Basketball from a fans perspective
He is the Heat
No one represents the Heat more than Dwayne Wade although he played briefly for his hometown Bulls and later the Cavs. In our heart of hearts, we never saw him in any jersey other than that of the Heat. After contemplating his future for two months he’s decided to return to the Heat for season 16. This final season 2018-19 will see him ride off into the sunset, next stop the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Massachusetts.
Pacific Standard Time
Oregon and more specifically the University of Oregon are on Pacific Standard Time. If it’s 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. in the middle part of the nation its 7:30 or 8:00 there. The dilemma for us in the Midwest time zone affords us little opportunity to view Oregon games except on weekends and maybe NCAA play, they are too late night for us. As for me and basketball Dana Altman was able to recruit 7-foot 3-inch 235-pound Bol Bol to his roster, Bol is the son of the late Manute Bol who played in the NBA from 1985 through 1996.
Oregon and more specifically the University of Oregon are on Pacific Standard Time. If it’s 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. in the middle part of the nation its 7:30 or 8:00 there. The dilemma for us in the Midwest time zone affords us little opportunity to view Oregon games except on weekends and maybe NCAA play, they are too late night for us. As for me and basketball Dana Altman was able to recruit 7-foot 3-inch 235-pound Bol Bol to his roster, Bol is the son of the late Manute Bol who played in the NBA from 1985 through 1996.
The elder Bol arrived on our shores from Sudan (now South
Sudan) although he stood 7 feet 7 inches was a 3-point specialist and shot
blocker. Manute the father seriously
lacked the skill of son Bol, although he was much taller. Bol Bol has developed an all-around game beyond
that of his father. The question, will
the son continue to improve his game beyond Oregon? That question will be answered at some future
date. You might remember Bol Bol first
came to our attention playing at Bishop Miege High School in suburban Kansas
City.
Football or basketball…. which is easier?
I’m not stating to play the sport, both require different skill abilities. I’m referring to building a program or rather re-building one. A portion of this is opinion alone I offer little if any facts to back-up my supposition. Example, a college football team can recruit the number one quarterback in the nation to their team. Until the team can build an effective offensive line and defensive team they are going nowhere. We could make the same statement regarding a 5-star running back or wide receiver, until all the pieces are in place the team suffers. On the other hand, a basketball team could experience several losing seasons in a row.
I’m not stating to play the sport, both require different skill abilities. I’m referring to building a program or rather re-building one. A portion of this is opinion alone I offer little if any facts to back-up my supposition. Example, a college football team can recruit the number one quarterback in the nation to their team. Until the team can build an effective offensive line and defensive team they are going nowhere. We could make the same statement regarding a 5-star running back or wide receiver, until all the pieces are in place the team suffers. On the other hand, a basketball team could experience several losing seasons in a row.
The basketball team recruits one or two above
average players and with depth return to a winning scenario. How am I able to pose this question, I look
at Kansas football and Mizzou basketball?
At least to this point I believe David Beaty is a good football coach,
the problem is recruiting and filling holes.
Since 2015 Kansas football is 3 wins and 34 losses and all of it might
not be Beaty’s fault. As for Mizzou
after several losing seasons in basketball they managed to turn the corner last
season with a 20-13 record. A far cry
from the previous 27-win 68 loss seasons of the past.
Break-out year
As a Laker fan I’m excited, not just to see LeBron James in purple and gold. I’m excited to see Brandon Ingram in what I believe will be a break-out year. When he first arrived in the NBA the pundits said; “At 190 pounds they will break him in half.” He’s about to begin year three and he’s gained little if any weight, I have a theory certainly unscientific. A weight gain is not always beneficial to and for an athlete, in Ingram’s case he might be a “Kevin Durant” type.
As a Laker fan I’m excited, not just to see LeBron James in purple and gold. I’m excited to see Brandon Ingram in what I believe will be a break-out year. When he first arrived in the NBA the pundits said; “At 190 pounds they will break him in half.” He’s about to begin year three and he’s gained little if any weight, I have a theory certainly unscientific. A weight gain is not always beneficial to and for an athlete, in Ingram’s case he might be a “Kevin Durant” type.
A skinny guy who gradually gains weight over the
course of his career. I believe the
addition of LeBron James on the wing and Lonzo Ball at the point will allow
Ingram to continue growing his game.
Ingram raised his scoring from 9.4 to 16.1 points per game, in fact all
his numbers across the board were up over his rookie year. Laker fans should look toward the 2018-19 season with excitement, we are on the way back.
