Basketball from a fans perspective

Laker news

The Lakers bought out the contract of Corey Brewer, they did this allowing the 11-year veteran to sign with a playoff team.  The prevailing thought is he’s likely to sign with his former college coach Billy Donovan now with the Thunder.  All indications point to the fact Brewer was the complete teammate and he offered veteran leadership in the clubhouse.  This move will allow the Lakers to continue the youth movement.  We can never be sure what goes through the mind of LaVar Ball, this story we can refer to as horse caw-caw. 

Remember awhile back he was saying to all in hearing distance: “Luke Walton has lost this team, nobody wants to play for him.”  I cannot say whether the story has any validity this I do know, as this is written the Lakers win total stands at 26 games.  That's not anything outstanding unless you consider have 6-8 weeks remaining in the regular season.  The 2016-17 Lakers won 26 games, what's that you say LaVar, we can't hear you, speak up please.      

Wouda, shouda, couda 

This is a whine and cheese account, the only problem you get no cheese but plenty of whine from yours truly.  As I’ve indicated maybe the idea is to create discussion however the local sports talk guys have been quite brutal at times discussing Mizzou basketball.  Consider this tidbit, if we compare Mizzou’s 2017 record to 2018 they are night and day difference.  Losing two-point guards through transfer impacted the overall record, not having Michael Porter Jr. available stymied the teams won-loss record. 

Although he wasn’t playing major minutes the same could be said for point guard Terrance Phillips dismissed from the team.  I did a quick re-count and believe there are six games Mizzou lost they should have won, there could be more.  Let’s say Mizzou wins half of those games, instead of a 19-11 record as it is currently they would be 21-8 or 22-7.  According to USA Today Mizzou basketball ticket sales has risen to $5 million over last seasons $3 million.  I think that covers just about everything I can whine about related to Mizzou you can return to your regular reading. 

2019 Free-Agency

ESPN writer Ramona Shelburne claims instead of 2018 the Lakers might be looking at 2019 free-agents.  This is written in February several very talented players will be unrestricted free-agents in 2019.  Of course, it’s likely a number might have “Bird Rights” so they can command a larger salary from the home team than the Lakers.  

Paul George

Klay Thompson

Karl-Anthony Towns

Kristaps Porzingis

Hassan Whiteside

Those are just a few of the potential free-agents I believe would fit on my team.  Many other talented players such as Carmelo Anthony and Zach Randolph would also be available however they and others are on the downhill side of their careers. NOTE:  This was written prior to the Porzingis injury.      

Communication rather than basketball
Over the years I’ve had an opportunity to witness several former players and coaches become television and radio analyst for NBA and college games.  A number become very good while others let’s just say they were good basketball players and coaches.  For me its more than just blabbering, you must have the ability to effectively communicate.  For these purposes I excluded sideline reporters.  The list contains studio, color analyst or play by play members.  Rather than profile the bad one’s I will simply salute the individuals who I believe are insightful for the game.

Chris Webber

Kenny Smith

Reggie Miller

Doug Gottlieb

Dick Vitale-former coach

Clark Kellogg

Hubie Brown-former coach

Barry brothers (Brent and Jon)

Grant Hill

Jeff Van Gundy-former coach

As with any list this doesn’t start and stop here there are several others omitted.