Basketball from a fans perspective

He’s First Team All-American

USA Today writers Scott Gleeson and Lindsay Schnell project their All-American Team for the 2017-18 season.  Guess who made their first team, 6-10 Michael Porter Jr. of Mizzou.  MPJr will not step on the court officially until Friday, consider this he might not play at an All-American level.  I wondered about the number and names of Mizzou All-Americans of the past.

Melvin Booker 1994

Anthony Peeler 1992

Doug Smith 1990

Derrick Chievious 1987

Steve Stipanovich 1983

Jon Sunvold 1983

Rickey Frazier 1982

Willie Smith 1976

John Brown 1973

Coach Norm Stewart 1956

Why now Bobby Knight?

John Wooden retired at UCLA at the end of the 1975 season, his UCLA team winning another national championship.  The legendary coach died in 1999 at the age of 99 and the question is why now Knight?  It’s been 42 years since Wooden last coached and 18 years since he died, Knight believes now is the time to besmirch the Wooden name and legacy.  In a radio interview the former Indiana coach claims “He respects Wooden but questions UCLA’s association with Sam Gilbert.” 

You can conduct your own research however it was said at the time many talented players were steered toward UCLA due to Gilbert’s effort.  There were whispers but never any investigation conducted by the NCAA.  The 2017 NCAA is a far different than the NCAA that existed in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s.  I'm not naive there may have been under the table payments or some other inducement provided to UCLA players by Gilbert or other parties.  With the passage of time I ask the question again why now Bobby Knight?    

Dropped in out the sky

That’s not quite correct Kyle Kuzma didn’t literally drop out of the sky however he did arrive in the NBA a relative unknown.  The Laker rookie has surprised thus far in the early season, most of us (including this writer) had never heard of him.  Unlike many who get paid I didn’t question the choice believing the Lakers had done their homework and Kuzma “might be able to play.”  When we discuss Pac-12 basketball UCLA, Oregon and Arizona might be mentioned, unless you follow the conference most of you probably had no idea Utah was in the Pac-12.  In any event Kuzma from Flint Michigan received offers his senior year of high school Mizzou making an offer. 

Kuzma arrived in college as a 6-6 175-pound player, currently he’s 6-9 and is 220 pounds light weight for a power forward.  Kuzma makes up for the weight differential by being swift up and down the court.  He’s got great leaping ability which benefits him playing with a skill passer such as Lonzo Ball.  He’s in the starting line-up due to the broken hand of Larry Nance Jr., will he remain in place?  Only time will tell however believing both players games are similar although I’d give a slight edge to Kuzma in the shooting department.  At the end is the disclaimer, he’s a rookie this is no guarantee of future success however this late 1st round pick has all the earmarks of a very servicable player.        

Speaking of the Lakers

Much as ESPN tries to hype tonight’s Celtics-Lakers game it ain’t happening.  Thanks to several good draft picks and trades the Celtics are way in front in this rebuilding process.  My hope is the Lakers play competitive basketball and don’t embarrass themselves.