Basketball from a fans perspective

Facing the giant

The Mizzou Tigers faced 7 foot 6 inch Tacko Fall and Central Florida on Thursday evening.  It must have been unusual for 6-11 Jeremiah Tilmon to see an opponent taller than him for the first time since elementary or middle school.  Despite giving up inches to Tacko the “shorter” Tilmon managed to hold his own against his taller opponent.  Tilmon registered 12 points 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots during the contest.  Kassius Robertson and Jordan Barnett tied for the team lead each with 19 points.  As for Fall he scored 12 points and had 6 rebounds but failed to block any shots although he managed to provide effective intimidation around the basket. 

The final score read Mizzou 62 Central Florida 59 and the first road win for the Tigers in, wow I can’t remember.  NOTE: Completing this account early Friday morning the St. Louis Post-Dispatch indicates the win on Thursday broke a 36-game road losing record.  There was an additional incident to report, just when you believe you’ve witnessed everything unusual to occur you see that ONE more.  Late in the game Mizzou received a technical foul, the coach told Tilmon to return to the floor.  Instead of checking in Tilmon gracefully walked on the court and was immediately given a technical.  In fairness the coach probably said; “Get in there” and Tilmon did as the coach instructed. 

An adjustment period…. maybe

Sekou Smith contributor for NBA TV made this statement after the Sixers win over the Wizards.  “I didn’t think Ben Simmons would adjust this quickly to NBA play I expected it would be the second half of the season.”   At this point the only shortcoming of Simmons to date has been his below average free-throw shooting (.566).  His issue from the line witnessed the Wizards employing an old tactic. 

The Wizards employed “Hack-a-Simmons” tactic on him, he went to the line a staggering 29 times sinking 17 shots (.517).  1.  “Ben Simmons set the NBA single-quarter record for free throw attempts with 24 in the 4th quarter.”  In addition to slowing the game it’s been my belief (I have nothing to back this up) it appears the team employing this strategy appears to come up short and it occurred in this game 118-113.  In 41 minutes Simmons scored 31 points, and snatched 18 rebounds along with 4 assists.        

1.  ESPN Stats & Info

Name changes

News report indicate actor, producer and director LaVar Burton wants all to know he’s not LaVar Ball.  It appears a percentage of the public believes the two are the same person, no follow-up if Burton plans on changing his name which occurred in the basketball world at one time.  Jay Williams current ESPN analyst and former Duke player believed it was necessary for a change. 

Enrolled at Duke he played as Jason Williams and Jayson Williams was a former NBA player turned analyst.  Jayson was involved in a fatal shooting of his limo driver which he claimed was an accident.  Duke’s Jason Williams must have thought it would be advisable to change his name to avoid any confusion since he submitted his name for the 2002 NBA draft.  The deadly shooting involving Jayson Williams occurred in February 2002 four months prior to the draft.   

I might have been tough on Rivers recently

If it sounded as if I was critical of Doc Rivers recently it was correct, allow me to explain.  I’m unsure which end of the floor the Griffin/Rivers/Ball scramble occurred.  I imagine it was on the far end of the court from Doc Rivers when questioned after the game he should have had a simple response.  “The play was on the other end of the court I must review the video before commenting” should have been River’s response.  This Rivers chose to blame Lonzo Ball when the finger should have been pointed at his son.