Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

Anthony Davis, assist man  
The Lakers Anthony Davis averaged 3.9 assists per game last season, only three other non-guards had more assists than Davis last season.  You might wonder how did the 6-foot 10-inch Davis become such a prolific passer?  Davis grew into his body; in high school he was a 6-foot-high school freshman guard.  He finished his sophomore year at 6-4, playing point guard he learned to distribute the basketball.  6 feet 3 and inches.  Then the growth spurt and by the time he left Kentucky for the NBA Davis stood 6-10.  Recently LeBron James indicated the Lakers should be playing through Davis, quite a compliment from him.         

This is interesting
Its early, college basketball practice has just begun.  This proposal is not set in stone although that’s the word we hear.  The word, Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin intends to utilize a 4-guard lineup.  The first thought, they might come up short at times versus the opposition when rebounding the basketball.  As for handling the ball and shooting that should be better, Mizzou struggled as a team last season at times. 

Mark Smith and Dru Smith are likely the first two names, Mark the shooter and Dru at the point.  Both are veterans entering their junior year, added to the mix is     freshman combo guard Mario McKinney Jr.  In addition, there is sophomore guards Xavier Pinson, Javon Pickett and Torrence Watson.  I didn’t lose count that’s six roster members so if the coach follows through with the reported plan only the Smiths are likely starters. 

This account excludes two guards who saw little floor action last season but return.  Also, of note the coach is attempting to gain an additional season of play for newcomer Axel Okongo.  Okongo is the 7-foot forward who arrived from France over the summer from junior college.  All this might change by the first game November 6, but it is an interesting notion, nonetheless.    

When’s that happened?
Like the Mizzou story above, practice has just begun for Memphis basketball too.  The lineups utilized by college teams across the nation will likely change by November and that might be Memphis too.  In a report on Memphis basketball cbssports.com indicates Penny Hardaway might start five freshmen.  Wow, this is something we haven’t heard since……well the Fab Five of Michigan back in 1991. 

Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson were the names coach Steve Fisher led into that season.  Question, will the assembled talent recruited by Penny rise to the level of the Fab Five?  On paper it appears the prospects at Memphis University might just be that good.  As indicated, this is early but note the freshmen on campus currently. 

James Wisman Rivals 5-star 7-foot 240-pound center

Precious Achiuwa Rivals 5-star 6-9 215-pound power forward

Boogie Ellis Rivals Rivals 4-star 6-2 165-pound point guard

Lester Quinones Rivals 4-star 6-5 220-pound shooting guard

DJ Jefferies Rivals 4-star 6-7 225-pound small forward

Stop, please stop
Much later you will read an assessment of rookie potential compared to players we are familiar with.  We love to compare players but sometimes it’s plain not possible.  I just finished reading an article Russell Westbrook versus Oscar Robertson.  I truly hoped we’d stop that type of comparison, just saying it doesn’t outlaw it.  There is no effective manner of comparing Robertson who retired in 1974 to Westbrook whose career is still evolving. 

How about Shaquille O’Neal defending Joel Embiid or Kevin Durant against Dr. J.?  Nikola Jokic matched against Bill Russell or Donovan Mitchell versus Jerry West.  In the instance of the Westbrook-Robertson matchup the writer noted there were far fewer teams in Robertson’s era.  Westbrook faces far more opposing point guards than the Big O ever had to face.  This rant will not stop anything, we’ll continue to compare players from different eras.