BASKETBALL FROM A FANS
PERSPECTIVE
It’s all Walton’s fault
The late game on Thursday had the Lakers facing the Thunder, in OKC no less. After losing to the two worst teams in the NBA (Knicks, Cavs) at home do I dare take a chance and watch the game? I think I will find something else to do for the evening, after watching a couple of series on Netflix about 10:00 p.m. or so while channel surfing, I checked TNT. I discovered the game was tied in OT but thought, “They can’t beat OKC on the road.”
It’s all Walton’s fault
The late game on Thursday had the Lakers facing the Thunder, in OKC no less. After losing to the two worst teams in the NBA (Knicks, Cavs) at home do I dare take a chance and watch the game? I think I will find something else to do for the evening, after watching a couple of series on Netflix about 10:00 p.m. or so while channel surfing, I checked TNT. I discovered the game was tied in OT but thought, “They can’t beat OKC on the road.”
No need of watching it, the Lakers
can’t beat the Thunder at home with no LeBron or can they? Yes, they can evidently, rising early Friday
morning I almost went into cardiac shock when I discovered the final score was Lakers
138 Thunder 128. Have I mellowed on Luke
Walton, we are reading owner Jeanie Buss has his back, Magic and Pelinka must
do a great sales job to move Walton at this point?
I don’t wish to get too excited
The Mavs teen prodigy has proven just that, Luka Doncic in a loss against the Spurs Doncic scored 25 points along with 8 rebounds and 8 assists. He’s been as good as advertised prior to the June 2018 draft. Exactly what can Doncic not do, well at this point not a great deal. The Mavs are slightly better (15 wins last season) versus 20 wins as this is written. Doncic does have a clear advantage, he arrived on an NBA team he could be inserted into the starting lineup immediately.
The Mavs teen prodigy has proven just that, Luka Doncic in a loss against the Spurs Doncic scored 25 points along with 8 rebounds and 8 assists. He’s been as good as advertised prior to the June 2018 draft. Exactly what can Doncic not do, well at this point not a great deal. The Mavs are slightly better (15 wins last season) versus 20 wins as this is written. Doncic does have a clear advantage, he arrived on an NBA team he could be inserted into the starting lineup immediately.
Every season
Two guarantees, the sun will rise in the east and set in the west, the second guarantee the two largest universities in the state will turn out team’s worthy of being classified in the upper tier of collegiate teams. As this is written the University of Michigan has 17 wins and 0 losses and is number two in the nation, the Michigan State Wolverines have won 15 of its 17 games and number 6. After several head coaching stops John Beilein arrived at the University of Michigan in 2007. Since his arrival the school’s won 265 games and earned an NCAA berth all but 3 years.
Two guarantees, the sun will rise in the east and set in the west, the second guarantee the two largest universities in the state will turn out team’s worthy of being classified in the upper tier of collegiate teams. As this is written the University of Michigan has 17 wins and 0 losses and is number two in the nation, the Michigan State Wolverines have won 15 of its 17 games and number 6. After several head coaching stops John Beilein arrived at the University of Michigan in 2007. Since his arrival the school’s won 265 games and earned an NCAA berth all but 3 years.
There are 49 road miles separating the
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor from East Lansing home of the Michigan
State Spartans. These Spartans are
coached by Tom Izzo on the job since 1995, although his teams have tasted as
much success as Bielein he’s got an NCAA championship on his resume. Izzo’s Spartans have won 588 games during his
tenure, one additional note regarding Izzo.
The long-time coach has never left the State of Michigan coaching, first
coaching stop was a Michigan high school.
Izzo then moved to Northern Michigan University as an assistant and
later Michigan State as an assistant and then becoming head coach.
What?
Former Bulls great Scottie Pippen made a statement the other day. He said (and I paraphrase) “Zion Williamson should withdraw from school immediately.” Pippen stated Williamson will likely be the top choice in the June draft (correct) however possible injury might negate that prospect. This is my quick take, Pippen is partially correct, and injury suffered at Duke could prove devastating. If Williamson wanted the NBA, he should have gone the route of a couple of others, the Knicks Emmanuel Mudiay is the first name that comes to mind.
Former Bulls great Scottie Pippen made a statement the other day. He said (and I paraphrase) “Zion Williamson should withdraw from school immediately.” Pippen stated Williamson will likely be the top choice in the June draft (correct) however possible injury might negate that prospect. This is my quick take, Pippen is partially correct, and injury suffered at Duke could prove devastating. If Williamson wanted the NBA, he should have gone the route of a couple of others, the Knicks Emmanuel Mudiay is the first name that comes to mind.
Mudiay was signed, sealed and
delivered to SMU until he backed out in favor of overseas play. Thon Maker and someone whose name escapes me
joined the NBA after their 5th year of high school ball but prior to
age 19. My reading of the Pippen
statement leads me to believe Williamson should turn in his equipment and begin
training for the NBA. I believe we can
all understand Pippen however I’m sure those surrounding Williamson surly
advised him on the dangers of playing college basketball.
