Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Published Monday through Friday weekly

“The SI jinx”
You’ve read of the SI jinx for years, as soon as a player or team earns the cover some catastrophe strikes them.  Tuesday, I worked on an acknowledgement to Hawk point guard Trae Young to be published Wednesday morning and then it occurred?  That very same evening Young sustained an injury which took him out of the game, although it’s not believed to be season ending it still sidelines him for a reported two weeks. 

I know what you are thinking, no Words eye view is not on the level of SI.  SI has hundreds of people working for the publication, this includes writers, publishers, photographers, and many others overlooked.  Words eye view is a blog circulated by one guy who happens to love basketball at all levels.  I just thought it odd as soon as I profiled Trae Young, he sustains an injury. 

Sore shoulder and all
Anthony Davis led the way Tuesday evening in the Laker 120-91 victory over the Grizzlies.  In three quarters AD scored 40 points grabbed 20 rebounds and shot an astounding 26 out of 27 from the free-throw line setting a team record.  Even more amazing is the player who held the record previously, it’s not someone you might associate with the Lakers. 

Hint, it wasn’t Chamberlain, Baylor, Magic or Kobe it was Dwight Howard.  Howard scored 25 points from the line while a member of the Lakers in 2013.  In addition, AD added 2 assists and 2 blocked shots to his total as he stuffed the box sheet.  Even more amazing AD managed this monster game while playing with a sore shoulder he sustained in the Lakers prior game.  If AD can remain healthy the Lakers might have scored a coup with his acquisition. 

This is a developing story
The NCAA will allow student/athletes to benefit from their likeness.  It’s likely this change was brought about by the State of California and its vote to allow financial compensation.  Speculation tends to point toward football and basketball athletes becoming first in line and being the highest paid.  Isn’t this overkill, a North Carolina senator plans on introducing an income tax stipulation?   This is really a little confusing, even if his proposal adds commercial income plus the value of the scholarship an athlete would file on income anyway.  As additional detail is available in both areas, I will attempt to update you.   

Are we sure?
The best basketball conference in the nation, it likely depends on your perspective.  I doubt we’d get any argument the Atlantic Coast Conference is the strongest but how about the conference in second place.  A group of media folks selected the Big 12 as the second best which is questionable for me.  The conference has only 10 members although it once contained 12, this is certainly a clear advantage over other conferences.  The main point of contention is the ability for a deep run at NCAA tournament time for members. 

Kansas failed to win the 2019 conference, the seismic shock we felt last spring was just that.  After winning something like 12 or 13 in a row can we really see the conference as being that strong.  Okay let’s go another direction, Texas Tech made the elite eight in 2018 and 2019, they were NCAA runner up in 2019.  Texas Tech is the one bright shining spot for the conference.  For fans, alumni and others this is not intended to disparage the Big 12.  It’s simply an attempt to point out there might be a stronger conference to nominate for second place, just my thought.  

This was mentioned before

A news story caught my eye, this account reminded me of ABA history.  The ABA began play in 1967 second place in competition with the NBA.  I’ve cried the blues about the Kings leaving here but KC lost its chance years before that.  At some point early KC had been awarded a franchise in the developing ABA, the information I uncovered indicated they could find no place to play. 

This is strange, Kemper Arena was yet to be built (1974) however Municipal Auditorium was in use at the time having opened in 1936.  The Muni served as home for the Kings the first few years and today refurbished remains in use by the NAIA tournament and UMKC basketball.  As for what occurred with the ABA franchise, it was awarded to Denver where they were named the Rockets.  From 1967 to 1974 the team played under that name, while still in the ABA they were re-named the Nuggets in the fall of that year.  In 1976 the Nuggets along with others moved into the NBA.    

Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Published Monday through Friday weekly

Many claim
The Hawks Trae Young should have been the 2019 Rookie of the Year rather than Luka Doncic.  After a relative slow start from January through the end of the season Young played at an accelerated pace.  He managed to finish the season scoring 19.1 ppg along with 8.1 assists.  The only negative might have been his field goal percentage, it wasn’t terrible but could stand improvement.  As for the 2018-19 season Young’s gotten off to a fast start, he’s scoring 34 ppg and 9 assists a game.  As for the field goal percentage its 51.5% after 3 games detailing an improvement over the 41% his rookie year. 

