BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
Things that make you say……
It sure didn’t seem it was that long ago; comedian Arsenio Hall left the airwaves in 1994. The Arsenio Hall television program contained a monologue by the host with a portion dedicated to unusual news. Hall would begin by saying “Things that make you say hmmmmmmm”. Home or away doesn’t matter in Kansas City we don’t receive Thunder games on NBA TV, games are blacked-out here.
Things that make you say……
It sure didn’t seem it was that long ago; comedian Arsenio Hall left the airwaves in 1994. The Arsenio Hall television program contained a monologue by the host with a portion dedicated to unusual news. Hall would begin by saying “Things that make you say hmmmmmmm”. Home or away doesn’t matter in Kansas City we don’t receive Thunder games on NBA TV, games are blacked-out here.
The Kansas City
metro is nearly 350 road miles and 5 hours’ drive time from Oklahoma City, we
are deemed in the Thunder footprint. This
is the real confusing part of the story the blacked-out games are available on
Fox Sports Midwest through our cable and satellite services. Thunder games on TNT/ABC or ESPN home and away
are always available for viewing in the Kansas City television market. I guess it’s just one of those things that
make you say hmmmmmmmmm.
Markelle who?
We don’t often know the whereabouts of Markelle Fultz, this we do know. We know the location of rookie point guard Landry Shamet, he’s providing valuable minutes off the Sixer bench. I wonder if Sixer fans really miss Fultz with the quality playing time the Kansas City native has received since his arrival. Tuesday evening Shamet emerged from the bench and begin dropping shots left and right, he was the high point man with 29 points. This effort led the way to a 132-115 victory over the Wizards.
We don’t often know the whereabouts of Markelle Fultz, this we do know. We know the location of rookie point guard Landry Shamet, he’s providing valuable minutes off the Sixer bench. I wonder if Sixer fans really miss Fultz with the quality playing time the Kansas City native has received since his arrival. Tuesday evening Shamet emerged from the bench and begin dropping shots left and right, he was the high point man with 29 points. This effort led the way to a 132-115 victory over the Wizards.
I’m sure Sixer fans
were surprised last June when the team drafted Shamet. They had Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons at
the point backed up by Markelle Fultz. Point
guard T.J. McConnell was backing those two which meant Shamet would become the 4th
reserve at the point. That’s not the
role Shamet probably saw himself, in addition Fultz is a mystery. Brett Brown sings the praises of his rookie
point guard stating he’s not lacking in confidence which makes him that much
more valuable. We have no idea at this
juncture what the future holds for Shamet however I look on with pride at this
Kansas City youngster.
His choice
It seemed every time Paul George touched the basketball Laker fans booed. I wasn’t present in Staples but if I’d been there, I would have been seated quietly and groaning. I would have been groaning every time George made a shot. The vitriol aimed at George is based on the perception by a few Laker fans who didn’t appreciate George not meeting with the Lakers after last season.
It seemed every time Paul George touched the basketball Laker fans booed. I wasn’t present in Staples but if I’d been there, I would have been seated quietly and groaning. I would have been groaning every time George made a shot. The vitriol aimed at George is based on the perception by a few Laker fans who didn’t appreciate George not meeting with the Lakers after last season.
He’d made all kinds
of noises about wanting out of Indiana and the Lakers. The Pacers did the smart thing they traded
George before he could walk away. He was
quiet all last season and then July 1 free-agency occurred. George indicated he was comfortable in OKC
and with his team, so he signed with them and remained in place. As I indicated earlier, I was okay with the
decision made by George. If Paul had
tripped LeBron James or spiked Kyle Kuzma’s Gatorade I could understand booing him.
He’s ready
Sometimes we might consider the word of a player more valuable than a scout, here’s an example. Someone scouted Michael Olowokandi, this scout convinced the Clippers he was worthy of a number one pick. We could mention the name of Shawn Bradley or Kwame Brown we discover couldn’t play successfully at the NBA level. Each of these high draft choices was scouted by someone who indicated they had a tremendous upside.
Sometimes we might consider the word of a player more valuable than a scout, here’s an example. Someone scouted Michael Olowokandi, this scout convinced the Clippers he was worthy of a number one pick. We could mention the name of Shawn Bradley or Kwame Brown we discover couldn’t play successfully at the NBA level. Each of these high draft choices was scouted by someone who indicated they had a tremendous upside.
At the time a player
speaks, we tend to listen more intently than a media person, we hear you Vince
Carter. The man nicknamed “Half-Man, Half Amazing” at the time he
first arrived in the NBA. Carter is now
42, he doesn’t have near the hops he once did however he provides us
words. He says Zion Williamson “Will be ready for the NBA” whenever he
arrives. At 6 foot 7 (or 6) and 285
pounds Carter says Williamson already has an NBA body.
