Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
A different NBA championship
We’ve discussed the NBA has become a “World Game”, for the first time ever one of the contestants represents an NBA team outside the continental U.S. The Raptors of Toronto Canada are the Eastern Champions, they face the Western Division Champion Warriors. The Warriors are the early favorites, don’t discount the Raptors determination after defeating the Bucks 4 games to 2.
The Warriors are missing Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins. At this point KD is the most valuable Warrior
not playing, if he’s unable to play in the series the scenario
changes. Personally, I’m not rooting for
either team, my desire is for a competitive series free of officiating
complaints. The series begins on
Thursday evening in Toronto, Sunday evening will see both teams in action.
I’m excited
Mizzou will surprise in 2019-20, most SEC teams expect to see the same Mizzou team they faced last season. I’m not sure who coined the phrase “the best thing about freshman they become sophomores.” Point guard Xavier Pinson was a blur on the court but sometimes his aggressive play resulted in frequent turnovers. Pinson should be improved in that area as a sophomore, his shooting was satisfactory. Illinois transfer Mark Smith proved he was deadeye from distance until an injury sent him to the sidelines and he managed to play only 20 games.
No holding back Dru Smith this time the, Evansville transfer is ready to contribute for Mizzou. We are reading Jeremiah Tilmon is working on his shot from distance which should aid his game. Cutting down on his tendency to foul might be more important in my view than his shooting. I tend to be impressed in the recruiting aspect of prospect rather than the play of a freshman. Mizzou’s got three who should add depth and play major minutes. In the frontcourt is 6-7 220-pound Kobe Brown and 6-8 Tray Jackson, 6-2-point guard Mario McKinney adds depth in the backcourt.
Mizzou will surprise in 2019-20, most SEC teams expect to see the same Mizzou team they faced last season. I’m not sure who coined the phrase “the best thing about freshman they become sophomores.” Point guard Xavier Pinson was a blur on the court but sometimes his aggressive play resulted in frequent turnovers. Pinson should be improved in that area as a sophomore, his shooting was satisfactory. Illinois transfer Mark Smith proved he was deadeye from distance until an injury sent him to the sidelines and he managed to play only 20 games.
No holding back Dru Smith this time the, Evansville transfer is ready to contribute for Mizzou. We are reading Jeremiah Tilmon is working on his shot from distance which should aid his game. Cutting down on his tendency to foul might be more important in my view than his shooting. I tend to be impressed in the recruiting aspect of prospect rather than the play of a freshman. Mizzou’s got three who should add depth and play major minutes. In the frontcourt is 6-7 220-pound Kobe Brown and 6-8 Tray Jackson, 6-2-point guard Mario McKinney adds depth in the backcourt.
R.J. will attend……….
He’s from Little Elm located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, his name is R.J. Hampton. Hampton is unique in that he’s the last remaining 5-star prospect uncommitted at least until Tuesday. Hampton is rated number 6 in the Class of 2019 prospects, he’s reduced his list of schools to possibly one of the three, Memphis, Kansas and Texas Tech. As for the other numbers Hampton is a 6-foot 5-inch 180-pound point guard,
He’s from Little Elm located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, his name is R.J. Hampton. Hampton is unique in that he’s the last remaining 5-star prospect uncommitted at least until Tuesday. Hampton is rated number 6 in the Class of 2019 prospects, he’s reduced his list of schools to possibly one of the three, Memphis, Kansas and Texas Tech. As for the other numbers Hampton is a 6-foot 5-inch 180-pound point guard,
As for his choice he’s likely a one and done athlete no
matter which school he chooses. Not
unusual for today’s youngsters Hampton will appear on ESPN's Get Up to announce his choice of school's. Will he join Penny
Hardaway who’s assembling a juggernaut at Memphis? On the other hand, he could take U.S. 82 West
about 4 hours and play for Chris Beard at Texas Tech. Finally, Hampton might consider playing for a
Blue Blood Kansas program and Bill Self.
He’s only 27 years old
Play on the court belies his age, we might believe he’s 40+ years old. See Kawhi Leonard is ol skool, sports broadcasters of the past might say this about him. “He comes to work with his lunch pail” meaning he does all those keys that contribute to a team’s victory. The keys are the little things teammates can’t or sometimes maybe unwilling to do. Proof of this Leonard’s twice been selected as Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016) as a member of the Spurs.
Play on the court belies his age, we might believe he’s 40+ years old. See Kawhi Leonard is ol skool, sports broadcasters of the past might say this about him. “He comes to work with his lunch pail” meaning he does all those keys that contribute to a team’s victory. The keys are the little things teammates can’t or sometimes maybe unwilling to do. Proof of this Leonard’s twice been selected as Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016) as a member of the Spurs.
In 2011 the Pacers drafted Leonard with the 15th
pick but traded his rights to the Spurs.
Born in Los Angeles he remained so what close to home attending San
Diego State where he left for the NBA after his sophomore year. More could be written, NBA champion plus 3-time
NBA All Star but Leonard is not a demonstrative guy. It’s unnecessary to pat him on the back he
knows his value to the Spurs and now the Raptors, he needs no reinforcement in
this account.
Anthony Davis of the _______
Notice the last portion of the headline is blank, it’s empty because no one is sure where Anthony Davis is headed. Is it the Lakers, Clippers, Celtics or Knicks or maybe some other team? Newly hired GM David Griffin indicates the Pelicans plain is for Davis to remain in the “Big Easy.” I have no inside information regarding Davis just the belief he’s a man of his words.
Notice the last portion of the headline is blank, it’s empty because no one is sure where Anthony Davis is headed. Is it the Lakers, Clippers, Celtics or Knicks or maybe some other team? Newly hired GM David Griffin indicates the Pelicans plain is for Davis to remain in the “Big Easy.” I have no inside information regarding Davis just the belief he’s a man of his words.
Davis has been quiet however with plenty of opportunities to
say “I’m staying” he’s been
silent. It’s extremely difficult to hold
on to a player wanting out (see Kawhi Leonard), a trade will be
consummated. Which team and what players
are involved is not known at this point, the only player we are sure who’s
included in the package is Anthony Davis?
