Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Monday through Friday

MVP, MVP, MVP
Fans have been yelling MVP in arenas throughout the NBA for generations, last night it became official.  Thunder point guard was named 2017 NBA MVP.  Early on this writer chose "The Beard" MVP but he fell short.  My wife asked me prior to the announcement who I thought would win.  I thought, hesitated and then said to her; "I think Russell Westbrook."  Westbrook tied Oscar Robertson's Triple-Double record which just may have sealed the deal.  

I’m unsure 
Who do we credit for this bit of basketball wisdom, I believe it should be attributed to Jay Bilas of ESPN.  Late night draft the name Kobi Simmons became part of the discussion.  This one centered on the possibility the Arizona Wildcat might not be Bilas went on to state; “NBA teams do a good job talking to players, they inform them whether they believe they are ready for the rigors of the NBA.”  

Sure enough despite the apparent talent of freshmen Simmons he was not drafted.  Simmons cannot return to Arizona because his name remained in the pool long past the date he could have withdrawn his name and returned to Arizona.  Late word on Sunday night indicated Simmons will sign a free-agent contract with the Grizzlies.  Here’s hoping he makes the Grizzlies roster however there is no guarantee.

Animal House
The Cavs are not quite as bad as the 1978 movie classic Animal House but really close.  I don’t believe we’ve witnessed a team two years removed from a championship this dysfunctional.  On second thought the 2004 Lakers of Shaquille O‘Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Gary Payton might be close.   No way in the world that Laker team with four future Hall of Fame players should lose a championship but they did.  The Bulls Jimmy Butler has been told “You don’t want to play for the Cavs” this comment by a present Cavs player.  Management states former GM David Griffin was not fired his contract wasn’t renewed.  

Further stories floating about indicating LeBron is out after 2018 be it the Clippers or Lakers. Chauncey Billups had a second interview for the GM position but has made no comment on whether he takes the job.  All this chaos going on while owner Dan Gilbert sits back pondering the confusion he‘s created or maybe he doesn‘t.  As this was being finalized came word of a possible 3-way trade where the Cavs would trade Kevin Love and acquire Paul George.  On second thought maybe Quicken Loans Arena has become the 2017 version of Animal House. 

Class of 2018
We mentioned Torrence Watson earlier, who else is on Mizzou’s radar you ask?  The list of prospects is not extensive due to the present and incoming number of players.  In addition Mizzou possibly losing the Porter brothers or Tilmon is also a possibility.  

Brandon Johns 6-7 forward East Lansing (MI)
Marcus Bingham 6-9 forward Grand Rapids (MI)
Alex Lomax 5-11 point guard Memphis
K J Hymes 6-9 forward Phoenix (AZ)
Jordan Lathon 6-4 point guard Grandview (MO)
Christian Bishop 6-7 forward Lees Summit (MO)

Great Expectations
This has nothing to do with the 1861 Charles Dickens novel however it does involve Sixer fans and their view of the 2017-18 season.  Center Joel Embiid, small forward Ben Simmons who missed last and rookie Markelle Fultz provides you a glimpse as to why Sixer fans are so excited.  How excited you ask well the team has sold 14,000 season tickets which guarantee every Sixer home game in the upcoming season will be sold out.  If we look toward the future of the NBA Eastern Conference we can see the Cavs trending downward while the Sixers are trending upward.