Basketball from a fan perspective

Inside the game

A box score often provides us the WHY of a win, it offers us key points to a win.  The Lakers won Game Three over the Rockets 112-102, a closer inspection of the box score provides detail.  As an example, although the Rockets outshot the Lakers from three (40% to 33%) the total shooting read Lakers 55.1%, Rockets 46.9%.  Rebounds saw the Lakers win the battle of the boards 43 to 40. Turnovers were a draw although the Lakers registered a few more than the Rockets. 

An area of slight concern might be free throw shooting, the Lakers managed a meager 69.6% from the line…that’s got to improve in this series or the next if there is one for them.  One last area offering proof the Lakers have an advantage inside, points in the paint.  The Lakers scored 56 inside while the Rockets managed only 46. 

As for individual effort Rajon Rondo’s outstanding game must be cited, the point guard scoring 21 points while dishing out 9 assists.  The Thunder continued to back off Rondo again daring him to shoot.  Anthony Davis was the de-facto center since JaVale McGee and his bum ankle only allowed him to play 7 minutes.  AD scored 26 points pulling down 15 rebounds, LeBron had his usual study game with 36 points 7 rebounds and 5 assists.  On the other side of the court Russell Westbrook played much better but was unable to lead his team to a win. 

Bits n Pieces

The vision is slowly becoming reality, it’s a go the Inglewood city council approved the plan for the Clippers to begin construction of their arena.  The 18,000-seat arena has been a long-time vision of owner Steve Ballmer.  The vision of Ballmer is understandable if past reports are true, it is claimed the Clippers are last when seeking available dates at Staples, the Clippers of course share the arena with the Lakers, NHL Kings, and other events at Staples.   

I said it, you first heard it here, in addition to the coaching jobs open we mentioned there would be other openings.  That is what occurred on Tuesday, Coach Billy Donovan and Thunder agreed to mutually part ways.  According to the information provided the coach was at the end of his contract.  Who replaces him is a mystery at this point however there are plenty of candidates?  

The stealth coach a.k.a. Cuonzo Martin struck once again, another Class of 2021 prospect has committed to Mizzou.  Trevon Brazile a 6-foot 8 inch small forward from Springfield Missouri tweeted his school of choice would be Mizzou.  Rock M Nation the fan website claims Mizzou might be deep enough at the position they could explore a redshirt for Brazile allowing time to add bulk to his slim 180-pound body.  Rather than number of stars might friend is more interested in the number of offers for a prospect.  In the case of Brazile it is four schools including Kansas.  One additional note, Queens NY is 1,100 miles to Columbia (we believe this to be road miles).  Queens is the home of one of one of the other 2021 commits Sean Durugordon.   

I wonder why?

COVID has certainly impacted the sports world, our focus is the collegiate variety.  As this is written it appears college basketball will operate somewhat differently from football, I wonder why?  Football training camp kicks off somewhere around late July-early August, play begins in September.  Conferences appeared to be operating independent of the NCAA with at least two Power 5 conferences cancelling their season, others such as the SEC intend to play.  College basketball generally begins in the middle of November with non-conference games being played. 

In January, the conference schedule begins, and the entire season culminates with the NCAA Championship in early April.   With basketball the NCAA “appears” to take the lead regarding the schedule college and has a few proposed scenarios.  In fairness to the NCAA perhaps this pandemic is totally different from anything the organization has dealt with in the past.  As we look toward the fall our hope is college basketball is played even in a limited form.  If could be accomplished in a similar manner to the NBA.  As for the tournament we must look at that closer as we near the time.

The Stealth coach

We are familiar with stealth aircraft; many militaries of the world now fly stealth fighters and bombers.  All though they are not invisible their radar signature is difficult to distinguish.  More recently stealth has become the realm of surface warships as well.  Mizzou’s Cuonzo Martin has been dubbed “The Stealth Coach” by yours truly, there is a reason.  With the hype of Michael Porter Jr. and a new coach much was expected of Mizzou basketball. 

MPJ had a less than spectacular freshman season due to injury, since that time Mizzou basketball has not played at the level many believed.  The spring and summer proved ho-hum since Mizzou with mostly an underclassmen team had no requirement to recruit extensively.  The Class of 2021 would be the target and boy was it, the coach flying under the radar managed to secure the commitments of four athletes.  Let us not confuse the issue none of the crop are McDonald All Americans however is that a requirement?  Guys who are talented enough to play the game at the collegiate level is the hope for these athletes.