Basketball from a fans perspective

Mizzou’s All-Time team   
Often when you attempt to compile an All-Time list you omit a few very talented players.  I excluded Larry Drew, Kim English and Kareem Rush to name just a few, no players from 1920 through 1970 was selected.  Mizzou has certainly had its share of talented athletes in the recent past.  We often use success in the NBA as the mark of accomplishment which I believe is unfair.  My list was somewhat easy I chose Mizzou athletes who were selected on All-American teams.  There are six names that come to the forefront in discussing Mizzou basketball.  See if your list matches mind. 

Willie Smith 6-foot 2-inch point guard 25.3 points a game in 1976 leading Mizzou to a Big 8 championship.  Second team All-American (1976)

Steve Stipanovich 6-foot 11-inch center, his senior year (1982-83) averaged 18.4 points a game, Big 8 player of the Year.  Second team All-American (1983)

Derrick Chievous 6-foot 7 inch forward, Mizzou’s All-Time leading scorer (2,580 points), Second team All-American (1987)

Anthony Peeler 6-foot 4-inch guard, McDonalds All-American, Third Team All-American (1990), Second Team All-American (1992)

Doug Smith 6-foot 10-inch forward, Second Team All-American (1990), Second Team All-American (1991)

Jon Sunvold 6-foot 2-inch shooting guard, Second Team All-American (1983)

“What’s in a name?”  

Juliet asks the question in Romeo and Juliet, we ask the question now.  The names of sports teams important to its fans sometimes have unusual origins.  Example; it was mentioned previously the New Orleans NBA franchise wanted a name closer identified with the city.  Pelicans replaced the Hornets which arrived with the franchise from Charlotte.  Of course, the original franchise the New Orleans Jazz moved west to become the Utah Jazz.  The owners decided to maintain the name although I doubt if there are more than a handful of nightclubs in Salt Lake City featuring jazz.  The franchise could have been named the Dukes, Crescents, Pilots, Cajuns, Blues, Deltas and Knights a contest in 1974 decided in favor of Jazz which certainly reflected New Orleans.      

As for the Sacramento Kings that story is just as interesting, born as the Rochester (NY) Royals in 1945 the team maintained the name through a move to Cincinnati in 1957.  In 1972 the owners decided to move once again, Kansas City would become the new home however a new name was required.  The baseball Royals began play in 1969 and the prevailing thought: “We can’t have two Kansas City Royals teams."  A name change once again and the NBA team was re-named "The Kings." The Wizards franchise was once known as the Bullets, at that time Baltimore was their home.  They maintained the name once the team moved into the District of Columbia area.  Much later the former owner believing bullets was not a good name, bullets promoting violence, so the name was changed to the Wizards.      

He’s made his choice      

Yuat Alok a 6-11 forward committed to TCU recently, Alok is enrolled at Chipola College in Marianna Florida 70 road miles from the capital Tallahassee.  Although Alok was born in Kenya his family moved to New Zealand when he was a youngster.  Alok is a sophomore at Chipola and was exploring a 4-year college to attend. 

It is hoped Alok can transfer his junior college skill (12.4 points per game and 7 rebounds) to the Division I level at TCU.  He’s got one skill lacking in most big men he can shot from the free-throw line to the tune of .820.  The question how did he arrive at TCU?  Thunder center Steven Adams played for Jamie Dixon while he was enrolled at Pitt, Dixon has since moved on to TCU.  Adams also from New Zealand recommended his former coach to Alok.    

I never said he couldn't play  

This morning (or last night) highlights were shown of the Pistons-Blazers game.  on ESPN's SportsCetner.  Even more noteworthy was the statement made by the host after the highlights.  He said: "The Pistons are 4-0 since Blake Griffin arrived in trade, in addition their team per game scoring has risen four or five points."  I don't know about you however I don't remember ever claiming Griffin couldn't play or wasn't talented.    

The continuing Griffin problem over the course of his NBA career has been his health, i.e. remaining injury free.  From my memory all the injuries suffered to date have occurred on the court apart from the incident with the Clipper trainer.  I'm unfamiliar with the Pistons roster beyond Griffin and Andre Drummond, do they have enough to earn a playoff berth this season?  We shall see how this plays out for the future.  

 

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