We cannot always project movement from college to the NBA however we shouldn’t be too shocked except for one guy.  The former Oklahoma Sooner led the nation in scoring and assists a feat no player had ever accomplished.  All the Hawks require is surrounding him with additional talent and then the Hawks can really begin to soar.  As for the one guy, he was the local fired sports talk host who made disparaging remarks about Young while Trae was at Oklahoma.  This former radio guy is one of the chief reasons I quit listening to sports talk radio. 

What’s a mid-major?
This might appear a repeat account and it is in a sense, we’ve discussed on more than one occasion the term mid-major and why it’s an untrue account of college basketball.  Once an athlete proves he can play at a high skill level does it matter if he begins his play at a so-called mid-major school?  We can site plenty examples of present day and past players; we might begin our report with the name of Kawhi Leonard who arrived in the NBA from San Diego State. 

NBA scouts uncovered C.J. McCollum at Lehigh University, his backcourt mate Dame Lillard at Weber State.  We could include Butler University’s Gordon Hayward and Steph Curry who attended Davidson in the number.  Paul George came to prominence while at Fresno State while Paul Milsap grew his game at Louisiana Tech.  Hassan Whiteside is a former member of Marshall’s Thundering Herd and one time NBA MVP Derrick Rose played at Memphis prior to the NBA. 

We could check out a few Hall of Fame players beginning with Celtic great Larry Joe Bird from Indiana State, Dwayne Wade was a Marquette Warrior prior to gaining fame with the NBA Heat.  Jack Sikman was inducted into the Hall of Fame in early September; he arrived in the NBA from Illinois Wesleyan.  Few were familiar with Central Arkansas prior to Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen who once played there.  None of the athletes profiled arrived in the NBA from Power Five conferences.  Still in all several current players and the Hall of Fame members all played at mid-major schools. 

Change agents
You can laugh at me later; I believe there are two keys to Laker success this season.  No, they are not named LeBron or Anthony, the names are Dwight Howard and Danny Green.  We know the story on Howard, he’s moved from team to team since he left the Lakers.  Once Boogie Cousins went down with injuries Howard and Joakim Noah both worked out for the Lakers.  This writer with no input campaigned for the Lakers to choose Noah over Howard. 

I believe I said Howard might be better offensively, but Noah wouldn’t bring the drama signing Howard.  He convinced management and in turn convinced me.  If his Sunday evening game against the Hornets is an example of his Laker future all I can say is “bring it on.”  As for Green he appears to be that spot up shooter the Lakers need with skillful passers LeBron and AD on the frontline.  Notice I didn’t say championship, but I do believe Howard and Green will aid the Lakers to gain a playoff berth. 

Winter
We probably have typical Midwest weather in Kansas City hot summers, as for winter that’s another matter.  The average winter temperature is supposed to be 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius) which isn’t bad.  On occasion there are extended periods in the teens and below zero although they generally are not long lasting.  Snow, we probably received more snow on average than we did when I was a child. 

We can have an accumulation of 5 inches of snow and the temperature not warm enough to melt any of it, we could have another 3-4 inches later in the week  dumped on top of that already on the ground.  What’s good about winter in Kansas City, nothing except for basketball.  Technically basketball is played year-round but you get the idea.  As the calendar moves toward the end of this year the game, we love high school, college and the NBA is ever present. 

I don’t remain mad forever
Unless you steal my money or disparage my family, I’m easy.  I will forgive you for what I believe to be errors in judgment or action.  With that allow me to say the Magic man has moved back into my good graces.  I was upset with Magic Johnson first for resigning at a time I believed he was in charge.  Soon it was an appearance on one of the morning ESPN programs.  Magic blistered the Laker organization with his views before a national audience. 

