BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

Division II
Maryville Missouri is roughly 100 miles due north of Kansas City.  Northwest Missouri State is in Maryville, the world gives little notice to NCAA Division II teams even when they win.  The Bearcats won their second NCAA championship in three years by defeating Point Loma from California 64-58.  38-0 and Northwest Missouri State becomes the 5^th Division II school to go undefeated in a season, congratulations Bearcats

“The mayor is where?”
Except for the time-period Fred Hoiberg coached the Bulls he’s always been associated with the State of Iowa in one form or another.  Growing up in Ames, Iowa he would go on to become the most popular basketball player in state history.  As for the nickname “The Mayor” one-year Hoiberg received several write in votes thus the name was bestowed on him. He would go on to become a second-round pick in the 1995 draft, Hoiberg had a 10-year NBA career.  In 2010 he returned to his alma mater Iowa State to begin a tenure as head coach, in 2015 the NBA Bulls came a calling for his services. 

Hoiberg would only last 3 years with the Bulls before being dumped.  Where could he go, NBA jobs opened however either he failed to apply or was never contacted.  Fast forward to March 30, 2019 it’s been reported the University of Nebraska who just fired their head coach would hire Hoiberg in his place.  Nebraska shares an eastern border with Iowa so he’s close by, there are a few facts most don’t know.  The Mayor was born in Lincoln Nebraska, his mom is native to the state and his dad worked on his Ph.D. while attending the University of Nebraska.  After his dad finished his degree there were two job offers with one of them being Iowa State.  One more connect the dots to Nebraska, Fred Hoiberg’s grandfather coached Nebraska for several years in the mid 1950’s.  

On the calendar 
Other than the playoffs next up on the NBA calendar is the Draft Combine, the skills competition will be held in Chicago May 15 through May 19.  Several seniors and those who declare for the June draft are run through a series of basketball drills.  The combine attempts to determine their athletic and physical prowess.  In several instances a few athletes have no intention of remaining in the draft, they are attempting to determine where they might stand in their value to be drafted.  Below are just a few of the checks:  

Standing Reach

Standing Vertical Leap

Lane Agility

NBA Break Right

NBA Break Left

Height w/o shoes

NBA Corner Right Shooting

NBA Corner Left Shooting

Ready for Big D
The Mavs were not one of the teams Kristaps Porzingis wanted, despite that fact he’s okay now.  January 2019 witnessed KP being traded by the Knicks to the Mavs. In addition to KP the Knicks received Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and two future first-round draft picks from the Mavericks in the deal. Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke plus headed to Dallas.  The 7-foot 3-inch unicorn is fully healed from his ACL injury but was to sit out the 2018-19 season.  He’s been practicing with the team but is still not cleared to play based on his timetable.  The Mavs hope to sign Porzingis to a long-term contract in the summer.

BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

No real surprise
Oregon power forward Bol Bol was injured early in the 2018-19 college season.  Bol indicated at the time he’d begin rehab and prepare for the June NBA draft, on Friday it became official.  The 7-foot 2 inch 235-pound prospect declared officially.  The information from a couple of mock draft sites, nbadraft.net has Bol as the number 18 pick and nbadraftroom.com list him at 15.  I read this comment from an NBA scout, he claims “you must analyze a draft 3 years later not immediately.”   

From the 2^nd round to the Hall of Fame
He’s not in the Naismith Hall of Fame yet, he only retired last season not enough elapsed time.  Do you realize the significance of his draft position, Manu Ginobili was a 2^nd round pick and number 57 in the 1999 NBA draft?  There are 60 players chosen in each draft which says Ginobili was 3^rd pick from the BOTTOM in that draft.  As for another part of his bio Ginobili is generally credited with introducing the “Euro Step” to the NBA.  Although he did play in Europe Ginobili was born and raised in the South American nation of Argentina.  

