Basketball from a fan’s perspective

It’s almost 2020

This collegiate season is certainly different for me, it’s almost 2020 other than Mizzou I’ve seen few games.  I cannot say there is one thing there are thoughts, however.   The prospect of seeing Duke’s Zion Williamson was thrilling, we watched in amazement his thunderous dunks and his 285-pound body speeding up and down the court. 

In addition, we had perhaps the second coming of Allen Iverson.  Speedy Ja Morant from Murray State was prime time viewing, his ability to shoot plus distribute the basketball almost demanded we see him in action.  There were others but those two stand out for me.  Then it was the teams, this season there have been so many upsets there is no one or two teams playing above everyone else.   

“Own him!”

Laker Nation is not pleased with the Lakers losing Christmas Day versus the Clippers.  This card-carrying member of Laker Nation is upset   with the outcome however the residual effects by the media are more troubling.  One publication said, “Kawhi Leonard did own LeBron James on Christmas Day.”  No argument from me the 35 point 12 rebound 5 assist game was an outstanding effort by Leonard. 

LeBron didn’t shoot particularly well, was the issue Leonard’s defense or the groin issue the basis for an average shooting evening for LeBron?  In any event LeBron’s 23 points 10 assists and 9 rebounds ain’t too bad for an old guy.  If this appears as if I’m making an excuse for LeBron James so be it, the Battle of Los Angeles is not over YET.  Health remains a vital concern, Lebron indicates he plays Saturday evening against the Blazers…I hope not.   

What if…

The Warriors are awarded the top pick in the 2020 draft, who do we suppose they choose?  This is not in any order; most NBA mock sites list the players below as the top 6.  They are not place in any order just their names, height position and school/country.      

Anthony Edwards 6-foot 5-inch shooting guard Georgia

James Wiseman 7-1-inch center Memphis

LaMelo Ball 6-8-inch point guard Australia

Obi Topping 6-9-inch small forward Dayton

Nico Mannion 6-3-point guard Arizona

Scouting each athlete is key, we cannot accomplish the task in this short piece.  In addition, we cannot get inside their heads and uncover what makes them tick, that becomes a best guess for now.  You are Warriors GM Bob Meyers or head coach Steve Kerr, which athlete do you select?

Quit please

Legendary Celtic Bill Russell had numerous battles with Wilt Chamberlain but none with Kareem Abdul Jabbar.  See Russell retired in the spring of 1969 and Kareem began his NBA career in the fall of that year.  Magic Johnson first retired in 1991 and briefly played in 1996, Michael Jordan came on the NBA scene in 1984.  Any competition between the two would have been limited.  We could make that same statement regarding another of other athletes.  One may have been at the peak of his career while the other had retired or was about to retire. 

I’ve made this statement time and time again I truly wish the arguments would cease.  They might be interesting to many of you but not me, how do we compare Russell Westbrook’s triple double to those of Oscar Robertson?  Different players and certainly different basketball eras with different rules.  Hand checking has been eliminated however in the 60’s and ‘70’s a defensive player could legally place his hand on an opposing player back.  The idea was to impede the players movement into the offensive end of the court.  Oscar Robertson dealt with hand checking something Westbrook cannot contemplate. 

Surprise to date

The Lakers and Clippers were expected to be competitive this season, the same could be said for several teams in the Eastern and Western Conference.  Missing in most assessments were the Dallas Mavericks, not a single soul predicted they would play at this level.  Consider this, if the season ended today in the west the Wolves, Blazers, Spurs and Warriors miss the playoffs. 

All earned playoff berths last season excepting the Mavs who are a current 3 seed as this is written.  Key to this improved play is Luka Doncic however he’s only a vital cog in the development of the team.  As Kristaps Porzingis fully recovers his game there is no telling how high the Mavs will soar.  NBA champions this season, serious doubts on that however there might rise to that level in the distant future.