The words above are in a neon sign
outside the offices of LeBron James in Los Angeles. My desire was for Words eye view was to focus strictly on basketball, since that time
I’ve discovered there are occasions which reach beyond the basketball court,
this is one of those times I believe warrant a change. Fox News host Laura Ingraham said recently:
“Keep the political commentary to yourself.”
She made this regarding a statement made
by Cavs forward LeBron James. I might
not agree with the political views of LeBron James however I respect the right for
him to express his view. We have several
folks who tend to believe athletes have no say so in the social fabric of this
nation. I say Ingraham and others are
totally wrong, I would state we are first citizens and then basketball players
or stockbrokers or computer specialists.
Hmmmmm
Arsenio Hall had a catch phrase on his
former late-night television variety and talk program. He would tell a story and then say: “These
are things that make you go hmmmm.” In
this instance there is only one thing that makes me go hmmmm, what position
does he play. I’m referring to a Kansas
City Star story on E.J. Liddell the top target for Mizzou in 2019. Liddell is a Rivals 4-star prospect and attends
Belleville East High School in Belleville Illinois. The city is about 20 miles from East St.
Louis Coach Martin’s former home town.
I referenced the Arsenio Hall phrase
because of this portion of the story. “Liddell’s height
has made him tough to project as a college player. He is too short to be a
power forward or center, and he doesn’t have the skillset of a wing.” I haven’t witnessed Liddell in person or on
television however he must be playing power forward or center. At 6 feet 7 inches and 225 pounds it appears
Liddell could be a shooting guard, no requirement to handle the ball in the
manner of a point guard. The Star
reporter certainly didn’t mention that possibility.
5 feet 9 inches
Isaiah Thomas is the shortest player in
the NBA, that’s today he's not the shortest in the leagues history. Muggsy Bogues who stands 5 feet
3 inches tall holds that record. My team
has acquired players in the past I wasn’t particularly thrilled to have part of
the team. At this point we can insert
Dwight Howard’s name. Thomas certainly
has an offensive game his height causes defensive problems. From my perspective the Lakers have little if
any problem scoring the basketball the issue is on the defensive side. Before I get too bent out of shape the future
for Thomas must be determined. His
contract will expire at the end of the season and we shall see what his future
holds, until then I will refrain from further commentary.
The coach
With 200 wins it should be significant to look-back at Mizzou Coach Cuonzo Martin’s coaching career. In 10 years at various stops Martin registered only one losing season, that would occur in his first year at Missouri State, the 2008-09 Bears finished with an 11-20 record. Two negatives regarding this coach, they say “he’s not a great X and O coach” or “He certainly has changed jobs a great deal.” Well let’s explore both declarations.
With 200 wins it should be significant to look-back at Mizzou Coach Cuonzo Martin’s coaching career. In 10 years at various stops Martin registered only one losing season, that would occur in his first year at Missouri State, the 2008-09 Bears finished with an 11-20 record. Two negatives regarding this coach, they say “he’s not a great X and O coach” or “He certainly has changed jobs a great deal.” Well let’s explore both declarations.
It’s hoped assistant
coach Chris Hollender along with other members of the staff will aid Martin and
the Tigers now and into the future. The
issue of changing jobs has been dealt with in the recent past. A quick response might be Martin was never in
danger at any point of being fired.
Moving from Missouri State to Tennessee was an upward bound move, as for
his move from Tennessee to Cal that’s a little more difficult to explain. It was reported for unexplained reasons many
of the Vols legion of fans were pining for Bruce Pearl. They loved Pearl despite the fact NCAA violations were registered.
It’s his decision
I believe Michael
Porter Jr. has come to a decision, I think if the medical staff gives him the
okay to play for Mizzou he’ll be on the court.
No doubt there is concern on his part “what if I re-injure my back or
suffer another injury?” That certainly
is a possibility but its also a risk he plans on taking. Why…. he’s a player who loves the game and
only the back injury has kept him from doing what he does. I had issues at the time Porter first expressed a desire to return but I'm okay now.