I once said, “I hated the guy, back in the day the shooting guard was always hitting a crucial shot leading to his Spurs beating my Lakers.”  He retired after an illustrious European, Olympic and NBA career, Thursday evening it came full circle.  The Spurs in a half-time ceremony retired number 20, no future Spurs player will ever wear that number.  A salute to an outstanding athlete and certainly one of the best.  There might have been better shooters, yes better assist men and better defenders.  No matter what Manu Ginobili lacked in one area he made up for it in another.  19-years with the Spurs and one of the few who managed to spend their entire career with a single NBA team. 

Ascending and descending
As we reach the final few weeks of the 2018-19 NBA season allow a brief return to last fall. I don’t remember the date, it was August, or September I made this statement.  “It’s my belief the Lakers are ascending, and the Clippers are descending.  The Lakers are moving upward with the addition of LeBron James in the lineup, as for the Clippers they missed the playoffs after earning a spot 6 years in a row.” 

I saw the future and pronounced the Lakers the new Kings of Los Angeles basketball with LeBron providing the leadership.  This past Monday the Clippers clinched a playoff berth, the Friday prior witnessed the Lakers being eliminated from playoff contention.  I’m not going to provide detail why I was so wrong in the fortunes of both teams, it’s likely you have a general idea as to why I missed so badly.  Maybe I’ll stay out of the forecasting business…….maybe not.        

The “others”    
Can Zion Williamson play power forward in the NBA, standing 6 foot 7 inches and 285 pounds its possible if we consider the others.   Who are the others, well Larry Johnson for one, he played the position at the same height checking in at 250 pounds?  Most of you probably remember the “grounded” LJ who played for the Knicks, our reference goes back to “Grandmama” who was a high flyer for the Hornets.  After spraining his back in 1993 he lost a great deal of his lift and was forced to develop an all-around game rather than dunks.

In Philadelphia Charles Barkley arrived in the NBA as “The Round Mound of Rebound.”  Back then he stood 6 foot 4 ½ inches and a compact 255 pounds, despite what you read Barkley was not 6-6.  Up and down the court early in his career with the Sixers Barkley often led the fast break for those Sixers and even could out run his competition.  Back to the question, can Williamson play power forward in the NBA?  He will yield height to all power forwards he faces; the weight is another matter.  Taller power forwards might discover its difficult to move him off the block at 285 pounds. 

BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

Not interested
The above statement was the response by Luka Doncic regarding Rookie of the Year.  I posed the question to several friends who follow the NBA.  I informed them I’d already awarded ROY to Doncic, I explained after the calendar turned to 2019 the Hawks Trae Young had caught fire and has been meteoric hot.  Neither the Mavs or Hawks will earn a playoff berth this season, they provide proof the draft works.  There was a difference of opinion between my friends, so my vote is the tie breaker.  Based on the second half run by Young I believe the trophy should be shared.  Sound strange, not really, it’s occurred twice in the past.

1994-95 Grant Hill / Jason Kidd
1999-00 Elton Brand / Steve Francis

No smirking on my part
Several might believe I’m laughing at the misfortunes of Lonzo Ball and the family, that is the furthest thing from the truth.  Losing any amount of money is heart-breaking especially a reported sum as large as $1.5 million.  This fiasco is in the hands of LaVar Ball and his arrogant style; the apparent failure of Big Baller Brand falls squarely on your shoulders.  Anyone I intend to take in as a business partner better be thoroughly vetted something you apparently didn’t bother to accomplish. 

You allowed a character with a dubious background to become a “partner” in the financial enterprise you were attempting to build.  While you were out promoting yourself and BBB this partner was in the background apparently misappropriating funds belonging to Lonzo and the family.  I get it, if you believed your sons should have their own brand of shoe and apparel that’s okay.  If you wanted to avoid the Nike/Adidas/Under Armour corporations that’s okay too.  I don’t believe anyone has difficulty with your attempt to become an entrepreneur it’s the manner you began this effort.  I’ve got a bad feeling, hopefully a portion of the missing money can be recovered.  

