Basketball from a fans perspective
Published Monday-Friday
Game 5
What do you expect in the game tonight might be the question of the day. This portion of the report is written 4 hours in advance of tonight's tip-off. I’m unsure about you but this is what I expect. The Cavs will play as if their hair is on fire for most of the first quarter, slowly the Warriors will climb back into competition and continue to the end of the fourth quarter.
According to ESPN.com an individual paid $133,000 for two court side seats. This was a match for the ages from two highly talented and competitive teams. 71 points scored in the first half and the Warriors appeared to be on the way. It was a combination of Warrior baskets, Cavs misses and TO’s that contributed to the Warrior lead. In the second half the game became a heavyweight championship bout as each team registered knockout blow after blow. Neither team was never able to deliver the knockout; J.R. Smith had a game for the ages as he hit crucial 3-point baskets to allow his Cavs to remain in the game.
A guy by the name of LeBron James almost registered a triple-double as he scored 41 points along with 13 rebounds and 8 assists. I cannot leave out Kyrie Irving as well with his drives to the basket. The key in my view was the Warrior bench, Andre Iguodala and company was so much better than the Cavs reserves. Final score Warriors 129 Cavs 120. I cannot close without a comment on MVP Durant and Steph Curry who were instrumental in the Warriors victory.
The “Ben Simmons” factor
I stated earlier Mizzou basketball has been on an upward trend since March. In late May leading into early June we have no idea what the future holds for the basketball program. Naturally we hope it’s all positive however that’s an unknown. You question the Simmons factor mentioned in the headline. “All-World” Ben Simmons arrived at LSU expected to lead them to the Promised Land. We had no doubt of his talent however a strange thing occurred on the road to an NCAA Championship.
LSU under achieved for most of the season and most of had nothing to do with the talented Simmons. Later we discovered film crews followed Simmons throughout his freshman year and reports indicate there were teammates upset with the media coverage showered on Simmons. It’s undermined until October but the question, will there be cameras following Michael Porter Jr. 24/7? If not him then maybe its high profile Jeremiah Tilmon who becomes the focus. Those questions and others cannot be answered at this time the hope is everyone is well adjusted and plays good basketball.
Rumors
About two weeks from now we’ll discover who the Lakers choose with the number two pick. We could be surprised but no where close to 2015; you remember that draft don’t you? All signs pointed to the Lakers selecting Jahlil Okafor and the actual choice was D’Angelo Russell. Fast forward to 2017 media reports indicate Lonzo Ball “didn’t wow” the gathering in his Laker workout. Several sources claim the specter of LaVar Ball might over shadow the prospect of Lonzo being drafted.
Whether it’s the Lakers or somebody else LaVar Ball will not be a factor Lonzo’s potential is the real deal. The question might be by whose standards; Magic Johnson “appears” to be sold on the youngster and is in his corner. The only gambling I do these days is to drive the various Interstate highways surrounding the Kansas City Metro as for the draft I say it’s a 75% chance the Lakers choose Ball. As for the others Josh Jackson is at 20% and all others 5%. If it turns out I’m wrong you have a belly laugh on my account, enjoy.
What’s old becomes new again
KeyArena in Seattle opened in 1962; it was renovated in 1964 and again in 1994-95. Renovation is the name of the game in an effort to attract an NHL/NBA team. Three groups were involved in arenas proposals for the city and the mayor chose the “Refurbishers.” That’s what I’m calling the team of Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer Celtics minority owner David Bonderman and Tim Leiweke the principal movers on this endeavor.
The projected cost of the plan is reported to be $564 million dollars and should be complete by October 2020. As for seating the “new” arena would host 18,350 for NBA games and 17,100 for the NHL. It’s anticipated the NHL would take the lead unless a team applies for relocation. The mayor will present the Oak View group to the city council. Chris Hansen leading one of the other groups which includes Seahawk QB Russell Wilson intends to remain in the picture.
