Basketball from a fans perspective
There are signs
The Lakers Brandon Ingram started slowly this season, his shooting was off and he appeared lost on defense and offense at times. I’ve always believed in a baptism of fire, you cannot learn how to play in the NBA sitting on the bench. Luol Deng being in and out of the lineup has aided Ingram on the other hand maybe he’s just maturing. Over the last 10 games Ingram’s scoring average has raised to 12 points a game not earth-shattering but above his 8.4 average.
During this span Ingram has seen his field goal average rise to .476 above his .375 season average. Noteworthy has been his increased defense presence. I’m not sure of the future however I believe the Lakers have two building blocks in Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram in a return to playoff basketball. Notice I didn’t include D’Angelo Russell in the “building block’ category, I see glimpses but I’m reserving judgment at this point.
I’m tired
Can Mizzou beat anybody, well it certainly wasn’t Ole Miss they lost once again 75-71. The Tigers now stand 5-13 and 0-6 in the SEC, Mizzou fans are counting the number of remaining games till March 4th the last game of the season. It won’t come immediately but there will be a coaching change within weeks. I’m tired of losing, I’m tired of reporting on losing I’m just plain tired. I promise you unless there is something eventful (a win) this will be the last report prior to the coaching change.
Hope he’s okay
Joel Embiid suffered a left knee contusion in the Sixers game Friday evening. Despite that fact the Sixers managed to squeeze by the Blazers 93-90. Embiid’s line read 18 points, 10 rebounds along with 5 assists and 4 blocked shots. This total was accomplished in 22 minutes on the court. 19.9 ppg, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots for his season average. Embiid wouldn’t play Saturday evening anyway since he doesn’t play back to back games.
NBA players and me
In my lifetime I’ve had an opportunity to meet a number of former NBA players; all were retired but live in in the KC Metro. Clay Johnson was a 6-4 shooting guard who attended high school here and later played at Mizzou. From 1982 through 1984 he played one season for the Lakers and one for the Sonics. He returned to Kansas City and went into business. 6-7 Scott Wedman was a small forward; drafted by the Kings in 1974 he later played for the Cavs and Celtics. Wedman would become an NBA Champion playing for the Celtics. After a 12-year career he moved back to Kansas City where he operates a real estate business. The late Sam Lacey might have been one of the most underrated centers of the period.
It’s easy to understand; Lacey arrived in the NBA of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. Nightly he dueled with Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Nate Thurmond, Moses Malone, Darryl Dawkins and Bob Lanier among others and most times performed admirably. After leaving the Kings he played until 1983 when he retired. Lacey returned to Kansas City and became involved in a number of community activities. His death at 65 was a shock to NBA fans especially those in Kansas City. Once while returning home from Dallas I met and held a conversation with Danny Manning in the DFW Airport. At the time he was a member of Bill Self’s coaching staff. We held a brief conversation and I asked for and received an autograph from the former NBA veteran.