“I’m from Missouri, you’ve got to Show Me”
The shoe and apparel giant Nike have been in the news this week.  You’ve heard the charges celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti was charged with trying to extort money from Nike.  Avenatti claims several high-profile athletes received payments from Nike.  After posting bond and released from jail Avenatti provided the public “text message posts” as proof of his claim.  This issue will not be resolved quickly, I’m certainly not convinced Nike is blameless. 

At the same time a concern exists with tossing out names without providing any proof…. this example.  Another celebrity high profile attorney name was also included in this story.  Mark Geragos was reported to be a co-conspirator with Avenatti although he’s not been arrested or charged to date.  This is a story we cannot formulate an opinion yet, my chief concern    there are issues in college basketball.  We can no longer ignore the subject of Nike, Adidas or any other shoe company cheating in whatever form exists.  As for Mr. Avenatti remember me, “I’m from Missouri, you’ve got to Show Me.”     

Kansas basketball
If my Mizzou Tigers won 26 games and earned an NCAA tournament berth in 2019, I would have been jumping up and down with excitement.  For most KU fans they found the 2018-19 season extremely disappointing.  14 seasons in a row winning the Big 12 championship, either winning or tying for the post-season championship almost the same number of years.  In addition, a deep run most seasons in the NCAA tournament.  This year’s version failed to make the Sweet 16, what about next season?  With the specter of NCAA infractions hanging around who leaves and who stays?

Mizzou looks good for next season not so much for Kansas, allow me to begin.  Recruiting, KU has incoming talent however for the first time in memory the school is not included in ESPN’s Top 25 Recruiting Classes for 2019.  As for those on the roster, forward Dedric Lawson who was the main offensive force is likely headed to the NBA.  Silvio De Sousa despite his potential will never be granted eligibility, there is a cloud over his head.  Finally, we end with the man-mountain, Udoka Azubuike the 7-foot 1 inch 270-pound center was missing in action due to injury.  Doke although raw is also likely headed to the NBA, where does this leave Kansas basketball in 2019-20? 

BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

There is a sleaze factor
I’ve got news for you, there is a sleaze factor in men’s college basketball.  Don’t kid yourself it exists and has for quite a period.  Directly or in-directly several athletes have been compensated in various forms to attend good old XYZ University, most often the coach is a factor but sometimes it’s the kid or family member saying, “what can I get.” 

There is no issue with discussing it in the open I have a concern with the manner it’s talked about.  Our resident drive-time sports guy names name’s.  No, not the one’s caught and punished for past misdeeds, but he indicates those he believes cheat in some form or another.  If the radio guy believes his words all I can say is prove it, don’t give me a bunch of tripe about coach _______ cheating or the university of ______. 

Give us proof rather than simply point out the warts in the sport, you have a legion of folks you sometimes influence by your often-unproven comments.  Many accept your diatribe as fact rather than investigate themselves.  If you don’t like covering the sport, I’m sure as a part-owner of the station there is no requirement during your radio program to discuss college basketball. 

You can chat NFL or college football, how about baseball or major league soccer.  There appears to be an abundant amount of sports to fill up your time slot without discussing college basketball.  The subject matter is far too detailed attempting to write about in this format but so is sports talk radio.  One interesting fact this issue doesn’t appear to be as prevalent in college football as it is in college basketball. 

“It’s gotta be the shoes?”
Several of you might remember the old Air Jordan commercials featuring Michael Jordan and the Mars Blackman character a.k.a. Spike Lee.  In case you never saw them or don’t remember video of MJ flying often dunking the ball.  Mars Blackmon would ask a series of questions and then conclude, “It’s gotta be the shoes?”  Well this ain’t Michael Jordan but we could also be asking is it the shoes.  We don’t know if it’s true or not the Lakers were reported to question Lonzo Ball regarding his signature BBB shoes.  The Lakers want to know if the shoes may have been a contributing factor in his injury history.  You are aware he’s missed major parts of two seasons while playing in the Big Baller Brand.

