years with the Knicks most of it as a back-up point guard; he would play for the Spurs and Rockets before retiring. Life has come full circle for Ward in a sense. In retirement he’s served as head football coach for a number of high schools. Ward is repeating the early years of his life coaching his son as his father had done for him. Ward remains the only Heisman winner with an NBA resume.
The return
The “point guard” was on the Sixer practice floor, according to reports he wore no walking boot on his broken right foot. I’m referring to rookie Ben Simmons, the 6-10 Simmons wash shooting free-throws and that’s enough for now. If you remember early reports it was hoped Simmons would play in the 2016-17 season. January was the timetable for his return however it was not intended to be a final date it was a “hope” date. As for the team I’m sure no logical Sixer fan is expecting instant improvement if Simmons arrives as late as February. The truth is its likely it will be next season before we see any improved play.
Save him
I’ve heard a number of commentators state; “I hope Davis can escape from New Orleans.” They are referring to Pelican Big Man Anthony Davis who is still growing, his numbers weight and height too. In 2012 when drafted he stood 6-10 and was a slender 222 pounds, Davis is now 6-11 and weighs a hefty 253 pounds. Remember the talk regarding the skinny Brandon Ingram immediately after the 2016 draft? As for the numbers he’s at an all time high in his brief NBA career, nearly 30 ppg and 10.7 rebounds along with nearly 3 blocked shots.
Despite the stellar numbers the Pelicans haven’t exactly gotten off to a healthy start this season. Part of this was due to point guard Jrue Holiday being out of action early on, that plus injuries to a number of teammates. The Pelicans have only finished above .500 once since the 2012-13 season. Many believe its talent wasted on a poor team and believe its best if Davis is traded or in free-agency might choose another team. I say baloney; Davis should be the key block to a number of blocks that aid in building a better team.