He led many us to believe the Lakers were a dumpster fire, we discovered quite a while ago he was unable to coach more recently, we discovered he couldn’t effectively run the Laker front office.  The surprise for many of us Magic’s generated large sums of money from his entrepreneurial enterprises since his NBA retirement.  His play on the court led to several Laker championships over the years.  The Magic man is just that, someone I cannot hold a grudge.  Upset at him yes but I don’t remain mad forever. 

Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Published Monday through Friday weekly

“I ain’t gettin on no time machine!”
I saw a news story on a proposed hyperloop, this tube system would take a traveler from Kansas City to St. Louis in about 30 minutes. The present auto drivetime between the two cities is 247 miles about 4 hours.  I’m extremely claustrophobic, it’s bad enough for me to fly “sealed” inside an airliner 30,000 feet in the sky.  It reminded me of a story I once read about Jim "Bad News" Barnes, who played for the ABA Spirits of St. Louis. The story is told his team was in Louisville about to return home. 

"Barnes was informed The flight leaves Louisville at 8 pm and is scheduled to arrive in St. Louis at 7:56 pm. Upon reading the flight itinerary he (Barnes) becomes confused and asks how can this be, someone breaks down the time zones and how St. Louis is an hour behind Louisville. He says that they can cancel his ticket because “I ain’t gettin’ on no time machine! He proceeded to rent a car for the trip.”  As for me I feel the same way as Barnes but for a different reason, I ain't getting on no hyperloop, traveling I-70 will do for the time being.  🤔

Maine Red Claws
The Celtics G-League team is in Portland Maine about 2 hours drivetime from Boston.  Although Tacko Fall is on a 2-way contract he will spend the greater portion of the 2019-20 season in Portland.  He will be taught the correct manner in this age to play center.  Former Celtic Vernon “Cornbread” Maxwell offered some tips recently for the Big Man. 

Maxwell stated his belief for success at the center position was good footwork, think about several of the great NBA centers.  What did all the center greats have in common, that’s its good footwork?  Locate video on YouTube of Kareem, Hakeem or even some of the past greats.  We tend to think of Shaq as brute force around the basket (and he was).  Check out video other than the dunks, we are not sure who taught him, but Shaq had good footwork around the basket.     

Two nicknames
Nick Van Exel had two nicknames, he was “Nick the Quick” because of his speed and was also “Nick at Night.”  The Nickelodeon cable channel had debuted in 1985, the nighttime programming was titled Nick at Night.  Van Exel with ice water in his veins took several winning night shots leading to one of his nicknames, i.e. Nick at Night.  In 1993 the Lakers chose the 6-1 guard with the 37^th pick in the second round of that year’s draft. 

The re-building Lakers moved Van Exel into the starting lineup, he might have been a trend setter on what would become known as a combo guard.  Van Exel could shoot just as easily as dishing out a significant assist.  After five seasons with the Lakers he was traded to the Nuggets, Van Exel would play for several NBA teams before retiring in 2006.  Since retirement he’s served as an assistant coach at several stops, currently he’s working for the Grizzlies.  Van Exel’s best years were spent as a member of the Lakers and Nuggets. 

The Shaka Smart story
Sometimes we might tend to believe Shaka Smart’s been coaching for 20 years.  Although he was once the youngest head coach in Division I he’s now 42-years old.  Other than his age the question might be what’s going on in Austin?  Last season Smart’s Longhorn team won 21 games the most he’s won since his arrival at Texas.  This is pale by comparison to his VCU teams who won 29 games 28, 27 twice and 26 games each season while Smart was head coach. 

Smart became the most highly sought coach until he took over at Texas, this writer believed the move from VCU would be a significant move.  He would be moving to the competitive Big 12 and then a funny thing occurred…. Smart didn’t win at the previously level.  I said at the time and will repeat my statement at the time.  “With the growth of high school basketball in Texas he could recruit exclusively and never leave the state.”  Only the AD can determine if this is the year, but he’s got to produce soon. 

