Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Not what we might expect

At this point we are unsure if the NBA season will be resumed, an interesting comment did cross my desk from LeBron James regarding this issue.  We might believe the 35-year old LeBron would welcome the pause in the season.  That is not the case he claims this lull is worst for him than it would be if the season had continued.  Wonder if there are others feeling the same way, players might condition their bodies to play XXX number of games.  We guess down time especially a long one can be more detrimental than playing straight through. In any event this view is certainly not what we might expect.   

Hmmmm!

This is strictly from the land of speculation so you certainly can take it as that.  A name popped up on the grad transfer list and Mizzou earned a spot.  His name, Justin Turner and he’s a 6-4 shooting guard who played at Bowling Green.  This is not a done deal, Mizzou’s got plenty of competition in fact there are 5 other schools on his list.  As for the numbers this past season Turner scored at nearly 19 points and 5 rebounds a game. 

He was a 43% shooter from the floor and sank 36% of his 3-point attempts.  Turner could certainly add firepower to a sometimes-pathetic offense if he should choose Mizzou.  Rest assured this might not be an advantage however two members of the coaching staff are from his hometown Detroit.  The other issue Turner’s not likely to visit the campus with restrictions in place.  He indicated he’d done a virtual tour at one of the competing schools. 

I cannot believe me

Yesterday’s Words eye view regarding father-son combos, I omitted one of the best of the best.  It certainly wasn’t on purpose for the number one Laker fan in Kansas City the name, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant and son Kobe Bean Bryant.  No need of detailing Kobe’s career rather we concentrate on the dad.  Jellybean’s NBA career ran from 1975 to 1983, he was drafted by the Warriors however a trade sent him to the Sixers where he spent four years of his NBA career.  He finished his time in the NBA playing for the San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets. 

Joe was an active player until 2005 playing for several teams in Europe, this provides you an idea why Kobe was fluent in several languages.  In 1992 he began coaching although his last job activity was 2015.  Despite being overshadowed by his son Joe’s NBA numbers are representative.  He averaged nearly 15 points and 5 rebounds a game, Joe was much taller than Kobe standing 6 foot 10 however he was a thin 185 pounds.  This focus on the father is to offer proof he certainly was no slouch although Kobe’s NBA numbers and career certainly exceeded dad Joe “Jellybean” Bryant. 

Didn’t read the detail

Shaka Smart is safe for now, the head man for the Texas Longhorns has been on the hot seat since last season.  I didn’t read the detail but guess this affirmation is through 2020-21.  The University of Texas hired Smart in 2015 after several outstanding seasons at VCU.  I said it at the time, “This is a good hire, Smart can just recruit in the State of Texas alone and turn out successful teams.” 

To date that’s not been the case, his teams have never won more than 21 games.  This compares to six 20+win seasons at VCU, the fewest wins were 26 twice.  Smart’s high-water mark while at VCU was 29-7 in 2011-12.  Why Smart’s record at Texas has not matched his previous success is a mystery.  As an outside observer it might appear recruiting is not the issue…maybe it is the coach? 

An assessment 

My ears always perk up whenever ESPN draft expert Steve Schmitz is around.  A couple of tidbits of information.  “LaMelo Ball is the most talented prospect in the draft” is his assessment of the youngest of the Ball brothers.  The most physically impressive prospect in the draft” are the words of Schmitz.  

Keep in mind the two names mentioned along with Georgia’s Anthony Edwards will be at the top of the 2020 NBA draft.  I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait for June 25 to arrive.  Overall, it’s always difficult to analyze the result draft night, sure the experts award a letter grade for each team.  It’s the belief by many we must often wait 2 or 3 years down the road and that might be the case for 2020, draft experts indicate this is not a very deep draft.