Basketball from a fan’s perspective

An addendum

The story yesterday on octogenarians caused me to reflect on an earlier Dick Vitale story.   I wrote of it previously, but it’s certainly been quite a while.  My wife rarely sits down with me and views a basketball game, as for Chiefs football and Royals baseball that’s a different story.  Before my Man Cave was in place most of my sports consisted of viewing games in the Family room of my home. 

One afternoon while watching a game my wife came walking through the room on the way to the kitchen.  Dick Vitale was talking diaper dandy or dipsy doo and maybe other catch phrases in his over the top voice.  My wife stopped dead in her tracks look at me and looked back at the television screen.  “What is wrong with that guy?"  I informed her it was Dick Vitale and added he does that all the time when broadcasting games.   

A win finally

NBA viewership is down from last season how much is unknown.  We heard an ESPN media person claim its due to Zion Williamson being on the sidelines.  This person went on to state NBA fans were anxious to see him action, sitting on the sidelines till now meant fewer viewers.  I say baloney to that type of thought process.  The Pelicans were bad last year with Anthony Davis, it’s highly unlikely they make the playoffs with Zion in the lineup day one.  If this appears a slap at the Pelicans and Zion that is not the case, it was necessary to put the baby to bed on the ratings drop. 

In any event the issue in front of us, although Zion played well in limited minutes the Pelicans suffered losses in his first two games.  Sunday afternoon would be a different story, by the time the game concluded the Pelicans had a win over the Celtics with Zion playing 27 minutes.  In those 27 minutes Zion scored 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds shooting 56% from the floor.  He aided the cause in the Pelicans 123-108 victory over the Celtics.  There are portions of his game he must continue to improve, the area clear to most of us is at the line.  Thus far he's poor from the free-throw line, unless Zion improves teams will employ "Hack-a-Williamson."   

The plan

There is a plan in place to revitalize the Knicks franchise, it begins with the team drafting LaMelo Ball.  The youngest Ball brother has been mentioned on more than one occasion how his draft stock has risen while playing in Australia.  The second part of this plan is for the Knicks to hire former player and current ESPN analyst Mark Jackson as head coach.  Let’s explore the first part, we don’t know for a fact, but it appears Ball will be a talent perhaps exceeding brother Lonzo, check. 

As for the head coach Jackson’s been sitting in the broadcast chair since 2014.  A few might have forgotten or didn’t realize his role in turning around a struggling   Warriors franchise.  For fans of Dub Nation this is no slam at Steve Kerr, he’s a very capable coach.  Many (not part of management) claim Jackson doesn’t receive enough credit for the Warriors success, check.  All this sounds good except for the author of this proposal.  You know the originator of this plan, its LaVar Ball.   

A favorite

Michael Porter Jr. is becoming one of my favorites, it’s easy to see why.  He’s beginning to display the prowess we expected but never witnessed while at Mizzou.  As this is written his numbers are not going to wow anybody.  Considering that MPJ is playing reserve minutes he is providing justification for the Nuggets drafting him in the first round.  Coming off injury he sat out last season, he’s shooting 50% from the floor and 46% from the 3-point line. 

MPJ is scoring nearly 7 points and 12 rebounds a game while playing quality team defense.  What does the future hold for MPJ, it’s possible he could move into the Nuggets starting lineup or they could trade him.  A trade might provide him the opportunity to move into a team’s starting lineup immediately.  This is not to say starter minutes cannot come as a member of the Nuggets.  A future potential star to keep your eyes on, Michael Porter Jr.