We cannot claim with proof the shoes are detrimental after all Nike also experienced negative news on one of its shoes.  The whole world witnessed the signature PG Nike tear apart on Zion Williamson earlier this season. We don’t have an answer if the BBB shoe was at fault however one issue seems much clearer.  Lonzo gives us the appearance he’s divorcing himself from the brand. The words of Charles Barkley, “He should’ve been his own man from the beginning.  You can’t let your family members try to piggyback on your success.  This is his time.”  Lonzo just might be moving to the Nike brand.      

ROY
Early on I believed Luka Doncic was the odds-on favorite for ROY in the NBA. The second half of the season I think Trae Young's caught him and they are dead even. Thoughts please.

Shot blocker extraordinaire
If you know the answer without consulting NBA stats your good.  As for others, “Who is the second leading shot blocker in the NBA?”  Is it Embiid or Rudy Gobert, how about Karl-Anthony Towns?  Let’s check the answers wrong, wrong and wrong it’s Knicks center Mitchell Robinson.  Even though Robinson plays limited minutes behind DeAndre Ayton he’s second in the NBA with 2.43 blocks per game.  The Knicks haven’t had a great deal to smile about this season rookie Robinson is one of the few bright spots.  The 7-foot 1 Robinson’s offensive game consists of mostly dunks that’s why he’s got a 68.2% field goal percentage. 

The best seat in the house 
No argument, it’s likely the best seat in the house is in your man (woman) cave in YOUR chair in front of the television.  The question is associated with arena seating, in this instance arenas where collegiate and NBA teams play.  I’ve done a great deal of travel but only attended games in Municipal Auditorium, Kemper (Hy-Vee) Arena and Sprint Center in Kansas City.  I once attended a pre-season NBA exhibition game in Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence Kansas.  On two occasions I had an opportunity to view games from a suite, once in Kemper and one time in the Sprint Center.  What can I say very comfortable seats compared to other portions of the arena, a wide choice of food however I felt too far away from game action? 

I had complimentary tickets two rows behind the television broadcast announcers’ they were the worst seats ever.  Seated that close to the court referees, game officials at the table were often in my line of sight blocking my view, sometimes it was players themselves preventing me from seeing all the action.  I wasn’t sure if we ever appeared on camera, probably not.  Seats mid-level in the bottom portion of the bowl, also seats in the upper bowl 2 or 3 rows from the top of the arena.  We dub those seats “nose-bleed” since they are so high up in any arena.  The verdict is end, the cave wins overwhelmingly.  Think about it no lines to the rest-room, plenty of adult beverages or soda pop and food there is no bank loan required to purchase.  You might disagree with this assessment and that's okay.   

BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

More coaching changes
After 8 seasons at the helm Arkansas fired Mike Anderson.  Anderson left Mizzou for Arkansas when there was a coaching vacancy, he’d been an assistant under Nolan Richardson at the school.   Nebraska fired Tim Miles after serving as head coach for 7 seasons with the Cornhusker program.  BYU coach Dave Rose announced his retirement from the Cougars after 14 years at the helm.  The coaching carousel continues as lots of names are discussed but nothing concrete as this is written. 

And they call me a hater
Is it Duke basketball, coach K., or Zion Williamson? On the way home yesterday afternoon our drive-time sports EXPERT was just hatin' on Zion Williamson. At the end of the rant his true feelings came out he wanted UCF to win the game. That's okay but why did he find it necessary to say, "I'm sick of Zion Williamson" his words not mine. A middle-age radio guy upset with an 18-year old because he's good at what he does?  I might remind you he also made some disparaging remarks about Trae Young while the point guard was at Oklahoma, totally pathetic by this guy.

They will contact you 
I like Jason Kidd as a player and a coach, I don’t like the fact he is under cutting Luke Walton.  I believe we all get it Jason you want an opportunity to coach again in the NBA; do you want the job so badly you are willing to undercut a fellow coach who is desperately hanging onto his position?  Don’t worry if the Lakers decide to hire you they will contact you, just my thoughts doesn’t make it correct.  

