BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

Mr. Volatility
Often the most unlikely person moves in a direction few would have suspected.  Former NBA player Rasheed Wallace one of the most volatile players most of us remember is now a head coach.  Wallace in his 18-year NBA career retired with a 14.4 points per game scoring average along with 6.7 rebounds.  ESPN indicates Wallace received 312 technical fouls during his career the most in NBA history. 

He’s going to be molding young minds having taken the job of head coach at his former high school Jordan in Durham North Carolina.  He might hold another record, the only NBA player to ever receive a technical foul for staring at a game official.  Former official Ron Garretson had given Wallace a tech earlier in the game, while sitting on the bench Garretson said Wallace was glaring at him resulting in a second technical and ejection.  His high school knowing the history of Wallace must have received assurances prior to his hire. 

Number 50
The Mizzou Tigers don’t have a great number of jerseys hanging in the rafters, today John Brown’s jersey will be raised.  Most of Mizzou Nation has no idea of his basketball skill he displayed, Brown played for the university back in the “dark ages.”  He played for the Tigers in the old Big 8 days (1970-1973) nevertheless number 50 was a key contributor to placing basketball on the same level with Mizzou football. 

The 6-foot 7 inch forward left the school with 1421 points, he might have scored more but two factors impacted scoring.  Brown only played three seasons for the Tigers freshman were not eligible for the varsity.  In addition, there was no 3-point line in place which was also a contributing factor to what might be a reduced scoring total.  Brown was made the 10^th pick in the first round of the 1973 draft by the Hawks.  He played through 1980 in the NBA and then three more years in Italy. 

Lonzo can’t stay healthy it appears 
Unfortunately, this one is on Magic Johnson, he was the culprit who decided to trade D’Angelo Russell to the Nets.  I remember reading a statement where Magic said, “The Lakers need a leader.”  Evidently, he believed Russell was not the point guard to lead them.  He then drafts Lonzo Ball who can’t shoot and can’t seem to stay healthy enough to be on the floor.  In his rookie year Ball saw action in 52 of the 82 games, the 20 games he missed were due to injury. 

As for the 2018-19 season it’s been even worst, Ball was injured January 19, 2019 with a high ankle sprain and bone bruise.  The Lakers indicated he would be out of the lineup 4-6 weeks which has turned into missing the balance of the season.  If he does miss the balance of the season he will have played in fewer games (47) than his rookie year.  Luke Walton might not be the coach this team needs to lead but his substitution pattern is not the cause.  You might remember a few weeks back LaVar Ball claimed Walton’s rotation was the basis for the Lonzo injuries. 

Remember this?
Recently it was written the collapse otherwise known as the Lakers was not the planned future that was hoped.  It was indicated they have losses against the two worst teams in the NBA.  Guess what, ESPN Power Rankings validate the statement.  The week of March 3, 2019 this is their ranking.  

Number 29 Suns
Number 30-Knicks

ESPN rates the Lakers number 18 in the NBA which is not terrible, oh so much more was expected of a LeBron led team.  This writer was cautious last October if you remember.  It was hoped a playoff berth and compete for a championship in 2020.