Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Help Wanted

We are a growing company requiring additional personal to secure an NBA championship. 

Primary responsibilities 

Provide scoring assistance and support to the team as a reserve player.  Be able to fulfill other needs as assigned by the head coach and/or members of the coaching staff.  Willing to work in an environment featuring several diverse personalities.

The Company:  Los Angeles Lakers Inc.

Position:  Reserve guard or forward

 Mail your resume to:  Rod Pelinka, General Manager

                                    Los Angeles Lakers

                                    1111 Figueroa Ave

                                    Los Angeles, California 90015

Jay Bilas

Former Duke player, attorney and current ESPN basketball analyst.  For those unfamiliar with Bilas I wanted to provide a portion of his resume.  He listed his Top 68 college teams for 2019-20 season, I wanted to coincide his list with Mizzou combatants.  These are not in date order but the Bilas ranking of the schools. 

Mizzou faced number 15 Butler, 16 Kentucky and 33 Xavier followed by Oklahoma at 49.  Mizzou lost games against all those mentioned however they beat number 50 Illinois.  Where am I going with this account you might ask?  This might provide proof to many in Mizzou Nation the schedule might not have been as “soft” as many first believed or the team might not be as bad as speculated.  Hopefully this schedule will bode well for Mizzou’s future in the SEC race this season. 

February 6

I’m not rushing things; however, the second month of the year will soon be here.  The significance of the month might be asked by those reading this, what’s going to occur in February?  For starters there is Ground Hog Day February 2 but only in America.  We also have Valentine’s Day, if you are a male, you’d better not forget February 14. 

In between those dates February 6 will see the NBA trade deadline, this is the last date teams will have an opportunity to trade players. Teams expected to earn a playoff berth will attempt an upgrade.  Speculation exists who might be coming and who might be going to a new team.  There are far too many names floating about to mention all of them, let's wait and see if any earth-shattering trades occur between now and that date.   

It was worth it

At the time Dwight Howard left the Lakers I almost cheered, I don’t remember but I wasn’t displeased with the move.  I watched as he moved from team to team, honestly, I didn’t have a clue, but it seemed he never lasted anywhere very long.  Injuries were certainly a contributing factor in Howard’s play over the period.  During the summer the Lakers were assembling talent after the AD trade, Boogie Cousins was signed, and the team was ready.  BAM…Cousins goes down with an ACL injury while working out and a backup for JaVale McGee was needed. 

The Lakers worked out Joakim Noah and Dwight Howard, this Laker fan did a thumbs up on Noah and thumbs down on Howard.  History was at work here and I just didn’t believe Howard was a good fit, despite my advice the Lakers signed him to a non-guaranteed contract.  Yes, I thought, that’s a good idea if he doesn’t work out, he’s history.  Later we discover Howard through his agent had asked for the contract to be written in that manner.  On Tuesday January 7 the Lakers guaranteed Howard's contract for the balance of the season.  Based on his play to date Howard certainly deserves it.