Basketball from a fans perspective
Tacko
I know Tacko Saturday doesn't rhyme but that's all I had. On Saturday afternoon I witnessed Tacko Fall in action for the first time. The 7-6 UCF center’s team was in action against Temple University. Tacko managed 17 points on 6 for 7 shooting from the floor along with 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Although Tacko weighs 300 pounds he appears (on television) to lack upper body strength. Slightly smaller players in stature and weight appeared to out muscle him at times for rebounds. He moves up and down the floor smoothly for a player his height and weight.
My notes indicate Tacko tossed in one hook shot the other scoring consisted of dunks. The report of Tacko being a poor foul shooting was not evident as he sank 5 of his 8 free throws. His stamina appeared good however UCF had such a huge lead it allowed Coach Dawkins to rest Tacko periodically as they overwhelmed Temple 77-53. UCF has another game next week which I hope to check out. Tacko Fall is light years ahead of his freshman year, it’s my view he needs to play through his junior season before he’s ready for the rigors of the NBA.
The box score
I must depend on the box score and highlights of the 52-point game by the Celtics Isaiah Thomas. I had the opportunity to view the game because it was on NBA TV. I chose a college game instead---BIG MISTAKE on my part. Every time this 5-9 dynamo does something outstanding it reminds me of the confusion in the Kings front office. The Kings traded Thomas to the Suns for Alex Oriakhi Jr. in July 2014. You ask where is Oriakhi, he’s In Turkey playing basketball for Socar Petkim. This is not to say Oriakhi can’t play, in September 2014 Oriakhi signed a contract to play for a team in Lithuania.
The Kings traded a player on their roster for a player who was only signed to play NBA Summer League, figure that one out if you can. I could be just as critical of the Suns for trading Thomas to the Celtics but they get a pass this time. Back to the outstanding game on Friday evening, if we checked the field goal percentage (.577) of Thomas it points out he was not just chucking up shots. I’m sure Thomas’s height might be a determent at times defensively however I believe his offense overshadows any shortcomings. Congratulations Isaiah Thomas.
I may have missed him
Rudy Gobert is a blossoming NBA star; I may have overlooked him at the time I wrote of NBA centers. Gobert was drafted in 2013 as an international player from France. Gobert is having a career year in the 2016-17 season raising his scoring to 12 points a game while grabbing nearly the same amount of rebounds.
No one dimensional player the 7-1 Gobert is second in the NBA in blocked shots with 2.58 per game. At this point we have no idea of his potential, it’s always been stated it takes Big Men longer to adjust to the NBA and that is the case with Gobert. He was a reserve player his first two years in the NBA, at a point last season he moved into the starting lineup permanently. His scoring and rebounding numbers are bound to increase.
Technical fouls
It was well known Celtic Coach Red Auerbach would bait referees into calling technical fouls on him, this effort sometimes even led to Auerbach being ejected. Auerbach would often use the technical to fire up his team and at times it worked. During the 2015 season the Clippers lead the NBA with a total of 84 technical fouls. This season the Clippers are slightly better, through the end of December they are third in the NBA with 31. The Knicks in second place with 35 and the Suns lead with 37 represents totals December 31. Russell Westbrook has 10 technical’s as of December 31, 6 to go until an automatic one game suspension.
Injuries
By the time this is read the players mentioned will have returned to the Laker lineup. D’Angelo Russell had been out of the lineup for weeks; Julius Randle has missed time also. Reserve Tarik Black was day to day with a sprained ankle, Jose Calderon also reserve had a pulled hamstring and was out for several weeks. Then Larry Nance Jr. goes down, will the injuries ever cease. Just when Laker fans believed the team was improving injuries crop up impacting further development.
Were the Lakers prone to injury because they are not a very good team? Strange question but consider several facts, the champion Cavs had few injuries last season. Two years ago the same scenario existed for the Warriors few if any sustaining injuries. My memory says the 2009 and 2010 Lakers had few injuries too which aided them in successive back to back championships. We can make that same statement about the Spurs who suffered few injuries in their championship seasons. It’s probably just me but it sure seems champion teams suffer few injuries what do you think?
