Basketball from a fans perspective
It’s started
NBA basketball is back if it’s only exhibition games, I was anxious to see the “new” Lakers and Lonzo Ball in action. The Wolves won the Saturday evening contest beating my Lakers 108-99. Leading the way for the Wolves was Taj Gibson, Karl-Anthony Towns and especially Shabazz Muhammad. Former free agent and Los Angeles guy Muhammad led the way scoring 22 points off the bench.
The Lakers were led by Kyle Kuzma’s 19 points off the bench, as for Ball his first game (not counting Summer League) he didn’t shoot particularly well. Ball’s line read 5 points, 8 assists 7 rebounds and 2 steals. I know, we are just weeks into the NFL season and the World Series is yet to be played. Despite the NBA sharing headlines with other sports I’m excited once again to see NBA basketball on my television.
Un-retired
It’s the return of long-time UConn Coach Jim Calhoun; yes its likely true although not yet official. The University of St. Joseph is located in West Hartford (CT). Calhoun is not inheriting a job rather building a brand-new program which will compete as a Division III team. Interesting the school has announced he’s been hired as a “consultant” although ESPN’s Jeff Goodman claims it’s as coach. In any event this move will not take occurs until 2018, whatever the capacity welcome back coach.
Is there room?
Laker Owner Jeanie Buss says there will be a statue of Kobe Bryant placed outside Staples Center, she indicated no time frame but the statement caused me to smile. My question is there room for another statue considering there are already seven erected. Currently in place are:
Magic Johnson
Wayne Gretzky Kings
Oscar De La Hoya boxer
Chick Hearn Laker broadcaster
Jerry West
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Shaquille O’Neal
On a serious note Staples is a large arena, despite the number of statues already in place its likely there is room for at least one more. I hadn’t thought about this subject until I begin writing this account. Not a single Clipper anywhere despite the fact they share the building with the Lakers.
The rivalry games
I’m unsure except in a few instances rivalry games likely exist more in football than basketball. Conference foes face one another twice during the season in basketball in football its only once. In this part of the country a rivalry game meant Kansas-Mizzou however the game no longer exists with Mizzou’s move to the SEC. How about Duke-North Carolina or UCLA-USC? Oklahoma and Texas are football rivals I’m unsure if this rivalry carries over to basketball.
Georgia-Georgia Tech might be another that’s more tailored toward football than basketball. How about Xavier-Cincinnati there’s a real basketball rivalry if I’ve ever seen one. Iowa-Iowa State might be another that football is in the lead over basketball. I’m unsure who first said it however; “In order for a true rivalry to exist one team must beat one another occasionally. We cannot make that statement regarding Kansas and Kansas State, K-State has experienced little success facing Kansas over the last several years. Mizzou has yet to establish a SEC rival I thought it might be Arkansas the two share a border.
