Basketball
from a fan’s perspective
I wonder
Are the Lakers desperate to make a trade before the
deadline? Some in the media would lead
us to believe that to be the case. Consider
the facts that say a trade might not be as critical as believed. Kyle Kuzma stepped up while AD was out of the
lineup and appears ready to assume the dominant role many believed he was
capable of.
The scoring has “suffered” to a degree whenever LeBron is out
of the lineup. That has not been the
case over the last 4-5 games, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso and Quinn
Cook have been invaluable during the absence of AD. Bottom line make a trade if it appears
to improve the depth of the Lakers bench. On the other hand, I'm not Frank Vogel or Rob Pelinka, they are the ultimate deciders on any move.
A change of scenery
Markelle Fultz might have begun on the path many once forecast. In 2017 he was drafted number one by the Sixers,
but injury curtailed the promise of a bright NBA future. After several starts and stops last February Fultz
was traded to the Magic after playing but 33 games in two seasons for the
Sixers. Fultz had failed to live up to
the hype and promise of a number one draft pick with 7.7 points and 41%
shooting from the floor over time.
What has he done lately well Fultz is scoring at 12 points along
with 5 assists a game. Those are certainly
not astonishing numbers but light years from where he’d first begun. Fultz has now moved into the starting lineup
for the Magic and it appears he might have secured a permanent “home” in
Orlando. LeBron sang his praises recently
after Fultz was key to a Magic victory over the Lakers breaking the Lakers 9
game winning streak.
“He marches to the beat
of a different drummer”
It’s likely you’ve heard the quote above, you might have even
read it here previously. I’ve always
believed it simply states there are people who “travel on the smooth side of
the road, there are others who want the rough side.” In other word’s they don’t follow tradition.
The Nets Kyrie Irving has missed much of the season until
recently, after a short time on the court he wanted to provide his view of the
Nets. “We need help (as a team) was his
comment”, stop a minute and consider a couple of facts. Irving might well be correct however Kevin
Durant will miss the season and Irving was aware of this fact. In addition, did he stop and consider he’d
played few games this season? Irving is
entitled to his own opinion; he’s not entitled to his own facts.
NBA All Star Game
We are a little under a month from the NBA All Star Game, this year's game will be played in Chicago at the United
Center. In my view the Sunday East-West game
has become secondary to the other weekend events. NBA All Star Celebrity Game, Rising Stars
Challenge, The Three Point Contest, Skills Challenge and Slam Dunk Contest are
just a portion of the weekend activities.
A difficult task
The end of the decade’s witnessed attempts to point out
significant NBA and college players plus teams during the 2000’s. There is a problem choosing the Top 10
college players of the decade, it’s not a talent factor rather length of
time. You know the names, Zion
Williamson, Anthony Davis and Jahlil Okafor but there are others. What do they have in common, each played but
one season of college basketball?
On the other hand, Buddy Hield, Jimmer Fredette and Frank “The
Tank” Kaminsky all spent four years at Oklahoma, BYU and Wisconsin respectfully. Williamson, Davis and Okafor had outstanding
freshman seasons but only one year and they are placed on a decade team. I guess we really shouldn’t be surprised
smaller numbers of potential NBA players remain in school these days. Ja Morant returned for his sophomore year,
but he might be the exception rather than the general rule.
