No excuses
I read a letter in the KC Star and I thought it unbelievable. The writer was upset because many across the nation were making negative comments regarding the Kansas win over K-State. As for me my objections to Kansas basketball lay in two areas those obnoxious Kansas fans and the coach. As for the coach this has nothing to do with his won-loss record which is exemplary
it’s his refusal to play Wichita State and Mizzou. The letter writer discussed the blatant travel that allowed Kansas to beat K-State 90-88. He didn’t deny an error he indicated ’those who hate Kansas basketball have one more example to use.’ It’s likely the writer will never read this however I’d like to offer a rebuttal. I don’t require events such as this example to have issues with Kansas basketball; it’s the fans---man it‘s the fans.
Laker center Timofey Mozgov is reported to have said he misses Cleveland and still has love for his former team. I’m unsure how Laker fans might feel but I have no issues with his statement. Mozgov was only in Cleveland two years so I’m sure his feelings might be mixed. He left an NBA Championship team for one which is striving to reach the playoffs.
I have no idea of team relations maybe the Cavs players were friendlier than his Laker teammates I have no clue. One positive in Mozgov’s favor over that in Cleveland is time on the court. Mozgov is playing extensive minutes in Laker colors something that didn’t occur much after Tyronn Lue took over the coaching reins of the Cavs. This is no criticism of Lue, Mozgov was returning from injury and the new coach may have believed they gained more mileage with Tristan Thompson in the lineup.
My concern
By now you are familiar with the Isaiah Austin story, he was the 7-1 center believed to be a 1st round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. A physical exam determined despite playing in high school and two years at Baylor it was discovered Austin had a heart condition Marfan syndrome. Late in 2016 Austin announced his doctor had given the “ok” to resume basketball activities. Despite his announcement I continued to have concerns.
On Sunday Austin announced he signed with FMP a team in the Basketball League of Serbia. Red Flag number one, the NBA symbolically drafted Austin in 2014 yet with the December news not a single NBA made any overture. Red Flag number two, an NBA D-League team could have signed him too yet that failed to occur too. It would be great if we could accomplish those life events that please us. Sometimes what we desire is impossible to achieve.
Bits n Pieces
Semi Ojeleye had the GPA which allowed him to attend Duke, that’s the good, the bad he became lost in the numbers at the Durham campus. It’s my belief he never got the opportunity to fully demonstrate his talent. Transferring to Southern Methodist has proven beneficial to him as he‘s become the team leader in scoring and tied for lead in rebounding. Ojeleye was red-shirted last season and is listed as a junior so it’s possible he has at least two years of eligibility remaining.
Talk about coming full circle how about this story. Jaron Rush who many consider the best high school basketball player ever in the KC Metro was headed to Kansas to play for Roy Williams. Somewhere along the line he changed his mind and headed to UCLA and would leave after his freshman year for the NBA. Rush was never drafted, fast forward to the present day son Shea is at North Carolina playing for guess who?
According to Google Maps its 5.3 miles from Madison Square Garden to Barclays Center via 7th Avenue about a 36 minute drive. What about the distance in the hearts and minds of New Yorkers between the two franchises? In the weak Eastern Conference neither team is likely playoff bound although the Knicks have an outside chance. Without a finger on the pulse of the city this is what I believe, Knick fans remain faithful despite their continuing disappointment. Nets fans love having a team inscribed with Brooklyn across the front of the jersey dating back to the days of the Dodgers.
I’m convinced of this statement and it doesn’t matter if were talking high school, college or the NBA. The team falling behind by double-digits usually comes up short at the end. I believe the team trailing expends much more energy attempting to catch up they simply run out of energy toward the end of the game. Of course this is not written in stone; sometimes that team attempting to overcome the deficit sometimes is able to gain the victory.
