Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Maybe I will, maybe I won’t
I’m ashamed of myself for providing free advertisement in any event here goes.  Lonzo Ball making all that noise about covering his BBB tattoo and tossing the shoes in a trash dump.  The Laker point guard was spotted recently wearing the shoe in public but would offer no comment, in addition the BBB website remains shut-down for now. 

Kansas City proud
I read (I certainly didn’t witness it first-hand) Kansas Cities Landry Shamet hit the 3-point ) basket leading to the Clippers 135-131 comeback win over the Warriors.  I always want Kansas City kids to perform well in the NBA and that might eventually be the case for Shamet.  Park Hill High School to Wichita State to the Sixers and now with the Clippers.  Patrick Beverly might be a better defender however Shamet can out shoot Beverly with one eye closed.    

You missed the boat on this one
We’ve discussed the NFL’s Rooney Rule in the past, for those unfamiliar with the procedure allow a brief explanation.  In the recent past minority candidates were not being interviewed for head coaching positions in the NFL.  Due to complaints the rule was implemented by the NFL to provide equal opportunity in hiring.  The rule states any point a job opening occurs each NFL team must interview a minority candidate.  ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith expressed his concern due to the Luke Walton hiring.   

Former Laker coach Luke Walton was fired on Friday and was hired the next day by the Kings to fill their open position.  This type of hire is an exception rather than normal procedure.  I believe if Smith checked past hires, he would discover this process has not occurred and if it did it’s been quite a few years.  There were black head coaches terminated at the end of the season this is fact.  Despite the Walton hire the NBA continues to remain in the forefront in hiring black and minority coaches.  Smith is certainly entitled to his opinion however he missed the boat on this one. 

No decision yet
For prospects to remain uncommitted into April is not uncommon, that is the case for Cole Anthony.  He’s a 6-foot 2-inch point guard and is a Rivals 5-star prospect in the Class of 2019.  There is an NBA connection Cole is the son of former NBA player Greg Anthony.  Roy Williams North Carolina Tarheels are reported to have the inside track in signing the youngster.  This statement is made despite the fact Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky and others have offers on the table.    

Help (right now)
As part of Mizzou Nation, I want to address the lack of offense immediately.  Jontay Porter is history regardless, I don’t expect to see him in a Mizzou jersey.  With Jordan Geist graduating where does Mizzou go for offense?  Well Mark Smith returns healthy and proved he could score the ball.  The freshman trio of Pinson/Watson/Pickett could score but were sometimes inconsistent.  Dru Smith will be eligible and should help the offense plus newcomers Mario McKinney and Tray Jackson come on board.  This is way too early to discuss the 2019-20 season however we are doing it anyway. 

On Mizzou’s radar is a transfer candidate, Eric Williams Jr. who is leaving Duquesne.  He’s a 6-foot 6-inch shooting guard, he scored at a 14 point per game clip along with nearly 8 rebounds.  Whether he winds up at Mizzou or some other destination he must sit out a year.  There is always the NCAA appeal process which could grant him playing time in the 2019-20 season.  If you’ve been a reader of Words eye view for any length of time you realize one fact.  This writer is obsessed with big men, I make this statement despite the emphasis on “small-ball” in today’s college and NBA. 

With the explanation out of the way how about an introduction to Ryan Kalkbrenner, he’s a 7-foot 225-pound center.  Kalkbrenner is a 3-star prospect in the Class of 2020, he attends Trinity Catholic High School in St. Louis.  Mizzou’s made an offer but also is competing with Illinois, Kansas State, Xavier and Tulsa for his services.  Kalkbrenner indicates he must become more aggressive on the court.  His numbers are good however he’s a 7-foot player where he might often be the tallest player on the court.  Speculation on my part indicates it will be winter or next spring before a decision is reached.  Illinois is extending it’s recruiting into the St. Louis metro.