I didn’t see it (nor will I)
In 1985 former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann suffered a devastating leg injury.  A television audience plus those in the stadium witnessed the injury, from all descriptions it was something I never wanted to see.  Every time video was shown I changed channels vowing to never see it and then I was trapped in a movie theatre no less.  In 2009 we attended the evening show featuring the movie The Blindside, although my wife was unfamiliar with the story, I was aware although lacking detail, then BAM the Theismann injury was featured in the opening portion of the movie.

With no method of avoiding it I finally was forced to see the injury projected onto a movie screen, I don’t won’t to see a similar injury.  On Monday evening Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic must have sustained a “Theismann” injury, I can only surmise that based on the sports page description. Although the game was on NBA TV, I didn’t see it, wasn’t viewing it, Tuesday morning reports it appears somewhat devastating.  I’m not going to play doctor I can only hope Nurkic’s career is not over and he’s able to recover.  Please note from this point going forward I will treat video of this injury in the same manner I did with Joe Theismann.   

How tall?
Mizzou extended an offer to a power forward from Katy Texas in the Class of 2020.  With his senior year remaining this early in the process there is no guarantee Eddie Lampkin is headed to Mizzou.  I hope you find this next portion as interesting as I do.  One publication lists Lampkin as 6 foot 6, another says he’s 6-9 while still another claims he’s 6-11.  On these various sites his weight varies from 240 to 245 and one list him at 291 pounds.  This is not unusual or new to see a wide range of height and weight differences for a prospect be he high school, college or the NBA.  I guess the most important issue if he decides to choose Mizzou it’s hoped he can play.   

BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

This was funny
The NBA page on Monday’s March 25^th edition of USA Today was so funny I almost fell out of my chair with laughter.  The three headline stories below were run right behind the other.   

Why the Knicks need Zion more than any other team

Why the Hawks need Zion more than any other team

Why the Cavs need Zion more than any other team

I’m not kidding check it out for yourself, if you care you might chose to read the story.

The Swoosh
A mid-morning story on March 25^th broke with news regarding the arrest of celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti.  The FBI announced Avenatti was implicated in a plot to extort $20 million from Nike.  The attorney was reported to have information on payments to company made to families of high school basketball players, this news would be released to the public if Nike refused to pay.  This investigation is in its early stage, after Adidas went on trial last year who do we believe?  Do we believe as Avenatti’s pointed out the company made payments in the past to steer an athlete to a particular school?  This is far too early to draw any conclusions so we must wait and see how this plays out over the next several months. 

Downward move
Among the coaches fired recently was Kareem Richardson University of Missouri-Kansas City.  The university in the middle of Kansas City has struggled mightily since the program moved from the NAIA to Division I level.  We have witnessed a succession of head coaches none apparently capable of turning the program into a winner.  In the 1991-92 season playing as an independent UMKC finished with 21 wins and 7 losses.  28 years later the school has registered only 7 winning seasons, most with the Kangaroos finishing one or two games above .500.  After competing as an independent in 1994-95 the school moved into the Mid-Continent Conference which morphed into the Summit League in 2006-07. 

In 2013 UMKC moved into the Western Athletic Conference.  Richardson was coach number six, other than Lee Hunt the first Division I coach who retired the others were all fired.  At the time UMKC began play at the D-I level we hoped for success like Louisville or Memphis.  Outstanding basketball would occur at another urban university, unfortunately that’s not been the case.  What occurs now is the next question, unlike UCLA or Texas A&M the university will have a smaller number of prospects aspiring to be hired.  I’m unsure what it might take to turn this program into a winner however a return to the NAIA or Division II level might be best until the program is on solid ground.  At this point we can state with certainty the program is shaky. 

Kareem speaks
“crazy game 77 - 76 and it was so great to see a big man dominate - a “good teacher” can help this kid to another level.”  The comment made by Kareem Abdul Jabbar regarding 7-foot 6-inch Tacko Fall.  KAJ says a good teacher can help the UCF center, the question is Kareem that teacher?  An additional question we could mention, would an NBA team be willing to hire KAJ to work with Tacko?

