Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Bits n Pieces 

There will never be another Kobe Bryant or Bill Russell for that matter.  I’m not talking about the talent but the fact they and others spent their entire NBA careers with one team.  Fewer NBA players are traded these days, far more change teams in free agency then in trades.  How about the Hall of Fame factor?  Does it matter if an athlete played for several teams?  During his NBA career Charles Barkley was drafted by the Sixers but played for the Suns and Rockets.  Barkley’s enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Halls of Fame.  This is not focused exclusively on Barkley the same could be said for LeBron James, the Cavs, Heat and Lakers are all on his resume. 

You probably have heard the expression, ‘You can’t teach height.’  Despite the emergence of small ball along with combo guards and 3-point shooting quality tall guys are still desired.  If we saw the Lakers Anthony Davis in high school, we might be surprised.  It’s said in his sophomore year he stood 6 foot 3, he was a point guard back then, of course passing the basketball is a staple of his game.  By now Davis stands 6 foot 10 and checks in at 253 pounds.

It appears Steve Ballmer’s $1.2 billion arena in Inglewood is moving forward.  Environmental concerns have been addressed, according to sources the 2024 planned opening date can be met.  Ballmer believes his Clippers in their own building will establish a separate identity from the Lakers.  Two teams in the same city should have separate buildings.  The Knicks play in Madison Square Garden at the time the Nets decided to make Brooklyn their home they made no effort to secure dates at MSG.  The Nets decided in favor of building their own arena which became Barclays Center, both teams are New York City. 

The clock is ticking     

I’m disappointed, Mizzou basketball has not played at the level many of us expected this season.  Losing to Charleston Southern the other evening is not what the Mizzou faithful expected especially since the game was played at Mizzou arena.  The present roster is primarily underclassmen so most should return in 2020-2021.  The outlook for 2020 prospects looks somewhat bleak for Mizzou if we conduct a check. 

ESPN Basketball Recruiting Top 100 prospects has Josh Christopher as a target for Mizzou.  The only issue, UCLA, Oregon, Michigan and Arizona State are also on his list.  This team was not deep enough to challenge for the SEC crown, but it was hoped by many we’d see improved play this season.  The coach has this season to turn things around otherwise we could see changes in Columbia after the season, the clock is ticking. 

Who are they?   

There names are Lauren Holtkamp, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder.  It’s a sure thing you are unfamiliar with their names and likely have no idea of their occupation.  Unlike entertainers or sports figures, you might walk right pass them without recognizing any of the four, all are NBA officials with Jenna Schroeder being added just this year for the 2019-20 season.  Perhaps that’s a good thing they are not easily recognizable. 

I once read an official’s statement, ‘The game is not me it’s about the action on the court, at the end of the day hopefully no one remembers me.’  The NFL recently added a female official and to my knowledge the only female in baseball is officiating in the minors, none at the major league level.  The NBA has continued to lead in diversity hiring however this is not simply an effort to add female officials.  One of the first two female officials is no longer working in the NBA.  Her contract was not renewed because she failed to meet officiating standards established by the supervisor of officials.  The woman must be just as qualified as male officials.      

Thoughts

Other than an obvious travel by LeBron in Wednesday’s victory what else is new.  Yes, it’s clear the early schedule might be beneficial to the Lakers however the league office is the culprit not the Lakers.  After a quarter of the season played what do I see requires improvement, the only area I see requiring improvement is guarding the 3-point line.  The team’s defense is so much better with Frank Vogel as head coach.  I realize I’m looking at the team with Purple and Gold eye wear so take that into consideration. 

In related news I’m always somewhat surprised at the incredibly dumb stuff Skip Bayless comes up with.  Bayless claims by playoff time a heavy minute LeBron will be worn down while load management would prove beneficial to the Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers.  Granted Bayless might be correct in his assessment however I’d rather see LeBron play than sit when he’s not injured.  In closing these from the words of a fellow Laker fan, ‘Haters get over yourself, you’ve had 5 or 6 years to laugh at the Lakers early success.’