Basketball from a fans perspective

No problem

Next Friday (Nov 10) Mizzou kicks off the Cuonzo Martin era versus Iowa State. The game will be played at Mizzou Arena and will be available on the SEC Network.  The following Monday the Tigers will face Wagner College out Staten Island (NY), this game will also be played at Mizzou Arena and will be available on ESPN2.  As for the coach in nine years at Missouri State, Tennessee and Cal he’s had only one losing season.  

It should also be of note his teams played in post-season tournaments in seven of the years he’s been a head coach.  Off the court this coach has dealt with a life-threatening illness, Martin is a 20-year Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor.  The road traveled has been life-changing for the kid who grew up in East St. Louis (IL).  Four knee surgeries and a pro career that never panned out however he is in a word a true survivor   

“I don’t get no respect”

Lonzo Ball’s lament might be that of Rodney Dangerfield, the late comic and actor had a catch phrase made famous in his stand up comedy routine.  At some point in his monologue he would say; “I don’t get no respect” which became his calling card.  I find this most interesting former athletes provide Lonzo Ball far more positives than fans and several in the media.

I have no explanation except to believe part of the negatives toward Lonzo stem from the public’s view of his father. Former athletes in their commentary are not tossing soft balls regarding Lonzo, most have stated “he needs to work on his funky shot or he’s needs to be more aggressive.”  I’ve yet to hear any former athlete on TNT, ESPN and NBA TV express a negative comment regarding Lonzo.  I’ve yet to hear anyone claim Lonzo doesn’t belong in the NBA. 

Dicky V speaks

College basketball analyst Dick Vitale is 78 years old.  He’s been around the game for a considerable number of years.  At the same time, he’s been called an apologist in the past for ignoring many of the problems facing college basketball.  That was the former Dick Vitale, the Vitale preparing for the 2017-18 college season is signing a different tune.  One never “bits the hand that feeds it” however he’s been vocal on the fact the game needs to be cleaned up.  Those are his words not mine, it will be interesting to discover how he intends to approach the issue during college games later.  

6-10 point guard?

Magic Johnson arrived on the scene as 6-9-point guard it's believed Magic was to become the tallest point guard in NBA history.  Seeing the success of Magic years later the Magic would draft 6-7 Penny Hardaway.  The NBA became enamored with tall point guards or forwards such as Scottie Pippen with the ability as Dick Vitale would say “Pass the rock.” 

It was evident early 6-10 Ben Simmons had greater than usual ability to distribute the  basketball.  When drafted by the Sixers we believed he would move to a small forward position, this was based on the team later drafting point guard Markelle Fultz.  Coach Brown indicated during the summer Simmons might play “some at the point.”  We are early in the 2017-18 season Fultz is sidelined due to injury and guess who’s playing the point and effectively?

The return

“The return” might appear to be the title of a horror film, it could be a horror for those attempting to defend the current edition of NBA big men. This subject has been reported previously however it’s quite evident this young season.  In a manner like the NFL or MLB basketball changes too.  We’ve been informed by Charles Barkley and others “A JUMP SHOOTING team cannot win an NBA Championship.”  The Warriors prove that observation was not correct in 2015, they won again in 2017. The emphasis on the Big Man’s game would become less important in the future of the NBA. 

That’s sort of become true however the emergence of a Rudy Gobert at Utah or a Karl-Anthony Towns with the Wolves says something completely different.  Certainly, Hassan Whiteside of the Heat and the continued development of the Pistons Andrew Drummond point out Big Men have not left the game.  We cannot close this discussing without mentioning “Trust the Process” Joel Embiid.  The Big Man’s game will never ever disappear, it will evolve however if there are 10-foot baskets and 7-foot Big Men…..the emphasis on developing center play will continue.