He is the Big Apple   
Walt “Clyde” Frazier is 74 years old now, he was born and grew up in Atlanta.  After a brilliant playing career with the Knicks he retired and has been an analyst so long he’s become an institution.  Clyde has been enshrined in both the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame and a member of the NBA’s Top 50 All-Time team.  Clyde blossomed at Southern Illinois University but not without overcoming conflict.  He was declared ineligible one year due to grades, the coach would not allow him to play offense he could only play defense.  This occurred long before one and done yet Clyde remained in school. 

Clyde was named MVP as Southern Illinois won the 1967 NIT championship.  The season he was forced to only play defense provided the basis for Clyde to become a defensive stalwart in the NBA.  The 6-foot 4-inch point guard was a critical key to the Knicks NBA championships of 1970 and 1973.  He’s in the restaurant business being a co-owner of Walt Frazier’s Wine and Dine located at 485 10 Ave in Manhattan.  As for the nickname Clyde his teammates hung it on him, he’d purchased a wide brim hat and weeks later the movie “Bonnie & Clyde” was released.  Warren Beatty playing the infamous hoodlum Clyde Barrow wore wide brim hats in the movie.   

BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

March Madness 
Is your bracket busted? Mine is now that Villanova has been defeated. 

No disagreement from me FSU certainly played a superior game to Murray State.  I really enjoyed seeing Ja Morant play and hoped Murray State would win.  Now I’ve got to find another team to root for.  As for Morant he’s not committing on the NBA and that’s understandable. For those who wonder about the high school AAU team of Morant and Williamson consider this fact.  Both exhibited talent but certainly nowhere near the level of what we’ve seen in 2019. 

Final score Duke 77-UCF 76, 7-foot 6-inch 310-pound Tacko Fall versus 6-foot 7-inch 285-pound Zion Williamson.  Williamson with 32 pits 11 rebounds and 4 assists led Duke.  Fall had 15 points 6 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, teammate Aubrey Dawkins led the way for the Knights with 32 points.  This was a game you wanted both teams to win however that’s not the way the game is played.  We know for sure Williamson is headed for the NBA as for Fall I’m still unsure.  

Not exactly tourney news but it was announced during the time period.  Mizzou’s Jontay Porter re-injured the torn ACL that sidelined him for the 2018-19 season.  Many were unsure if he was going to return to Mizzou anyway, his name continued to be listed on NBA mock draft sites.  The decision would appear easy now, he could take the route of brother Michael Jr.  The elder brother drafted by the Nuggets is spending the season rehabbing and preparing for the 2019-20 NBA season.      

Remember what I wrote on March 19, that’s okay if don't recall.  “Sorry fans of KU basketball they ain’t likely headed to Kansas City except to maybe land at the airport and then be bussed to Lawrence Kansas.  I say they don’t make the Sweet 16, you can laugh at me in a couple of weeks.” Check it out just in case you don’t believe me. 

Coaching moves, as reported the other day its now official Avery Johnson at Alabama secured a buyout.  Where he goes from here is unknown currently.  Out west Cal fired Wyking Jones an assistant under Cuonzo Martin.  He took over the program after Martin left for Mizzou.  Jones only held the top position two years.  The report I read indicated the school was looking at former NBA coach Jason Kidd who played at Cal. 

The teacher and the pupil
Watching the Duke-UCF game, teacher (Coach K.) versus pupil (Johnny Dawkins).  How about the coaching tree of the long-time Duke coach?  Those listed either played for was an assistant and is now serving as a head coach themselves?

Jeff Capel – Pittsburg
Mike Brey – Notre Dame
Steve Wojciechowski - Marquette
Chris Collins - Northwestern
Tommy Amaker - Harvard
Bobby Hurley - Arizona State 

No, I don’t think so  
One more story which gained little traction except in the KC metro, it was the report Bill Self was headed to the Bulls.  A Chicago radio station claimed Self was to leave Kansas after the season and take the head coaching job for the Bulls.  It is certainly possible Self might want the NBA, but this is not a good job for a coach who is accustomed to winning. 

