Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Don’t get ahead of your skis

We’ve heard the term above quite often in the past few months.  I don’t ski but I guess the explanation is don’t attempt more than the conditions allow.  We could make the same statement regarding the NBA season, despite the Christmas Day loss to the Clippers the team bounced back with two consecutive wins.  Currently the 26-7 record of the Lakers remains the best in the NBA, certainly I’m pleased but I also remember back to this time last season. 

LeBron James was injured in the 2018 Christmas game and would miss the next 27 games.  By the time he returned injuries to other teammates sunk the season and coach Luke Walton.  Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game in all professional sports.  As for 2020 I don’t plan on getting ahead of my skis, let’s just say I’m pleased for now and hopefully the Lakers continue play at this level.  For the second game in a row LeBron James was not the high scorer shooting 30% from the floor scoring 13 points and dishing out 13 assists.   

Injury prone 

No argument here, Kyrie Irving is a very talented basketball player.  In addition to the talent Irving appears fragile, since his NBA entry he’s never played a full 82-game schedule.  If this appears criticism that is not the case, this is not to say he’s should be an iron man if you are sick/injured you need to sit.  NBA stats indicate the 2014-15 season while with the Cavs he played 75 games. 

The 2015-15 season represents the high-water mark for games in his 9-year career.  Irving’s first season with the Nets has witnessed him on the court for 11 games as this is written, with Kevin Durant sidelined too this season might not have unfolded as the Nets might have hoped.  The Nets GM says Irving is “close to returning” however the announcement gave no timetable on his possible return. 

Bits n Pieces

We are all familiar with the chant “Were number one” by several college basketball fans after a win.  At least this time it’s more correct than not, for the second week in a row Gonzaga avoided an upset and remained number one in the AP Poll.  It’s been mentioned previously the 2019-20 college season no one team remains at the top of the poll for an extended period. 

LeBron James is leading the NBA in assists with 10.8 a game, curious I researched the question. 1946-47 was the first year of the NBA, a guard has been the assist leader every year except 1967-68.  That season center Wilt Chamberlain for reasons not fully explained quit scoring huge numbers but concentrated on distributing the basketball.  If LeBron is the leader at the end of the season, he would become the 2nd non-guard to lead the league in that category. A bit of trivia for you to store in your memory banks.   🤔

A report was issued indicating there could be massive traffic jams in and around the Clippers planned arena.  With the Forum and its concerts and the Rams/Chargers Stadium close by who would have figured?  I’m being facetious here; you have the Forum with some 17,000 seats probably more for a concert.  Add to it the 70,000-capacity football stadium plus the 18,500 seats in the Clippers planned arena.  The only hope for those attending events is precise effort will be made to coordinate dates for all three venues. As sure as I’m sitting here this won’t always occur however it should. 

The two-headed Laker center of JaVale McGee/Dwight Howard scored 26 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and had 4 blocked shots versus the Mavs.  Once Boogie Cousins returns to action the center position will be greatly enhanced.