Basketball from a fan’s perspective

He was among the best
Any time a discussion occurs here regarding all-time greats in KC high school basketball hoops the same names are usually mentioned.  Either Warren Armstrong, Central, Anthony Peeler, Paseo or JaRon Rush Pembroke will be mentioned.  We could say all played in different eras of high school basketball.  Armstrong (Jabali) was Rookie of the Year in the ABA and had an extensive career until injuries curtailed his livelihood.  Peeler drafted by the Lakers played for several other NBA teams during his 13-year NBA career. 

Rush although extremely talented never managed an NBA career, he declared for the draft after his freshman year at UCLA.  Bad advice regarding his draft status and personal issues cost him a possible NBA career.  As for Peeler after graduation from Paseo he attended Mizzou where he became a standout player for then coach Norm Stewart.  A friend attended a basketball camp while in high school years later he would play for Mizzou.  As for the camp each participant received a medal for participating, my friend managed to secure Anthony Peelers autograph.  He gave me the medal to add to my Laker collection of memorabilia, thanks much Rob. 

One more comment
We read several fan letters defending the suspended KC radio host.  In this day of social media is there ever a point that becomes out of bounds?  The radio guy claimed because Andy Reid hired his sons they were “fair game” to be included in the discussion.  That might be true however this is where the line becomes blurred, when you attempt to tie family into the coaches handling of football talent that might be the line in the sand. 

If for instance this host totaled the number of bad characters the Chiefs have employed tied it to Andy Reid that might have been the end.  There would have been no uproar locally or nationally, by choosing to take it one step further including Reid’s family this host stepped over that line.  My audience is much smaller than radio guy however I truly hope I’ve never stepped over the line.  I can only think of one instance, my criticism of Doc Rivers and son Austin Rivers time with the Clippers.  I believed it smacked of nepotism and I said so at the time.  In my passion to complete a story misrepresented a person or event I hope not. 

This is unusual
On Tuesday Missouri State made an offer to Rivals 5-star prospect Aminu Mohammed.  Mohammed is the number 14 prospect in the Class of 2021 however that’s not the unusual aspect.  Point, his brother is enrolled at Missouri State and is a roster member of the basketball team.  Point, Mohammed’s high school Greenwood Laboratory is located on the campus of the Springfield school.   Final point, although Springfield is 150 miles from Columbia Mizzou is yet to make an offer as this is written.  Mizzou failing to make an offer is probably the most unusual aspect. 

Would it work?
Here I go again; I’m settled on JJ Redick as the Lakers shooting guard.  Could they acquire a point guard by default might be the question?  The Jazz have acquired Mike Conley from the Grizzlies, unrestricted free agent Ricky Rubio apparently has no job.  Next stop Los Angeles and the Lakers (I hope), check out his numbers.  At the time he arrived in the NBA as a 19-year-old he was a distributor of the basketball, Rubio couldn’t toss the ball in the ocean as a shooter.   

All that’s changed now, Rubio shot 40.4% from the floor scoring 12.7 points and 6.1 assists per game last season.  In addition to those numbers Rubio is nearly 84% from the free throw line.  He’s only 28 years old and should have several productive years in front of him.  Can the Lakers make the dollars right for this pass first point guard?  Laker Nation certainly hopes that is the case.  His field goal shooting percentage is minimal but that’s not the chief area of concern for the Lakers.  

They were history makers
We might state any team winning the NCAA championship is a history maker.  Texas Western (now Texas-El Paso) accomplished the task in a different manner.  The racial landscape of America was undergoing change, most northern and western universities contained black players, in the deep south and southwest witnessed change as well with several smaller conferences.  In 1966 many basketball teams in the southern United States were still comprised of white players.  Larger conferences such as the SEC, ACC and Southwest Conference were among the last to recruit black players.  Texas Western then not affiliated with a conference played whomever they could schedule.  In addition, Don Haskins coach of Texas Western may not have been concerned about race as much as winning basketball games. 

Haskins team in the 1965-66 season was comprised of five black starters the first instance in the NCAA at the time.  Texas Western and Kentucky with its all white starters were marching toward a meeting for the 1966 NCAA championship.  March 19, 1966 history was made when the two teams faced one another.  Texas Western defeated Kentucky 72-65 finishing the season with 28 wins and 1 loss.  That one game would witness the landscape changing forever, it didn’t occur overnight more and more schools in the deep south began to recruit black players.  In 2006 Hollywood depicted the story in Glory Road, it’s available on several platforms.  In 2007 the Texas Western team was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame.