Basketball
from a fan’s perspective
No matter
Laker Nation was apprehensive prior to
the early evening game versus the Thunder.
AD was sidelined with his glute issue, Saturday morning the team
announced the flu would sideline LeBron for the game too. What would they do with both key stars sidelined? The two mentioned are vital to the success of
the team however it remains a T E A M game. Simple move Kyle
Kuzma inserted into the starting lineup and he would lead in scoring with 36 points,
Rajon Rondo scored 21 points snatched 12 rebounds and had 8 assists. Five other Laker players had double figure scoring games resulting in a 125-110 victory over the Thunder.
I’m sure it’s occurred previously
Number four Baylor met number three
Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse. I’m sure two
top ranked teams have face one another but I don’t ever remember a match like this
4 versus 3 in the Big 12. The game began
rather poorly as both teams didn’t shoot particularly well and committed
numerous turnovers. In the midway point
of the first half Baylor began to assert itself which led them to a 37-24 half
time lead.
Kansas outscored Baylor in the second
half 31-30 but it was too late, final score read Baylor 67 Kansas 55. The defense of Baylor was too much for
Kansas, the Jayhawks shot 39% from the floor and 26.7 from the 3-point line. Someplace ahead Baylor will probably lose a
game but for now they not Kansas appear to be the top team in the Big 12.
The defender
Mizzou Nation was truly disappointed, most
scouting reports had Michael Porter Jr. the number one high school athlete in
the nation. To top this off he was
headed to Mizzou a school never having that highly a talented prospect. In the end it would become three games one as
a starter and 10 points a game average. MPJ
sustained a back injury which forced him to miss his freshman season, at the
end he chose another path.
MPJ announced he was submitting his name
for the NBA draft, sure enough he was made the 14th pick in the
first round of the 2018 draft. Although
he finished out of the lottery it provides proof the Nuggets believed he was
worth the risk. The Nuggets deep at the
small forward position could allow him to rehab and miss the 2018-19
season.
MPJ’s only started one game as this is
written however his coach is singing his praises. It appears Nuggets fans will see what many in
Mizzou Nation were not allowed to see develop.
Listen I get it, many were disappointed however the youngster had
nothing to do (other than play), he didn’t intentionally injure his back. Mizzou Nation needs to calm down with the
complaints about MPJ’s tenure at the school.
No move for move’s
sake
I’ve “traded” Kyle Kuzma but it’s not a
done deal. Listening to the host of one
of the Laker fan sites makes sense. “You
should not trade a player who might be good in the clubhouse for one marginally
better.” Simply stated team chemistry is
just as important as who is on the team.
I’m looking for the Lakers to sign a Darren Collison over making a
blockbuster trade. Of the reserve
players Kuzma has the highest upside, his problem has been twofold this season.
Injuries and consistency have inhibited
his play, in addition this is not the Laker team of the recent past. Kuzma is not starting and his role now is
totally different with AD on board. In
any event in the starting lineup due to injury Kuzma scored 26 points in the
teams win over the Mavs. He will likely
remain a starter until AD returns, as for Collison JR Smith or anyone else
we’ll simply wait and see. Not making a trade or acquisition might be the best Laker move in the long run.
