BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
I’m back again
Luke Walton is likely a good man, I’m not sure if he’s the coach for this Laker team. As we approach the All-Star break the Lakers are one game below .500. In a sense they are a better team than last season, at the same time with LeBron James added to the team more was expected. At the time the Lakers fired Byron Scott and replaced him with Luke Walton I believed it was a good move. Old school Scott lost the ear of the team, it appears new school Walton has lost the ear of the team too.
Luke Walton is likely a good man, I’m not sure if he’s the coach for this Laker team. As we approach the All-Star break the Lakers are one game below .500. In a sense they are a better team than last season, at the same time with LeBron James added to the team more was expected. At the time the Lakers fired Byron Scott and replaced him with Luke Walton I believed it was a good move. Old school Scott lost the ear of the team, it appears new school Walton has lost the ear of the team too.
Who replaces Walton, there are a bunch of
former coaches not named Phil Jackson?
It might be easier to tell you who the Lakers shouldn’t hire versus who
they should. At one-time I believed Tom
Thibodeau would be a good hire, after being fired twice (Bulls, Wolves) I’m not
so sure. Jason Kidd, George Karl, Mike
Brown, Fred Hoiberg and Scott Brooks are due a flyover, they should not be
hired. Those I believe might work,
ESPN’s Mark Jackson alone with Jeff Van Gundy and Tyronn Lue. There might be a name or two that escapes me
but there it is. Let’s just say I
wouldn’t be surprised if Walton were fired.
Could this be the Knicks
next season?
Knick fans have a right to be upset, this team has steadily drifted downward over a period. As this is written they have but 10 wins in the 2018-19 season. They are the worst team in the NBA I don’t believe anyone who follows the NBA would disagree with that statement. That’s the negative, the positive is fresh faces in old places, at the time training camp opens in late summer this is the starting team. Imagine the Knicks win the draft lottery, if that should occur you know what happens?
Knick fans have a right to be upset, this team has steadily drifted downward over a period. As this is written they have but 10 wins in the 2018-19 season. They are the worst team in the NBA I don’t believe anyone who follows the NBA would disagree with that statement. That’s the negative, the positive is fresh faces in old places, at the time training camp opens in late summer this is the starting team. Imagine the Knicks win the draft lottery, if that should occur you know what happens?
They draft Zion Williamson and the 6-foot
6-inch 280-pound power forward moves immediately into the starting lineup. On the other wing 6-foot 10-inch Kevin Durant
whom they picked up in free-agency, as for the other front court position. That’s currently occupied by DeAndre Jordan
and there is no guarantee he resigns.
Waiting in the wings is wunderkind Mitchell Robinson still very raw but
appearing a willing pupil eager to learn post play. In the backcourt is Dennis Smith Jr. at the
point and Alonzo Trier at the shooting guard.
What to do, what to do
Kansas basketball is missing the presence of Udoka Azubuike inside, not his scoring as much as his defense and the ability to clog the lane by this 7-foot 270-pound center. He was only able to play 7 games after injuring his hand which required surgery and out since early December. According to information Azubuike will be able to return next season ready for action. The question becomes does he return? The question is posed because two other collegiate players sidelined for the season have indicated they are headed for the NBA. On the other hand, Kansas could attempt to red shirt him, he played a small number of games in the 2018-19 season.
Kansas basketball is missing the presence of Udoka Azubuike inside, not his scoring as much as his defense and the ability to clog the lane by this 7-foot 270-pound center. He was only able to play 7 games after injuring his hand which required surgery and out since early December. According to information Azubuike will be able to return next season ready for action. The question becomes does he return? The question is posed because two other collegiate players sidelined for the season have indicated they are headed for the NBA. On the other hand, Kansas could attempt to red shirt him, he played a small number of games in the 2018-19 season.
Gut it out win
I didn’t have the opportunity to see the Mizzou-Arkansas game in its entirety, I was late returning home from an evening engagement. As for the game Mizzou was coming off two consecutive losses, it was believed Arkansas had a clear advantage, this was a certainty despite the fact it was a home game for Mizzou. The game wasn’t to turn out as many Mizzou faithful believed, Mizzou raced out to a 10-point lead and held on for dear life. Arkansas had an opportunity at the end, however stout defense forced a TO, final score 79-78.
I didn’t have the opportunity to see the Mizzou-Arkansas game in its entirety, I was late returning home from an evening engagement. As for the game Mizzou was coming off two consecutive losses, it was believed Arkansas had a clear advantage, this was a certainty despite the fact it was a home game for Mizzou. The game wasn’t to turn out as many Mizzou faithful believed, Mizzou raced out to a 10-point lead and held on for dear life. Arkansas had an opportunity at the end, however stout defense forced a TO, final score 79-78.
As the resident coach 150 miles away, I
see building blocks for next season.
Jeremiah Tilmon, the 6-10 252-pound Tilmon managed again to remain on
the floor. He led the way with 21 points
and 5 rebounds. Another “block” 6-1 150-pound Xavier Pinson came
off the bench scoring 11 points and pulling down an amazing 9 rebounds 3
assists and 1 steal. Seniors Kevin
Puryear (8 rebounds) and Jordan Geist (18 points) will be gone next season but
also made contributions to the victory on Tuesday evening.
