BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

When I’m right I’m right

You might want to re-read the September 27 edition of Words eye view and the take on Kyrie Irving.  All summer there was talk Irving was considering the Knicks as an option.  I wrote how it didn’t really make a great deal of sense based on some issues.  My belief was the Celtics were a great deal closer to a potential NBA championship than the Knicks.  The breaking news on NBA TV Thursday evening “Irving intends to sign a contract with the Celtics.”  I certainly am not the least bit surprised, are you?  

I received my answer

Not intending to dwell on Liddell however I had a question, as reported the Mizzou prospect committed on Monday to Ohio State.  Much earlier Ohio State had received a commitment from Alonzo Gaffney who plays the same position as the 6-foot 7-inch Liddell.  I read a Buckeye fan website over-night indicating the plan is to play them as “twin-power forwards.”  This concept worked successfully with the NBA Spurs (David Robinson & Tim Duncan).  As for the NBA Rockets of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson we can debate how affective the twin concept worked.  If it appears I’m stating the hypothesis won’t work for Liddell and Gaffney far from it, adjustments and sacrifices must be made by both. 

Heads up 

Overheard at Laker practice LeBron James, “You like your nose”?  The teammate: “Yeah”, LeBron: “You’d better look up when I’ve got the ball.”  This reminds us of Magic Johnson’s rookie year with the Lakers back in 1979.  It was reported one day during a scrimmage a teammate was hit in the back of the head by a Magic pass, after this incident it was reported teammates begin to keep an eye on Magic after this.  One more bit of information, according to StubHub demand for Laker tickets has risen 427% since July.  That’s an exorbitant number and clearly attributed to LeBron’s arrival in Los Angeles, the figure is far beyond what anyone might have expected or even believed possible.  It’s clear whatever the Lakers pay LeBron over the next four years will certainly be re-cooped.

Rookie of the Year  

Clutchpoints.com list their choice of sleepers for NBA Rookie of the Year.  Among the names mentioned was Michael Porter Jr., seeing his name caused me to smile.  Mizzou fans never had the opportunity to experience the "real" MPJ.  A back injury and surgery caused him to miss the 2017-18 season short of the 3 games he managed to play.  

Once the draft rolled around a few NBA teams had questions regarding MPJ's surgically repaired back.  Originally projected in the top five we witnessed him slide down to number 14 and the Nuggets.  At this point a question still exists, it was originally believed MPJ would sit out the 2018-19 season to fully heal.  I certainly have no medical expertise as I've often stated, I believe the best course for MPJ is to sit out the season.  What do you think, the Nuggets appear to have drafted him believing he might no be able to play immediately.?