Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Are we watching the same game?

Sometimes I wonder if I’m watching the same game as some media members.  This is a small portion of my reading for the Sunday afternoon Laker-Celtic match.  “They (Lakers) barely got past the Celtics and Kemba Walker didn’t play.”  Well a portion of the statement is correct; Walker didn’t play however I have a question.  I wonder if the person writing the account realized despite the closeness of the game it was a win for the Lakers and a loss for the Celtics.  We can dissect a game till the cows come home however the final score is still the objective. 

He doesn’t agree

Media types have compared Zion Williamson to the former “Round Mound of Rebound” Charles Barkley.  Although Williamson weighs more than Barkley did as a rookie, they are both nearly the same height.  The comparison is made despite the fact Williamson is yet to play 30 games however their games are similar.  

How similar, even Barkley agrees they compare except for one fact. Barkley says, “Williamson is a quicker leaper than me.”  Former Piston and media guy Isiah Thomas who played against Barkley says, “Zion Williamson is a more athletic Charles Barkley.”  I know, I’m the guy who hates comparing old school players to the current crop.  We do this I believe because often that’s the only method of judging play. 

Wow

What a weekend, number 3 Kansas won so did number 5 Dayton.  As for the others it was exciting, Kansas knocked off number 1 Baylor and it’s 23-game winning streak.  BYU thumped number 2 Gonzaga while UNLV upset previously undefeated number 4 San Diego State.  The Kansas Jayhawks are most likely to move into the top spot based on the weekend games; the topsy-turvy collegiate season somewhat stable will see a Top 25 shakeup at 2 through 5. 

Point guard or point forward?

Recently Paul Pierce and company were arguing on the ABC pre-game program, the argument “Is LeBron James a point guard or point forward?”  Magic stood 6-9 but so does LeBron, LeBron is 250 pounds and Magic was 225.  Before proceeding can I state the argument, was not resolved by the three analysts; as for current facts LeBron is the current ball handler for the Lakers when on the court? 

LeBron’s never lead the NBA in assists but does this season with 10.7 assists per game, he’s been the league leader all season.  Throughout his NBA career LeBron has been a small forward whose been a primary ball handler with the Cavs and Heat.  He now performs the same task as a member of the Lakers.  If I were to provide my belief here, I’d say LeBron is a point forward over some who argue he’s a point guard. A friend pointed out he rarely plays on the wing and is usually posted at the top.