Basketball from a fan perspective

Stealth Coach

20 or so years ago we first became aware the military had stealth aircraft.  The aircraft were not invisible to radar just difficult to pick up.  More recently the navy has begun building stealth ships which we believe might be in the same pattern i.e. difficult to see on radar.  Mizzou’s Cuonzo Martin operates in a stealth mode, there are a bunch of names out there and then WHAM.  

Mizzou announces they received a commitment, that is the case in the last 48 hours. Kaleb Brown a 6-foot 6-inch point guard and the brother of Kobe verbally committed on Monday.  48 hours came another verbal commitment, this time from Sean Durugordon a 6-foot 7-inch 3-star wing from Queens New York.  

Durugordon joins Brown and Aton Brookshire who committed in late spring.  Mizzou now has three remaining scholarships for 2021, coach will continue to operate in a stealthy manner.  We can never be sure where he might show up and who commits to Mizzou.  247Sports rates Mizzou number 32 in recruiting in the nation for 2021, it's early so the number could improve prior to next fall.  

Load management

Is Clipper forward Paul George good as advertised?  This is no reference to the outstanding 12-18, 35-point game versus the Mavs on Tuesday evening.  The question is simple, is George a superstar or merely a talented athlete?   All season long up to the March pause in play he and Kawhi Leonard were on load management.  It seemed the duo played every other Clipper game however there might have been a basis for George. 

George was returning from off-season shoulder surgery, that fact may have impacted this first season with the Clippers.  A superstar player should have the capability of providing inspiration and leadership to his teammates.  Again, we pose the question does the role fit Paul George?  In this instance you must be the judge, my thoughts and beliefs do not matter.  It would appear the Clippers are likely to win this series perhaps we must wait and see how the balance of George’s first Clipper season plays out. 

Jobs, who wants (who needs) one?

Currently four NBA head coaching positions are open, there might be one or two additional vacancies to occur.  At least one is probably walking if he is unable to secure the contract he desires.  The Rockets Mike D’Antoni is that coach who might be leaving.  The candidate names for head coach floating about are far too numerous to mention for fear of omitting a name.  Despite the rather tenuous position of NBA head coaches there is never a shortage of candidates.  If you (like me) lost track of the teams seeking a new head coach the list below should help:  

Chicago Bulls

Brooklyn Nets

New Orleans Pelicans

Philadelphia 76ers

Indiana Pacers

NOTE:  As this story was completed one more vacancy occurred, the Pacers fired head coach Nate McMillian, the number of new coaches to be hired now totals five and counting.  

I hate it!

I rarely use the word HATE; I believe it might be one of the vilest words in the English language.  In the instance of this account I can state with conviction I hate Dame Lilliard is injured and will not be able to play for the Blazers in Game Five.  The statement is made despite the fact this writer claims to be a card-carrying member of Laker Nation. 

I have become convinced he is a better shooter than Steph Curry, I realize a statement like that might be considered heresy, but it is the truth as I see it.  A knee sprain is the culprit for Dame forcing him to the sidelines for this important game.  As for the Lakers LeBron might be a game time decision as well, suffering from a sore right groin injury.  Oh well, the adage still applies, injuries are part of the game.  NOTE: This account was written prior to cancellation of the entire schedule of Wednesday games.