Seattle
I don’t know about you, when I think Seattle three things come to mind Starbucks Coffee, the Space Needle and the Sonics.  Sorry Seahawk and Mariner fans, although the NBA abandon the area quite a while back this remains a basketball blog.  Without research I believe the metro Seattle area is one of the largest in the nation for producing basketball talent, it might rival much larger populated Chicago.  Seattle just might exceed other larger areas in producing basketball talent, it’s not just the NBA but other professional leagues.  In addition, this would include those athletes from the Emerald City and surrounding metro playing at the collegiate level. 

Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson might be the best known born in Seattle however there are others.  You could probably wake up veteran Jamal Crawford from a dead sleep.  He could sink 8 out of 10 shots from the floor with very little warm up time needed, how about the dunk king Zach LaVine, he’s from Seattle.  Although retired now we can add these names, NBA dunk champion Nate Robinson, Brandon Roy and Jason Terry. 

Dejounte Murray with the Spurs and Allonzo Trier with the Knicks are also born and raised in Seattle.  Although he never played in the NBA current Jazz coach Quin Snyder began his basketball journey in Seattle then Duke and into the coaching ranks.  There are numerous others omitted but you get the idea, Seattle and the surrounding metro has produced a great deal of past, present and will produce future NBA talent.  Paolo Banchero a high school junior and 5-star prospect in 2021 might be that future.  Oh, did I mention he attends O Dea High School in Seattle? 

Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Published Monday through Friday 

Just in case 
It always appears to me each time a new arena opens for basketball/concerts it’s   more palatial than the last one.  Just in case you might have missed viewing one of the games last week below is the link to Chase Center in San Francisco.  Next up, Clippers arena or whatever corporate name to be attached to it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Wr3nutWjc

What is it?
Former NBA player turned broadcaster Stephen Jackson had an interesting take.  He said (and I paraphrase) “Kobe Bryant had a killer instinct something LeBron James doesn’t have.”  I thought about his statement and asked the question, what is a killer instinct?  Is it the ability to intimidate your teammates as Michael Jordan was reported to have done Kwame Brown and others?  Kobe reported to complain about Shaq and Dwight Howard’s lack of a work ethic?  Is deferring to your teammates as we often witness LeBron provides us proof, i.e. lack of killer instinct.  We can decide for ourselves if Stephen Jackson is correct with his assessment of LeBron James. 

The year was
We heard complaints about hearing Celine Dion’s “My Heart will go on” over and over and over, after all it was the title from the epic number one movie “Titanic.”  What else to explore from that time, Bill Clinton was president of the U.S. and NBC’s “ER” was the number one television program.  The top billboard single that year was “Too Close” by the R&B group Next, next we wonder where they are? It was 1998 and, in the fall, Vince Carter begin play for the Raptors. 

A draft day trade witnessed him moving from the Warriors to the Raptors.  That was 22 years ago, Carter’s set several records besides the longevity of his career, at age 42 he is the oldest NBA player to ever suit up for an NBA game.  Although Carter’s played for several teams the Hall of Fame awaits him the countdown has begun although he’s got to retire first.  Carter indicates the 2019-20 season will be his last, the long-held nickname “Vin-sanity” or “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” will be retired from the vocabulary of TNT broadcaster Kenny Smith. 

Basketball does cause me an issue!
I don’t watch a great deal of broadcast or network television other than sports programming.  Even with sports my schedule is somewhat selective as an example, once baseball season rolls around most broadcast programming is offering re-runs.  As for college and NFL football for the most part that’s Saturday and Sunday afternoons, as for basketball that’s totally different. 

Once the regular broadcast and NBA season begins, I must check, “Who’s playing tonight?”  If I add the college games in it becomes additionally crowded, Big Monday and the like.  On Saturday I can watch college games beginning at 11:00 a.m. with the last game coming on at 9:30 or 10:00 p.m.  Does it appear as if I’m complaining, far from it I LOVE basketball season. 

