Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Monday, Wednesday and Friday May-September

Allow me to catch up

A short vacation and I feel as though I missed “weeks and weeks” of action.  First the bad, yours truly predicted the Celtics over the Cavs.  I’m not going to provide you the basis for this most grievous error let’s just say I messed up.  As for the game vacation schedule prevented me from viewing the game so only the final score, Cavs 87 Celtics 79.  For the Rockets-Warriors series, the Rockets played a good first half the problem there are two halves to a game.  Final score Warriors 101 Rockets 92. 

Donte who?

Leading into the 2018 basketball season we believed Villanova would be good.  Returning to the team were NBA prospects Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson and a guy nobody knew Donte DiVincenzo.  Well he wasn’t exactly hidden few were aware of his presence except the coaching staff and the Villanova faithful.  DiVincenzo remained somewhat invisible until the NCAA Tournament, that would be his coming out party.  He was selected Sixth Man of the Year in the Big East which says he didn’t register starter minutes during the season.  After Villanova secured the NCAA Championship the entire world knew the name Donte DiVincenzo. 

He did what he does, emerging from the Villanova bench he led the way in his teams’ championship win scoring 31 points which included 5 three-point baskets, 5 rebounds 3 assists and 2 blocked shots.  Not bad for this red-shirt sophomore who would likely play starter minutes if he’d chosen to remain in school.  After his outstanding game and being selected NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding player the NBA called.  The 6-foot 5-inch shooting guard received an invitation to the draft combine but didn’t hire an agent.  Yesterday he announced his decision, he’s hiring an agent which certainly says the NBA’s gain is Villanova’s loss.  We are unsure what role he will see in the NBA however time will tell. 

Left out again…this time with an explanation

Recently the field of teams for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge were announced.  For the second year in a row Mizzou would not be one of the participating teams, there was an explanation that made it okay.  “What may seem like a snubbing — given the Tigers are coming off their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013 — is instead something that has been set in stone since before the 2017-18 season. Then, the SEC announced that the 10 teams from the conference competing in the 2018 challenge would also compete in the 2019 challenge. Missouri was not among the 10 teams in the 2018 challenge.”

The Missourian

Say what?

Did you realize Skechers manufactured basketball shoes?  If you were aware of this fact you are likely ahead of most of us including this writer.  Skechers decided to sue Adidas for false advertisement and several other charges.  The suit was probably based on the on-going justice department investigation of college basketball and the fact to date Adidas is the only identified shoe company. 

The question might be why other than notoriety, according to news reports Skechers is just a blip on the radar among shoe companies.  2017 sales figures point to the fact Nike owns 73.5% of the basketball shoe market followed by Under Armour 12.1%, Jordan Brand (Nike) is 7.8% and Adidas is 4.8%.  Where was Skechers you ask in the Big Picture, somewhere but likely a microscopic sales participant.   

Let’s discuss this

As this is written LeBron James and the Cavs are still in a fight for a championship.  It’s an appropriate time to discuss pending free agency for him.  Lakers Nations fan website indicates there are two possible destinations for LeBron, the Lakers or Sixers.  From the standpoint of ready to win right now the Sixers would be the better destination for him.  We’ve explored this issue in the past and my view has not changed. 

The Lakers as mentioned are the second youngest team in the NBA, they could certainly benefit from the steady hand of a LeBron James.  The downside to a LeBron James in the Lakers lineup is stunting the growth of this young team.  I could see these youngsters “standing around” waiting for LeBron to either take the shot, drive to the basket or distribute the ball.  The Sixers are a playoff team currently the Lakers are yet to reach that level.