Basketball from a fans perspective

I’m back
Although the vacation was short I was still able to recharge the “batteries.”  Previously I’ve left the city but continued publishing.  Thanks for your patience and welcome back to Words eye view.       
Mizzou-Kansas news
These stories broke while I was on vacation.  Don’t be surprised, you will not locate Brooks Ford's name on any top basketball prospects for 2018.  Who is Ford, he’s the son of Travis Ford St. Louis University head coach.  Mizzou with no scholarships available finds the youngster coming into the fold as a walk-on.  This is noteworthy on several levels, first it’s the coach’s son headed to another’s program.  Secondly most don’t realize while a player Travis Ford played at Mizzou.  Malik Hall a 6-foot 8 inch forward and 4-star prospect in the Class of 2019 is yet to decide.  Despite no conclusion Hall managed to reduce his number of schools to five, eliminated were the Kansas Jayhawks.  Still in the running for Hall’s services are Oklahoma, Michigan State, Oregon, Texas and Purdue.      

They don’t believe
Laker forward Kyle Kuzma took exception to media members who downplayed the Lakers outlook for the 2018-19 season.  Yes, there have been wholesale changes the biggest one adding LeBron James.  The teams record over the last four seasons, they won 21 slid back with 17 wins.  Two years ago, it was a 26-win season followed by 35 in 2018.  Despite a veteran presence now they have “veteran” youngsters such as Kuzma and Brandon Ingram. 

I continue to believe Lonzo Ball will improve, perhaps he’ll never be a great shooter, but he can become a good shooter.  I’d mentioned previously his offensive numbers at UCLA were satisfactory, in addition to raising his field goal average he needs improvement at the free-throw line.  Health is also a key issue Ball must become more durable, he managed to play but 52 games his rookie year.  Behind every youngster there is a veteran presence, no NBA championship in 2019 but improvement is certainly projected. 

Winning basketball
For a few schools winning is an established tradition while a coaching change was the formula for others.  Let’s check out examples, we say Duke basketball and we automatically think winning basketball.  Apart from the 1960’s under Vic Bubas Duke basketball experienced both highs and lows, they won but also experienced losing seasons.  Once Coach K. was hired winning has become every season thing.  On the other hand, Kansas has experienced few losing seasons, under a succession of coaches beginning with Phog Allen in 1907 the won-loss record of Kansas is exemplary.  The record details three NCAA championships in the school’s history.

We could make a similar statement regarding North Carolina basketball, beginning with Frank McGuire in 1953 through the 2017-18 season under Roy Williams.  Carolina basketball has usually been a winner season after season.  UCLA basketball might be considered pathetic prior to 1948, that was the year legendary John Wooden was hired.  Since that hire through a succession of coaches UCLA basketball has meant winning.  This account would not be complete without mentioning Kentucky and its history.  From Adolph Rupp to John Calipari, Kentucky’s won 8 NCAA championships under 5 different coaches.  As usual this account should not be considered complete, there are schools that may have been overlooked which is not intentional.