His game is like _______   
It’s mentioned in the past we often compare NBA prospects to an established player.  Often if it’s said ____ is an outstanding talent the comparison provides us a better idea.  One of the mock draft sites utilized has an attention-grabbing style of comparing, nbadraftroom.com is the site.  Most require no further explanation, read and enjoy how they compare players to those we are familiar with:  

Anthony Davis lite=plays like AD but weighs less

John Wall with a jumper

Poor man’s Derrick Rose, bigger Kemba

Diaper Doncic

6-7 White Chocolate=a reference to former Kings guard Jason Williams

Bigger Robert Williams III

Derrick Favors with some sauce

6-7 Steph (Curry) 

Sorry Jerry West   
I saw this all-time Laker team, I didn’t select it, LeBron James did on his Instagram account.  He excluded Jerry West, also missing was Elgin Baylor Rookie of The Year for the Minneapolis Lakers and the first star in Los Angeles.  Also not included in LeBron’s Laker team was “Big Game” James Worthy, Wilt Chamberlain and George Mikan, oh well.  It’s not my list it belongs to LeBron James, he’s the one to take the heat for excluding the names mentioned and including his. 

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Magic Johnson

Shaquille O’Neal

Kobe Bryant

LeBron James

Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Published Monday through Friday 

Change
After reading an extra story regarding Kansas-Mizzou basketball we can understand why the change might have occurred.  The last time the schools played one another in the regular season was 2012, freshman from that year at both schools have either graduated or left school.  The last time the teams faced one another the freshmen class of both schools was in elementary school in the 5^th grade. 

Athletic Directors from both universities have also left the scene, Mizzou’s had two basketball coaches depart since that period.  Cuonzo Martin was coaching at Tennessee in 2012, the one remaining decision maker from that time period is Kansas coach Bill Self.  Alumni, administrators and fans (like me) can fuss and fret all they want the Kansas-Mizzou rivalry once doomed to never occur will begin again.  This is not one game but a six-game series, don’t be shocked if some point in the future additional dates are scheduled past the 2025-26 season.    

Bits n Pieces    
Last February the 13^th to be exact and in July we discussed Kai Sotto.  Sotto is the 16-year-old youngster from the Pacific Ocean island nation of the Philippines.  It was mentioned at the time he needed to gain weight and that’s exactly what he did.  Training in the U.S. he’s added another inch in height, he now stands 7 feet 2 inches and moved the needle on the scale from 210 to 223 pounds.  It was pointed out earlier his dad a former player himself claims his son could grow another 2-3 inches.  Sotto indicates he hopes to play in the NBA someday, hopefully he gets the opportunity. 

Not quite correct, you may have seen the same print ad I did.  It advertised a tee shirt for sale honoring the Sixers franchise.  Inscribed on the shirt “Thanks for the Memories 73 years of Sixer basketball.”  Pictured above the statement on the tee shirt were Dr. J., Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain and a few others.  73 years ago, would be 1946, technically the franchise existed but not the Sixers. 

In 1946 the Syracuse Nationals began play in the National Basketball League which later merged with the Basketball Association of America.  The two leagues would form today’s NBA when they merged in 1949. As for the Nats home base would remain Syracuse New York until 1963 when the franchise moved to Philadelphia.  The only player from the earlier era Hal Greer moved with the team from Syracuse to Philadelphia.

Dividends     
Are we forced to admit LaVar Ball was somewhat correct a few years ago?  Sure, middle son LiAngelo is out there somewhere as for the other two they are paid professionals.  Now that he’s escaped from Los Angeles his game should improve and so should the paycheck.  As for LaMelo he ain’t done nothing yet but is being paid. 

So, we could say LaVar was correct on 2 of the 3 of his predictions, oh the other part.  All 3 sons playing for the Lakers is not likely to occur.  As for R.J. Hampton he too might benefit from heading to Australia to play.  The 2020 mock draft compiled by bleacherreport.com places both in the lottery, LaMelo as the 3^rd pick and Hampton at 10.  It’s early the NBL began play about a week prior to the NBA however the NBL season is shorter. 

