Basketball from a fans perspective

It was bound to occur

I’ve tried to avoid commentary on LaVar Ball, why do we continue to place microphones in his face.  The question how long would the father remain silent about anything connected to son Lonzo.  LaVar held his peace if possible all of 10 games, we have another 72 games remaining unless the Lakers make the playoffs which is doubtful.  

Bleacher Report is the culprit this time they must have tripped over other media people to be the first to record his words.  LaVar is not pleased with Luke Walton’s rotation as it relates to his son.  I am not going to debate Walton’s coaching ability the jury (Laker management) makes the final call on that one.  I might have an opinion however it is just that the same as LaVar Ball.  I'm going to hope in the future the media quits placing a microphone or tape recorder in front of him.     

He’s ballin’

Can Kristaps Porzingis play at the NBA level, you better bet he can.  Maybe I’m not the best source to access his game, why not ask Stephen A. Smith.  The YouTube video below provides an assessment by Smith in the weeks and months after the draft.  As this is written Porzingis is coming off a 40-point game placing him in the Bernard King/Carmelo Anthony neighborhood.  I didn’t say he was there yet, repeat Porzingis is only in year three but “He’s ballin” despite what Smith first said regarding his talent level.  Sunday night Porzingis led the way to victory over the Pacers with a 40-point 8 rebound game shooting .625 from the floor.  You know what to do with the link below. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3-hrykbA8w  

 Not looking forward to this

I failed to check the University of MO-Kansas City’s schedule and now that I that first game is scary.  UMKC kicks off its season on Friday November 10 facing a very formidable foe.  The Kangaroos travel some 200 miles down I-35S to play Wichita State, I never desire to place a game in the win column ahead of time but there might be exceptions.  Wichita State is in the Top 10 in most of the pre-season polls, so you can see where I'm headed with this one.  

It’s no different…. well I guess it is

You move from defending figuring it’s over and discover you are right back at the same point.   That’s the position of yours truly Larry Laker, for the past maybe five years I’ve defended Kobe Bryant when the haters would appear either writing unflattering articles or making statements I believed were incorrect.  In 2016 Kobe retired and no more requirement to defend Kobe Bean Bryant.  Along comes Lonzo Ball and I’m forced once again to a defense posture.  Today an acquaintance knowing my Laker allegiance said to me.  “You think the Lakers were losers on this deal (drafting Ball). 

In a firm but assertive voice I stated I continue to believe he can play in the NBA.  The issue for me is not his shooting it’s his passiveness, I heard someone say, “I don’t care if he takes 20 shots and only sinks two.”  I can agree that would indicate he’s trying, if you only take two shots playing a full game well what can I say.  Finally, another jewel to consider.  Ball is not Jason Kidd but check this out from his rookie year with the Mavs.  7.7 rebounds a game outstanding, however he shot .385 from the floor 11.7 points per game scoring average.  Don’t get this twisted I will repeat again I’m not saying Lonzo Ball is comparable to Jason Kidd, I believe six or seven games fails to make a season.     

The NBA is far different

One of those things you know but dawns on you, the Knicks and Nets both called NYC home. The same could be said for the Clippers and the Lakers who also share the same arena.  In the NFL the Jets and Giants are New York teams but play in different conferences.  The same scenario in baseball we have the American League Yankees and the National League Mets.  I have no idea how the borough loyalty lines are drawn, this I do know Mets fans or not Yankee fans and vice-versa.  In Chicago the National League Cubs share the cities allegiance with American League Cubs. 

Depending on where you grew up in Chicago influences which baseball team becomes your fan favorite. I cannot verify this, but I’ve been told the Giants and the Jets only face one another every four years.  With inter-league play now a part of baseball I’m not sure how often the Cubs play the White Sox, or the Yankees play the Mets.  Do we count the American League Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with the National League Dodgers as teams sharing the same market?  I guess we could, Anaheim is certainly not in Los Angeles although we could say it’s in the greater Los Angeles Metro.  The point I’m attempting to make unlike the NFL or MLB NBA teams in NYC and Los Angeles oppose each other on a regular basis.