I say he remains at Kansas where he’s paid very well and wins his 20+ games every season, his teams qualify for the NCAA tourney annually.  A dream job for Self would be the Warriors, Spurs and several other NBA teams who continuously win.  On the other hand, the graveyard is full of college coaches who moved into the NBA without much success.  Popovich has been coaching in the NBA for so long we forget he arrived from the college ranks.  The other successful example would be former coach Larry Brown.  

BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

He continues to confuse
Tacko Fall’s name is listed on NO NBA mock draft sites for 2019.  The 7-foot 6-inch UCF center had a game which might cause NBA scouts to sit up and take notice.  He was 6 for 9 from the floor a sizzling 66.7% as UCF beat VCU 73-58.  There were 18 rebounds along with 5 blocked shots, there is no count of the number of shot attempts altered due to the presence of Fall intimidation around the basket. 

Once during the game Fall grabbed a rebound brought the ball down to his side and attempted to lay it back up.  The 6-foot 6-inch center guarding him blocked the shot, that’s about the only negative from the Friday night game.  Fall’s 6-9 from the floor produced 13 points however there is no requirement for him to provide scoring for UCF.  The question remains, is pro basketball in his future?  That’s possible whether it’s Europe or the NBA remains the question.    

Bits n Pieces 
It was time for my barber shop visit, this was the wrong weekend.  This was Saturday morning after the Friday night loss eliminating the Lakers from the playoffs.  I wore my Mizzou top and hat and walking into the shop I was greeted with “Where’s your Laker gear?”  I smiled stating it’s still home.  The issue of the Lakers has been covered extensively so no need of further commentary on my part.  I attempted to steer the conversation to the NCAA tourney.

ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg had an interesting take on Murray State’s Ja Morant.  “He shares the same ability of the Chiefs Patrick Mahomes.  Both players are right-handed but have the ability to toss a left-handed pass.”  Might we consider both players ambidextrous and super talented?  I might be getting ahead of the story, Mahomes is only in year two in the NFL, Morant is yet to demonstrate NBA talent. 

South Carolina has produced two of the most exciting players in this years NCAA tournament.  One for sure is headed to the NBA and it’s highly likely the other player is too.  Duke’s Zion Williamson from Spartanburg and Ja Morant from Dalzell, Spartanburg has a population of 37,000 while Dalzell is a smaller less populated town of 2,400. 

It’s not his fault
A news story broke Friday indicating $1.5 million is missing from Lonzo Ball’s account with BBB.  The short version this investor in BBB has been fired by young Ball.  The person in question is a friend of LaVar Ball so that’s part of the connection.  Someone reading this might be laughing I’m not, I am pointing a finger of blame, however.  That finger is pointed squarely at LaVar Ball and not Lonzo, we are talking about decisions of a 19-year old young man versus those of the father.     

It’s clear LaVar talks family, it’s clear you didn’t thoroughly investigate this “investor” before you brought him on board.  You didn’t research the guy to discover there was a past criminal record for similar activities.  With the type of money, we are discussing the Ball family isn’t broke but don’t come at us talking like you know what you are doing.  More interesting young Ball raised the issue with his father several times over the last several months but was ignored.  Until the story is further developed it appears Lonzo Ball might have severed ties with BBB.             

What will the Knicks do?
There is no guarantee the Knicks will gain the top pick in the 2019 draft, work with me on this one, let’s say they get the pick what move do they make?  Will they draft Duke’s Zion Williamson or Murray State’s Ja Morant?  We’ll check out the point guard first, currently Dennis Smith Jr. is playing the point for the Knicks.  The Knicks acquired Smith Jr. in a trade so they must believe at least right now he’s the answer, by the way he’s an “elderly” 21-years old.  I’ll allow that to marinate with you for a period, how about the power forward position? 

