Basketball
from a fan’s perspective
Time to put up or
shut up
Clipper fans brag about the fact their team has beaten the
Lakers twice. They look the other way
when the subject of the Kings come up, the Kings have beaten the Clippers twice
in the last three weeks both times at Staples Center. All we hear are, “We’ve got to get it together”
or “We’ve had injuries, we need everyone healthy." Finally this one from last night, "Time is now to play better."
As for the injuries they are part of the game, there is
really nothing that can be done other than to adapt and try to overcome
them. As recently as today we read how
the Clippers will beat the Lakers in a 7-game series. We cannot dispute that view however they are
at the point they must prove it. At this
stage the supposed best team in the NBA at least in the Western Conference sure
doesn’t appear to be that.
I never make
predictions
Unlike the talking heads on television I never make
predictions. There are always preferred winners but the ability to judge the outcome of an
event is too difficult for me. As for
the Kansas-Baylor game I was “surprised” based on the variables. Baylor was riding a 23-game winning streak,
they were playing in Waco. Baylor had
beaten Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse one of the few teams to accomplish that feat. The home team (Baylor) cannot win a contest
shooting 40% from the floor and allowing the visitors (Kansas) to shoot a
sparkling 51%.
That’s a match the home team is going to lose 9 out of 10
times. As for the game we continue to
read Kansas Big Man Udoka Azubuike is playing in the wrong era for the
NBA. The NBA game has become an
outside-inside game with emphasis on the 3-point line. 23 points 19 rebounds and 3 block shots are
outstanding no matter the era. The only
element of his game needing improvement is at the line, that is an area a few
Big Men of the past have suffered. Azubuike
at 7 feet and 280 pounds I think I’d likely give him a chance to play on my
team if I’m an NBA GM.
He’s a winner and
so is his program
As surely as the sun rises in the east, we can expect Jay
Wright’s Villanova Wildcats winning 20 games every season. Villanova just won game 20 versus 6
losses. This is the 15th time
Wright’s teams have won 20+ games. The
coach has two NCAA championships on his resume and five times Villanova has won
30 or more games.
This is the most interesting detail, Wright’s recruits’ athletes who are talented, but not dependent on McDonald’s All Americans. The Wildcats always earn an NCAA berth every season; the headline above, Jay Wright’s name has been mentioned regarding the Knicks head coaching position. We could say to Knicks owner James Dolan, “You’ve got to be kidding.” How in the world would Wright want to take over the train-wreck that is the Knicks? Knowing a thing or two about style hands down Wright is the best dressed coach in basketball.
He’s come into his
own
Bam Adebayo of the Heat can play; he just needed the
opportunity to prove it. If we checked
the stats from his first two years in the NBA (6.9, 8.9 ppg) we’d figure there
were questions on his ability. Inserted
into the starting lineup in the 2019-20 season has uncovered the talent
witnessed at Kentucky. The 6-foot 9-inch
power forward is currently scoring at a 16.1 per game clip along with 10.6
rebounds and to prove he’s not one dimensional 5.0 assists. The NBA has taken not of his improved play,
Adebayo was an NBA All Star for 2020.
Keep an eye on this young man he will continue to develop into a quality
NBA player.
The NBA or college
Makur Maker is a
young man with a decision on his hands, is it the NBA or is it college in his
future? The youngster was born in Kenya
by way of Australia and eventually the U.S.
currently he attends Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix. Maker is the number 17 Rivals prospect in the
Class of 2020, he’s listed at number 34 on nbadraftroom.com’s mock draft site. So, there you have it, a prospect with the
opportunity to choose between college and the NBA.