Somebody please inform me
I must admit I didn’t follow Rick Barnes much while he coached Texas, it seemed every season he was on the hot seat with threats to be fired.  When he finally was fired in 2015 Tennessee immediately hired him, “I thought let’s see what he does there.”  Pretty doggone good mind you, Tennessee basketball has been on an upward trend, last year finishing 31-6. 

They were losers in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.  I decided to check Barnes record at Texas and discovered in 16 years he experienced one, repeat one losing season.  Was he fired at Texas because his teams couldn’t beat Kansas?  That’s not really saying much several conference schools had trouble as well.  It appears Barnes is continuing to recruit at a greater than average pace.  This almost guarantees Tennessee another successful season and leaves me and other scratching our heads why he was fired at Texas.

Basketball from a fan’s perspective

“There are 81 more”
By now you are aware of the final score, Clippers 112 Lakers 102.  Prior to the Laker-Clipper game an acquaintance provided me and others with a final score.  This individual had the Clippers winning 100 to the Lakers 99.  My response, “There are 81 more games.”  Certainly, I was disappointed with the outcome but how can I really be upset with one game especially the first one.  I told him “Come back and see me in April.”  I have no intention to expect subpar play from the Lakers without addressing issues I can see as a fan, stay tuned for further developments.  

Greg Oden
On the eve of the 2019-20 NBA season the injury news regarding Zion Williamson stunned most of us.  A friend sent a comment to me, “Oh man. Not another Greg Oden.”  Several might not remember the name; Oden from Ohio State was the number one pick by the Blazers in 2007.  Oden had “NBA All Pro” written all over him, how good was he projected?  One NBA scout stated, “He’s the second coming of Bill Russell?”  The comparison to Russell was evident, his single season at Ohio State Oden demonstrated a keen ability to rebound the ball and block shots. 

In the same manner of Russell his offensive game was somewhat limited, the other parts of his game caused NBA GM’s to set up and take notice.  His NBA career never really got off the ground, from 2008 through 2014 Oden managed to play a total of 105 games and never a full season.  The list of injuries he suffered are far too numerous to enumerate in this short account. After frequent attempts to resurrect his NBA career Oden finally gave it up although he managed to play in Ice Cube’s Big3 league in 2019.  Finally, in conclusion we all hope Zion Williamson fully heals and produces NBA numbers all believe are capable. 

I wonder
Sprint has been in discussion for several years regarding a merger or buy-out of the company.  The FCC has approved the merger between Sprint and T-Mobile although it’s my understanding they remain separate companies as this is written.  Just in case you thought this might be a Wall Street Journal or Business Enterprise story it’s not although it certainly is corporate related.  Our story begins with Minute Maid park in Houston, the home of the baseball Astros did not always include that name.  At the time the park opened it was known as “Enron Field.” 

Some years after signing a 30-year naming rights deal Enron went bankrupt, shorten version of the story an agreement was made to remove the name Enron from the park.  To my knowledge Sprint is not about to go bankrupt however there is a naming rights issue locally.  The downtown arena in Kansas City has Sprint in front of Center, if the merger is ever culminated what name remains on the basketball/concert arena?  In the issues of the world this is quite trivial however it does remain a question. 

The best coaches  
There are far too many good coaches in my view to focus on one.  At the same time my list includes NBA coaches as well.  We’ve heard for years NBA coaches manage more than coach.  That statement might well be true but explain this, how is one coach able to direct an under achieving team to success? You might find this interesting most had coaching histories which might surprise.     

John Thompson began coaching at the high school level same for Adolph Rupp, as for Gregg Popovich it was Division III basketball.  Phog Allen first coached at Baker University now an NAIA school, in 1905 the NAIA did not exist.  Several coaches on the list were before my time, they are on the list by reputation.  These are not in any order; my Top 10 plus 2.  Sorry fans I could have stopped at 10 however I thought there were others worthy of consideration.  

