Basketball from a fan’s perspective

I’m sitting on the Mizzou side

This Mizzou fan was opposed to the restoration of Mizzou-Kansas basketball otherwise known as The Border War.  Despite my objections powers beyond yours truly wanted a revival.  The 2020 game is scheduled to be played in the Sprint Center in Kansas City, the next four years the game will alternate between Columbia (MO) and Lawrence (KS).  In the final year the series will return to the Sprint Center again, this Mizzou fan plans on being in attendance for the Kansas City game and the games to be played in Columbia.  I plan on driving the 125 miles to Columbia but refuse to drive the 50 miles to Lawrence for the games there.  

History made once again

There is no single answer at least from this person as much as I claim the sport.  Basketball at all levels continues to make historical moves in hiring, this is but the latest.  Tamara Moore former WNBA player was hired to coach a men’s team.  Moore was hired at Mesabi Range College in Virginia, Minnesota.  She graduated from Wisconsin and began play in 2002 for the Miami Sol and later played for several other WNBA teams.  After the 2007 season Moore began play in Europe, as for her current job Mesabi is a junior college in the state and is located about 200 miles north of Minneapolis. 

Bits n Pieces   

Trae Young leads the NBA in turnovers, TO’s are considered a negative behind an athlete’s name.  No argument from me the opposing team is awarded the

basketball due to the TO.  I’ve always been more mindful of point guards over others, they control the ball 90% of the time setting up the offense.  One note as an illustration, let’s suppose Trae Young throws a magnificent pass to a streaking teammate.  Although the ball was capable of being caught its fumbled out of bounds, turnover on Trae Young. 

The COVID-19 virus forced the cancellation of three additional events, these are high school level games.  The McDonald’s and Jordan Brand Classic, both were scheduled to be played in Chicago, the Jordan Classic March 27 and the McDonalds game April 1.  We include the 2020 Nike Hoop Summit held annually in Portland Oregon which was to be held April 10 is included.  One additional casualty of the COVID-19 virus is likely to be AAU basketball. I’m unsure when AAU will begin practice and play begins but rest assured its delayed as well. 

I thought this comment was quite interesting, with the change in today’s NBA who would we suppose games most resembles Kareem Abdul Jabbar?  The Captain is on record claiming the Lakers Anthony Davis comes nearest the game he played.  I’m unsure about you but that’s a bold statement coming from Hall of Famer Kareem.  Although AD stands 6 foot 10 his arm length is unbelievable. 

Chicago basketball

The Bulls came into existence as an expansion team in the 1966-67 season.  They remain Chicago’s longest sustaining NBA team, if you are a certain age you didn’t realize they were not Chicago’s first NBA team?  In the 1961-62 season an expansion team began play as the Packers, the following season the team underwent a name change they became known as the Zephyrs.  The basis for the name change cannot be confirmed but this is the story reported. 

Chicago’s International Amphitheatre was located next to the stockyards, it was said the stench was quite foul around the arena.  It was said the Packers being an expansion team stunk as well thus the name change.   For unknown reasons the Zephyrs moved to Baltimore in 1963 and were renamed the Bullets after an earlier Baltimore team.  The city would remain home for the next 10 years but that’s another story for another time. 

The third team with Chicago on their jerseys was the Stags, they were an original NBA franchise having been formed in 1946.  The Stags played in the Western Conference from their founding until 1949, the 1949-50 season saw them move to the Central Conference of the NBA.  The Stags final season witnessed them compiling a 40-28 won-loss record. This would be their final season, the team disbanded and that too is lost to history.  So, there you have it, The Windy City’s had three NBA teams in its history.