Basketball from a fans perspective
He’s correct
Charles Barkley says dumb things at times, anytime he makes a statement I agree with I will say loudly----yes. Last week Barkley looking at the Western Conference said; “I could see the Clippers coming out of the West look they won’t have to face the Spurs and Warriors to advance.” Barkley is correct however there is a key to consider the Clippers better hope somebody beats the Warriors. It appears clear at least to this date the Clippers have been unable to accomplish the task.
It was reported and you can check me out the Clippers have lost seven (7) games in a row to the Warriors. Wednesday night was not no different as the Warriors ran over and around the Clippers to a 115-98 victory. Someone other than me once said; “It’s no rivalry when you never beat the other guy.” I almost forgot the Clippers did lead in one area----technical fouls, they had three to the Warriors 0.
It’s still Missouri
Kansas basketball marked a win on the date they scheduled the UMKC game. Turns out there was no way they would waltz into Allen Fieldhouse and beat Kansas, final score Kansas 105 UMKC 62 on Tuesday. The initials UMKC stands for the University of MISSOURI-Kansas City. This is not the Columbia campus however it’s still affiliated with the University of Missouri campus system. I’ve mentioned on so many occasions Bill Self refuses to play the University of Missouri at Columbia but no problem scheduling a game with UMKC.
I checked the records; Kansas played UMKC in 2001, 2007, 2008 and 2016. The games have all been played at Allen Fieldhouse which indicates a large payout for UMKC which is not the issue in my opinion. The issue in my mind is Bill Self and his damn refusal to play Mizzou in non-conference. I guess I’m barking up the wrong tree with my observation, Self has no issue playing in-state Division II Pittsburg State but refuses to play Division I Wichita State 175 miles and less than 3 hours drive time.
Speculation
We speculate or try to predict the future at times. The only area I believe might prove dangerous is at the casino and the stock market. My speculation is less dangerous, I attempt to gain knowledge of future basketball talent sometimes even at the high school level. I’ve speculated if a certain player makes it to the NBA and second to that if he becomes a star. Naturally I cannot predict a devastating injury which might cause a potential career to vanish. I first became aware of Julius Randle, Boogie Cousins, Kyrie Irving and Blake Griffin just to name a few while they were in high school. I could also add Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins to the list which is profiled below.
ESPN.com speculated on which player would have a better NBA career Jabari Parker of the Bucks or Andrew Wiggins of the Wolves. Both arrived in the NBA from the 2014 draft, an early injury caused Parker to only play 25 games his rookie year. Who’s likely to have a better NBA career is an impossible question to answer. I can only detail differences in their game. Wiggins a small forward is more a high flyer than power forward Parker. Wear and tear on the body over the course of an NBA career is the key for both. Players grow their games but coaches can also impact an athlete’s development, which issue along with the possibility of a major injury. My conclusions both are on the same plane currently and likely into the future, what do you think?
It occurred again
I can’t remember the player or the time period I do recall a terrible game. An acquaintance said; “You need to see _________ he’s really good, I think he’s gonna be an NBA player.” I tuned into the game expecting to be thrilled and boy was I let down, this guy had a terrible game. I thought “I trust the acquaintance so maybe I need to see him at another time.” That’s what occurred and the player did end up being drafted and played several years in the NBA. As for Wednesday night I’ve mentioned it’s difficult for us in the Midwest and East Coast time zones to view Pacific Standard Time games.
The Gonzaga-Washington game started at 10:00 p.m. Central. Washington Freshmen Markelle Fultz is projected to be a top five pick should he leave for the NBA in 2017. I missed the early portion of the game watching the Warriors beat down the Clippers. This one was also a beat-down and Fultz had a terrible game. The 6-4 point guard scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds but shot a poor .385 from the floor. Fultz season numbers including this game; 23 ppg, 7.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting .508 from the floor. Despite his poor shooting from the field in the Gonzaga game he could stand to work on his free-throw shooting (.656).
