Basketball from a fans perspective

The other brother

Bet you didn’t know this, “little” brother Jontay Porter is larger than Michael Jr.  Jontay stands 6-11 to MJPJr.’s 6-10 in addition he tips the scales at 240 pounds compared to his brothers 210.  Jontay was also a 5-star prospect by every site around the country.  We’ll find out next spring however there is a high degree of probability Jontay might be enrolled in the fall of 2018.  Jontay expressed a desire to play alongside his brother in college…..something that is highly unlikely in the NBA. 

Our focus has been on MJPJr as well it should be however “little” brother is liable to impact Mizzou basketball just as much.  If Jontay doesn’t this season surely it will occur in the 2018-19 season.  He’s not the last Porter who might be in a Mizzou uniform. Coban is a 6-3 shooting guard at Father Tolton High School in Columbia, he’s in his sophomore year.  If his brothers are any indication its likely Coban is still growing and certainly will exceed his present height.    

In the words of Snoop Dog

“LaVar Ball has placed Lonzo in the lion’s den with pork chop drawers on.”

We are not sure

Is Sixer rookie Ben Simmons a 6-10-point guard or small forward?  During the summer Sixer Coach Brown indicated Simmons might play the point at times.  With only five games played the stats indicate he’s leading the Sixers in assists with 7.4 a game.  ESPN’s stats list Simmons as a point guard although the depth chart page shows him as the teams’ starter at small forward.  Perhaps it’s not as critical a subject as detailed here, the apparent topic Simmons can play at this level.

Your definition is……..

I had one of those conversations that will remain forever unresolved.  This is written after Lonzo Ball’s second NBA game which was considerably better than game one.  I mention this fact to a co-worker and his response was interesting.  “I’m not sayin’ he can’t play I just don’t think he’s gonna be a superstar.”  I smiled and walked away pondering his statement.  I assume in my co-workers’ mind unless you play at the LeBron or Kobe level your skill is called into question.  I thought for moment about several point guards past and present we could ask the question; “are they or were they superstars?” 

What about the “Little General” Avery Johnson? I think we might find it difficult to refer to Johnson as a superstar yet as the point guard he helps guide the Spurs to the 1999 NBA Championship, in addition he was key to many playoff wins of the Spurs. We could look at Jason Kidd he never won a championship but was a key to playoff runs by the Nets and Mavs in the eyes of many is considered one of the best at the point.  I’ve never read anyone refer to him as a superstar.  How about today’s point guards, Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas?  They are all good point guards but are they superstars?  I believe all those mentioned were/or very good without labeling them. 

Changed the game

Several players over the century have changed the game, their play forced the NCAA and NBA to institute rule changes.  A number below are generally accepted by most basketball fans without realizing some player was so dominate they forced change. 

George Mikan and Bob Kurland-1945 defensive goal tending

George Mikan-1951 free throw lane widen

Wilt Chambelain-1964 widen even more in the NBA

Wilt Chamberlain-1956-free throw plane, Chamberlain would toss the ball toward the basket cross the plane before it hit the backboard snatch it and dunk it.  A player cannot cross the line until the ball hits the goal or backboard. 

Lew Alcindor-The “Alcindor Rule” was instituted in the NCAA, from 1967-1975 the dunk was banned in college basketball.

It should be of note apart from George Mikan who stood 6-10 the players mentioned are 7-feet plus in height.