Basketball from a fans perspective

Speculation

I’ve indicated in the past I sometimes believe I’m the king of speculation.  This is one of those times that says I wonder if __________, let’s proceed with this account.  Delving back a few years Lester Earl was a 6-foot 8 inch forward at Kansas University, he played there from 1997-2000.  Son Jeremiah Robinson-Earl plays at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park Kansas. 

The youngster is the same size of dad 6 foot 8 220 pounds, as for his high school its location is metro Kansas City (MO).  Jeremiah is a Rivals 5-star prospect in the Class of 2019 and guess who is actively recruiting him?  Yes, you guessed it Coach Cuonzo Martin and Mizzou, possibly “stealing” a potential talent right under the nose of Bill Self.  Incidentally Kansas is recruiting the young person too.

Calm down fans

Mizzou lost a tough game at Arkansas 65-63, they had a shot at the end of the game but missed.  I believe other than playing at Kentucky, Arkansas’s Bud Walton Arena might be the second toughest place in the SEC for an opposing team.  I’m not making excuses, if Mizzou had gotten off to a better start they might have been on the other end of the score. Mizzou was down 18 points at a period they came roaring back and should have won the game. 

As for Mizzou fans, cool it with the complaining, a loss of this manner is tough to take but we are in rarified air.  Consider last years team won 8 games the whole of last season, Mizzou’s won 12 games as we approach the middle of January.  This team is still a work in progress, don’t grow weary in losing close games…they are on the path to becoming a competitive team.  No time for further tears we need to prepare for Tennessee on Wednesday.

Can he play in the NBA

That remains a question for 7-foot 6-inch Tacko Fall and NBA scouts.  Scouts are often seen in the stands attempting to gauge the youngsters’ ability and grasp of the game.  Tacko from the African nation of Senegal is light years ahead of his freshman year at Central Florida.  His scoring average has risen from 7.4 to 10.9 and is 11.6 as this is written, rebounds have risen from 5.9 to 7.2 per game. 

Despite his height and 294 pounds he lacks strength and appears stiff, he often has difficulty to grasp the ball in rebounding.  The other issue I noticed despite his bulk 294 he appears to have difficulty at times establishing a firm position on the offensive end.  Games I’ve witnessed have seen smaller opposing players often weighing less “move” Tacko around.  Is the game too speedy for Tacko, he will discover the NBA game is even faster.  At this point I’m unsure if the NBA is in his future, he could wind up in Europe but if it’s the NBA he’d strictly be a specialist. 

The Sixers have moved ahead 

It’s clear at this point the Sixers are still a work in progress, it should be noted the Sixers and Lakers were wallowing in the lower echelons for several years the Sixers have moved slightly ahead in the win column to date.  They moved ahead of the Lakers by drafting talent (Embiid, Simmons, Covington etc.) they managed to infuse into their lineup.  The 2017 draft begins Magic Johnson’s time at managing this team.  Added during the draft were Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and others.  It’s far too early to determine their success as this is written, we must wait to establish their value to the Lakers this season and into the future.         

In 2016 the tandem of Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss chose Brandon Ingram who appears on the road to becoming a successful NBA player.  As for the last five NBA drafts that’s been a different matter.  In 2015 with the second pick in the first round the Lakers chose point guard D’Angelo Russell (since traded to the Nets), in the 2014 draft with the 7^th pick in the first round of they chose Julius Randle.  In 2013 the Lakers had no first-round choice however Ryan Kelly from Duke was added in the second round.  2012 witnessed the Lakers with no first-round pick chose center Robert Sacre from Gonzaga in the second round. 

In 2011 they had no first round pick however there were four picks in the second round.  Working backwards not one player is on the roster from 2011, Robert Sacre 2012 pick would gain play in a reserve role but he’s gone as well as Robert Kelly (2013).  As you can see under the Kupchak/Buss tandem only Brandon Ingram ((2016) and Julius Randle (2014) remain on the roster.  Contending is more than simply acquiring draft choices its trades and free-agents something the Lakers under the previous management group failed.  I’m not going to look at who the Lakers could have drafted my point is to provide Laker fans and others a complete front-office housecleaning was necessary.