Basketball from a fans perspective
Which one, which one?
Laker General Manager Rob Pelinka will be involved but I believe Magic Johnson will have the final say. The final say in who the Lakers should chose in the 2017 NBA Draft. Unclear at this point if they have a top three pick in the first round, the 27 pick is guaranteed unless they trade it. In the second round the Lakers are likely to have the 33rd pick. Metta World Peace will be gone at the end of the season so another roster spot will open. .
The ’elder’ statesman on the roster less MWP include Luol Deng (31), Swaggy P. (31) plus Timofey Mozgov and Cory Brewer age 30. If the Lakers draft three players or even two a veteran presence is still required they cannot afford to cut everyone over 30. My best guest Mozgov remains because of his contract and Brewer with his defensive presence. That leaves Deng and Swaggy P. on the outside with the Lakers drafting a small forward and a point or shooting guard.
Bits n Pieces
University of Missouri-Kansas City won its first tournament game ever against Green Bay; UMKC playing in the CBI Tournament won their game 92-82. The school moving from NAIA to Division I has never qualified for a post-season tournament until 2017. Congratulations to Coach Kareem Richardson and his UMKC squad no matter how far they travel. The coach has the team headed in a direction fans, the administration and alumni can be proud of.
I probably shouldn’t be writing on this matter. Two motor mouths Charles Barkley and Lavar Ball might face off on the basketball court. The other day Ball claimed ‘I could have beaten Michael Jordan.’ Barkley’s friend took exception and is suppose to have issued a challenge to Ball. We are anxious to witness two fat guys huffing and puffing on the court.
Mizzou fans are wondering, Rivals 5-star prospect and Missouri native Michael Porter Jr. was headed to Washington. Porter Jr. verbally committed and transferred to a Seattle school for his senior year. His dad had been hired earlier as an assistant coach by Lorenzo Romar. The dominoes began falling, Romar is terminated at the end of the season and Michael Porter Sr. likely has no job. Question why should Jr. remain at a school that fired the coach who recruited him?
The first family (of broadcasters)
In this instance I’m not referring to the White House family it’s the Albert family. You know them the eldest Marv has been a long-time NBA broadcaster for Turner Sports. Prior to that he spent an incredible 37 years broadcasting Knicks basketball. His younger brother Al broadcast Nets and Nuggets games, in addition during the time the NBA was on the USA Network Al was the voice for the national broadcast.
There is a third brother Steve has done play by play for a number of NBA teams and currently is the Suns broadcaster. We are unsure of the other brothers however Marv has a son Kenny in the broadcast world too; he’s handled a number of sports including the NBA. The salute to the Albert family the first family of sports broadcasting.
The fallout
Every time there is coaching change much turmoil is generated. That’s what faces Mizzou basketball in the 2017-18 season. As for those on the court Russell Woods is the lone senior on the team which could work in favor of Cuonzo Martin. The downside of this issue the roster by October 2017 could look totally different from what we see currently. How many of the 13 remaining players return--depends on Martin.
I believe there is a semblance of talent on the roster and depending on whom remains there might be building blocks. Although he left under a cloud of suspension Frank Haith was able to retain most of Mike Anderson’s players. This move certainly allowed Haith to begin his first season productively. 2017-18 will be a challenging season because a great deal of pressure will be placed on the shoulders of Martin. I must believe he knew the challenge when he took the job. I’m looking forward to Mizzou Arena becoming a ‘real’ home court again.