I’m going out on a limb, I will say Williamson has superior skills at Duke to Noah Vonleh and Lance Thomas who sit one and two on the Knicks depth chart.  Both the Knick players have veteran experience over Williamson who is yet to set foot on an NBA court.  In conclusion it might appear I’m stating the Knicks take Williamson over Morant not necessarily.  I often mention the old NFL Dallas Cowboys, they could have 4 linebackers on the roster, they would draft another linebacker if they believed him to be the best at that position.  Later they would trade one of the players on the roster.  So, in conclusion what will the Knicks do?

BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

Sir Charles speaks
I once stated I pay attention to every other comment by Charles Barkley.  He made a statement on Friday evening after the Duke-North Dakota State game I thought worthy to be discussed. Sir Charles said (and I paraphrase); “There has been only one player who came into the NBA a grown man, that was LeBron James.  Zion Williamson at 6 foot 7 and 280 pounds could be another.  Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant came into the NBA from high school both struggled before they became dominant players.”  I agree with Barkley however I would add the name of Wilt Chamberlain who played in an earlier time-period, Chamberlain could have played in the NBA without college and dominate immediately.  I had to reach back to the 1960’s, I’m sure there might be others however Chamberlain’s name was the first one I thought of after hearing the Barkley comment. 

A walking billboard
You say the name Magic Johnson and it conjures success with a capital S.  Black kid who grew up in East Lansing Michigan, he parlayed his basketball talent to Michigan State and the Lakers.  Multiple NBA championships, Olympic Gold Medal, Most Valuable Player Awards, in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame.  You name it Magic’s done it, once he retired from the Lakers he moved into the realm of private industry.  His businesses and shrewd ventures have made this former Laker point guard a millionaire.  The profile is to cover just a portion of success occurring in his life, for space purposes even some of those positives have been omitted. 

Now for the Magic that concerns me, the Lakers were going through a down period the head coach was fired, and Magic took over the coaching reins in 1994.  We discovered quickly there is a difference in one’s ability to toss a 30-foot bounce pass and them trying to coach someone to execute it.  Magic was not a very good coach and gave up the job after less than ½ season.  In 2017 owner Jeanie Buss hired Magic as President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers.  We’ve witnessed mistake after mistake by this front-office led by Magic.  I believe most Laker fans expected better than what we’ve witness to date.  

The door is open
Bryce Drew was fired but for Avery Johnson it was a different matter.  One coach is history the other is practically out the door.  Vanderbilt suffered the worst season in its basketball history, it is clear the athletic department believed change was required.  Drew will get another job somewhere, he’s a young head coach.  

As for Johnson that’s a different story, the former Spurs point guard and NBA coach assumed the reins at Alabama in 2015.  It was an unusual move, we’ve witnessed several college coaches move into the NBA Johnson is one of the few NBA coaches who moved into the collegiate ranks.  On Wednesday I wrote of a few head coaches fired since the end of the season.  This is not the end I suspect Drew and Johnson will latch on somewhere. 

I wasn’t guilty, Embiid was
In high school our teacher left the class room, my fellow students went wild.  Throwing wads of paper at one another, talking loudly rather than reading the assignment quietly.  I was sitting quietly writing, I rolled a piece of paper into a ball and shot it toward the trash can.  My shot missed and I got up to place the wad in the waste basket.  I was standing next to the waste basket as the English teacher in the class room next to ours came in hearing all the commotion in our history class.   

This teacher yelled at our class for being so noisy and wanted the names of the students not seated at their desk (including me).  My history teacher was shocked to see my name on the list I wasn’t guilty, Embiid was.  In Wednesday’s game between the Sixers and Celtics guard Marcus Smart shoved Joel Embiid in the back violently. Smart claimed it was retaliation for an elbow Embiid had thrown when Smart came through the lane.  The NBA fined Smart $50,000 for this incident and two past instances, a replay clearly indicates Embiid did throw an elbow.