Basketball
from a fan’s perspective
Zion
Is Zion Williamson the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year, that was
part of a discussion on Tuesday evening by the television broadcast crew. Those of us able to witness saw Zion in game
number 33, his chief rival for ROY Ja Morant has appeared in almost twice as
many games thus far. If Zion plays the
balance of the Pelicans season, he will total 56 games. Of course, injury curtailed his play until January
2020. How impressive was the youngster,
after the game LeBron had nothing but praise for the youngster?
As for the Laker-Pelican game it wasn’t the match most
expected, for much of the evening Zion rarely faced LeBron and vice-versa. Despite this both stars (notice I wrote both)
had outstanding games. The teen age Zion
had 29 points along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists, he shot 44% from the floor. The other guy had a 40-point game despite 7
TO’s, he changed the game in the 3rd quarter going on a scoring
binge. The final score read Lakers 119
Pelicans 109, there is no quit in these Pelicans as former Laker Brandon Ingram
torched his old team for 34 points.
There are occasions
If you’ve read Words eye view any length of time you
know I have issues with the take of Stephen A. Smith at times. This is one of those occasions listening to Smith’s
commentary last week on Russell Westbrook we are on the same page. This is not a talent issue, there is no
argument on my part or anyone else Westbrook is just that it’s his inability to
dial back his aggression. Westbrook
leads NBA players in technicals (13) this season, three more before the end of
the season and it’s a one game suspension.
Everyone in Westbrook’s periphery is the enemy, the media, game
officials, opposing players and opposition fans. This is the key for me, Westbrook claims he’s
sometimes singled out by officials. It’s
clear after a dozen years in the NBA Westbrook is never going to tone-down his
sometimes over the top mantra. If he
must play at this level to stoke himself up so be it, hear this. Don’t complain about game officials picking
on you unless you Westbrook, are willing to change which apparently you
refuse. UPDATE: In Wednesday night action against the Grizzlies Westbrook added to his total receiving his 14 technical foul for the season.
His number is sizeable
Several might remember the story, we discussed Luka Doncic
and the fact he wore jersey number 77.
It was also mentioned few basketball players had numbers higher than Doncic’s
number, the late George Mikan wore 99 for the Minneapolis Lakers back in the
day. Allow me to introduce you to the
newest Laker Markieff Morris, he wore number 88, how this number came about is
easily explained.
Morris had worn number 8, to honor Kobe Bryant he decided to
change numbers. At first it was going to
be 33 but he discovered that number was worn by former Piston Grant Hill. Hill a Hall of Fame candidate is likely to
have the number retired by the Pistons. Morris
decided in favor of 88 saying “I’m gonna do a double 8” *, so the first time
you see him in a Laker jersey you will understand why his jersey number is so large.
*Detroit Free Press
“The best player in
the world”
We rarely have an opportunity currently to see an
inside-outside game in the NBA anymore. With
the change in NBA offenses emphasis on center play is not a priority. Recently Joel Embiid created quite a stir
when he pronounced himself “The best player in the world.” I’m not prepared to argue with him after his
Monday game versus the Hawks.
It was quite noteworthy the self-proclaimed Big Man scored a
career high 49 points along with 14 rebounds 3 assists and 3 steals. Embiid did all this while shooting an outstanding
71% from the floor. We are in the era of
small-ball and 3-point shooting, for me there is nothing like the dominance of
a Big Man game. Those witnessing the
action in Wells Fargo Center or on television saw an exceptional game by
Embiid.