Pat Riley-Lakers, Knicks & Heat
Phil Jackson-Bulls, Lakers
Adolph Rupp-Freeport HS & Kentucky
Mike Krzyzewski-Army, Duke
John Wooden-Indiana State, UCLA
Phog Allen-Baker, Haskell, University Central MO & Kansas
Red Auerbach-Washington Caps, Tri-City Blackhawks & Celtics
Gregg Popovich-Pomona-Pitzer, Spurs
Larry Brown- several college & NBA stops during his career
John Thompson-St. Anthony HS, Georgetown
Clarence “Big House” Gaines-Winston-Salem State
Bill Self, Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Illinois & Kansas

Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Publishing change
The NBA season began Tuesday evening, the non-conference portion of the college basketball season begins in about three weeks.  With the basketball season upon us there will be a publishing change in Words eye view.  Beginning this week, we begin publishing Monday through Friday.  There will be no weekend editions, hopefully you enjoy this publication and will continue to read in its revised format.  

Come on Doc we thought you were better than this   
The Clippers coach went on the record indicating “Los Angeles would always be a Laker town.”  First the compliment and then the devaluation of the product.  The esteem coach wanted all to know, “The Lakers have only won 11 championships in Los Angeles.”  Rivers discounted the 5 championships won by the Minneapolis Lakers.  How about your coaching Doc, it’s quite interesting reading the comments of former Clipper J.J. Redick about his time.   

“We really f****d that up. We had a chance to win. To me it was such a special time and then by the end of my third year, fourth year it just felt completely different. And there were these small little cracks and small little fractures and we didn’t do the right thing and we didn’t repair them the way we should have and address them the way we should have. I look back and I’m like, ‘How did that team not win one championship?’ 1.  Okay Doc while we are counting championships how many have your Clippers won?  Hmmmm, I thought so.   

1.clutchsports.com

Global Warming
Forget that, Hell has literally frozen over, remember Bill Self and Kansas unwilling to play Mizzou after they left for the SEC.  I’m still confused as why so much vitriol was aimed strictly at Mizzou, after all one-year earlier Colorado and Nebraska left the Big 12 ahead of Mizzou.  Both states share a common border with Kansas along with Missouri.  

To my knowledge neither school got the hatred aimed at Mizzou. 24-hours after the announcement I’m not so sure I want to EVER PLAY Kansas again.  Oh well, I can’t stop the move, but I can show my contempt I can pull a Norm Stewart.  It’s been reported the long-time Mizzou coach would bus his team to Kansas City stay in a hotel overnight.  In the morning the bus would make the 40-mile trip to Lawrence Kansas, Stewart didn’t want to spend a dime in the State of Kansas. 

Point guard
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on your roster do you really need a point guard? The answer to that question might be yes and no, both players are skilled passers.  This is being mentioned because an ESPN broadcaster said there would be less wear and tear on LeBron if he played the point. 

Sure, LeBron would be forced to guard speedy point guards but no bumping bodies for 40 some minutes with guys close to his size in weight.  I certainly could see the soon to be 35-year old playing the point.  On the other hand, it would be nice to have a veteran in Chris Paul or Goran Dragic.  There is an issue, $$$$ the Lakers have no cap space or the ability to pay either player.  Hey Rob Pelinka, do the voodoo that you do to make this move occur.     

“Just win Baby”
The headline above was coined by the late Al Davis owner of the NFL Raiders.  This is strange; this begins with an NFL phrase moves to baseball and ends with the NBA.  Reports have been generated the baseball Royals are on the market.  (later a sale was confirmed) I say they need a new owner based on history.  A publication pointed out the Royals have been a losing franchise 19 of the 24 years the Glass families owned the team.  The family cannot pitch or hit a baseball however they could have made a better attempt to place a winning product on the field. 

The Royals decided in favor of profit over placing a winning team on the field.  Although the Lakers have suffered adversely on the court that’s not always been their history.  We need look no further than the Lakers 16 NBA championships.  Although the Warriors lost the 2019 NBA championship that’s not always been the case either, they have been a successful franchise over the last several years.  I believe fans are realists, they hope for a win every time out but believe it’s not possible.  All owners must do is make a valid attempt to build a winning franchise something the baseball Royals have failed at times. 

Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Rivalry renewed
Mizzou and Kansas had one of the oldest college basketball rivalries in the nation, it dates to 1907.  In 2012 all that changed, Mizzou left the Big 12 Conference for the SEC while Kansas remained.  Although many on the Missouri side of state line wanted to continue play elements on the Kansas side refused.  In 2013 this writer pointed to Rutgers and one other school as evidence this didn’t make sense.  Rutgers and this long-time rival faced the same issue but concluded differently. 

The two schools wanted to continue play so they signed a home and home agreement to be played during the non-conference portion of their schedules.  In 2013 the question was raised by this writer why Mizzou and Kansas couldn’t set up the same type of schedule.  The two schools played an exhibition game for charity two years ago but that was the only instance since 2012.  Well there is this news, today it was announced the two long-time rivals will play once again each season for the next six.  

2020-21: Dec. 12, 2020 – Sprint Center, Kansas City, Mo.

2021-22: TBD – Lawrence, Kansas

2022-23: TBD – Columbia, Missouri

2023-24: TBD – Lawrence, Kansas

2024-25: TBD – Columbia, Missouri

2025-26: Dec. 13, 2025 – Sprint Center, Kansas City, Mo. 1.

1.rockmnation.com

That’s Halloween scary
The headline from slamonline.com caught my eye immediately, “Zion Williamson to miss WEEKS at start of season.”  The plural, weeks rather than singular and certainly more than day to day regarding his injury.  There are few details as this is written, my first thought 6 foot 6 and a 280-pound frame, not only that issue but the floor.  The few pre-season games we’ve managed to see Zion is sprinting up and down the court.  As this account was being completed came word, surgery for a torn meniscus he’s out of action for 6-8 weeks.  

Caught us (Laker Nation) off guard
In the June 2018 draft the Lakers selected Moritz Wagner from Michigan with the 25^th pick in the first round.  Wagner is a 6-foot 11-inch 245-pound center/power forward but he’s now a member of the Wizards having been traded in July 2019.  In 2018 the Lakers brought in several players for workouts prior to the draft, one in that number was Mitchell Robinson a 7-foot 1-inch 240-pound center.  Robinson had been enrolled at Western Kentucky but left in his freshman year without ever playing. 

At the time it was reported he would begin training for the 2018 NBA draft.  Once workouts proceeded it was reported the Lakers developed a great likeness for Robinson, it was believed once the draft occurred, they would choose him.  The draft unfolded and a strange thing occurred the Lakers passed on Robinson.  Was it his short tenure at Western Kentucky or something else that caused them to change their mind? 

We’ll never know for sure the why but this we do know; the Lakers allowed the Knicks to draft Robinson.  Fast forward to 2019 on fansided.com it was written there were 3 players the Lakers should have drafted instead of Wagner; bet you can’t guess their number one pick?  This is no projection of stardom for Robinson, it’s high school no college and the NBA with the Knicks.  Decisions of his choosing forced him to adapt to NBA play on the fly.  He’s raw but in his brief time on the court he’s shown a propensity to block shots and rebound the ball two keys for a Big Man to dominate play. 

Quin
The Jazz coach is now 52-years old, he’s no longer the impulsive bad-decision making individual he was at Mizzou.  Perhaps it might have been a good thing if Mizzou had not hired him.  The decision to replace legendary coach Norm Stewart was Snyder or Bill Self.  Perhaps not only Snyder’s history may have been different so too might have been Kansas basketball.  The coach had to mature, there were several stops after he left Mizzou. 

Snyder served in the G-League as head coach and then had three stops in the NBA as an assistant and one in Moscow.  He was hired in 2014 as head coach for the Jazz and he’s been on an upward trend since then.  Despite the fact Snyder had two-years remaining on his contract the Jazz gave him a long-term extension.  The coach has proven he knows how to do that coaching thing, everything considered, was he too young and too immature at the time Mizzou hired him?