Basketball from a fans perspective

Disappointed but pleased

I was really looking forward to seeing Michael Porter Jr. in action, he would play all of 2 minutes scoring 2 points.  A hip injury sustained awhile back ago would keep Porter Jr. glued to the bench.  As for the game itself Mizzou beat Iowa State 74-59 as Kevin Puryear and Jeremiah Tilmon along with Jordan Barnett lead the way.  You cannot access a season on one game but a key difference from years past was quite evident.  Instead of jacking up shots from all over the floor as in the past they have an inside game.  This should be an improved Mizzou team based on an inside-outside game and a stronger presence on DEFENCE. 

He’s make his decision

R.J. Barrett 5-star and number one prospect in the Class of 2018 by Rivals and Scout.com has made his decision known.  The 6-6 180-pound guard will head for Durham next August to play for Coach K. after entertaining several high-profile programs around the country.  Barrett becomes a Dukee with his commitment on Friday.  Barrett from suburban Toronto Canada plays his high school basketball at Montverde Academy in Florida.

A new league and new team

The KC Buzz will begin play in Municipal Auditorium downtown in January a 32-game schedule is planned, all teams will make the playoffs in May.  Buzz is the nickname of the new basketball team in the brand new North American Premier Basketball League.  The league will eventually consist of 15 teams however as this is written there are only eight teams including the Buzz. 

Albany (NY) Patroons

Mesquite (NV) unnamed yet

KC Buzz

Ohio (Akron) Cardinals

Kentucky (Owensboro) Thoroughbreds

Rochester (NY) RazorSharks

Yakima (WA) Sun Kings

Seattle Knights

With NBA, college, G-League and ABA basketball available will this new league gain a toe hold with fans beyond the home cities?  In Ohio, Seattle and Kansas City league teams will compete in cities with major league sports located in or close by.  According to the league website applications have been received from Vancouver and Hawaii. 

It’s early

The NBA standings on Friday morning Nov 10 look different than many might expect in the Eastern and Western Conference races thus far this season.  In the Atlanta Division the Celtics are in first place (no surprise).  Well maybe considering Gordon Hayward played less than 5 minutes before being injured and lost for the season. 

In the Central the Pistons are in first place (surprise) the Cavs are in third place (double surprise).  In the Southeast the Magic sit alone in first (triple-surprise), as for the Western Conference it’s playing out as expected.  The only surprise is to see the Wolves in first place in the Northwest Division while the Thunder sit in last place.  Quick take, the Thunder might be adjusting to the addition of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony as for the Cavs it’s a far different matter.