Basketball from a fan perspective

Surprise, surprise, surprise

Gomer Pyle USMC is available for viewing on several present-day cable networks.  This 1960’s television comedy series dealt with the mishaps of U.S. Marine Gomer Pyle.  Whenever something unexpected occurred in the story Pyle would utter the words, surprise, surprise surprise.  That is where we are today with the announcement from the Nets. 

The team hired Steve Nash Hall of Fame former point guard as head coach.  We cast no aspersions regarding the hire however it caught everyone (including me) flatfooted.  There must have been 10-15 former and assistant coaches who were mentioned as head coaching candidates.  Guess whose name was missing from the list…. Steve Nash.  Nash retired in 2015 and never appeared to have any interest in coaching at this level, this hire should prove quite interesting.   

It is difficult

When you become the first you are open, about half of the folks applaud you the other half offer criticism.  That has been the tightrope NBA ABC/ESPN analyst Doris Burke has walked, many of the negatives dealt with her looks which is amazing.  We desire an analyst to be insightful and to point out areas of the game fans might overlook.  Are many of us that shallow we must focus on that area alone but that is just a part of the role of Doris Burke. 

She is the first to serve in the role of analyst on a national basis covering the men’s game.  Doris is no novice having played the game in high school and college, in 2017 she was hired by ESPN replacing Doug Collins.  At that point she became the first woman to assume the role she presently occupies.  To be honest with you reading this I would rather listen to Burke than the sometimes-rambling commentary of Jeff Van Gundy.  Van Gundy is often guilty of talking about stuff other than the game on the court. 

It must really be difficult

We wrote of Sean Durugordon the 6-foot 7-inch wing committing to Mizzou last week.  It was pointed out home is Queens New York which is almost 1,000 air miles west of Columbia home of the Tigers.  It was not noted at the time but Durugordon mentioned the difficulty with committing without visiting any campus.  That is the issue for this youngster and others in this COVID environment, there is little if any travel to chance setting foot on campus. 

We must imagine a coach or coaching staff must do a dynamite job selling the program of their school.  Other institutions like Kentucky, North Carolina, and Duke this might be a lesser concern.  Schools with highly visible coaches and programs have a built-in advantage during this pandemic.  When this emergency draws to a close, we wonder if commits like Durugordon will be allowed their authorized number of visits by NCAA rules?

Ball in the Family

Despite LaVar Ball’s hoop-la perhaps the Brothers Ball might not be all that good.  Good enough to play at a high skill level but not reach the top of the pinnacle.  As an example, middle son LiAngelo is probably the least talented of the bunch, he may be in the G-League for the duration of his basketball career, there are doubts (despite his father’s claim) he is a genuine NBA talent. 

The oldest brother Lonzo after a couple of average seasons for the Lakers was traded to the Pelicans in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade.  Many believed as I the trade would prove beneficial away from the bright glare of Hollywood and Laker lore.  Lonzo’s numbers improved somewhat for the Pelicans however it appears management is not sold on him long-range.  There are reports Lonzo is on the trading block and if the Pelicans and the trading partner agree he is likely headed elsewhere. 

Two months prior to the NBA Draft we are hearing reports there is skepticism regarding the youngest brother.  In the middle of August former Bulls great Scottie Pippen reportedly said he fails to see why LaMelo is not the top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.  As for the detractors perhaps his play in Australia fooled all of us maybe there are serious flaws in his game.  He was injured and did not play a complete season.  We conclude this account stating all three sons are talented but perhaps not at the level the father touts, we shall see.