Basketball from a fan perspective

The Stealth Coach

Mizzou’s Cuonzo Martin did it again, the coach got his 5^th commitment for the Class of 2021.  This time it’s a Big Man, YaYa Keita a 6-foot 9-inch power forward out of DeSmet High School in St. Louis.  Several programs were after Keita including Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa to name just a few.  This entire process is fluid however if all the commits arrive next August there will be only one opening on Mizzou’s roster.  The euphoria by Mizzou Nation is good for now, these prospects must prove they can play and compete at the collegiate level proving Cuonzo is a good coach and recruiter.    

Who do we trust might be the question?

ESPN’s Jay Bilas is one of the most trusted voices when it comes to analyzing basketball talent.  The former Duke athlete is regularly available at NBA Draft time lending his insight on many of the athletes chosen.  Everyone has been all over the map regarding LaMelo Ball and his potential talent.  What does Bilas think about Ball’s impact on the game?  This from Bilas courtesy of USA Today:

“Ball has positional size.  He’s a legitimate 6-7 or 6-8.  He’s insanely creative with the ball.  He’s ridiculously talented.  Just a fabulous passer; every bit the passer his brother (Lonzo, a point guard for the New Orleans Pelicans) is.  He just doesn’t shoot it (well).  He’s going to have to really work on it.  He’s got an odd release.  And worse than the odd release?  It doesn’t go in.” 

The last point is one of most interest, despite the regimented training of their father all the Ball brothers appear to have a hitch in their shot.  Let us check Lonzo, from the floor he shot 36% in his rookie year for the Lakers, last season it was 40.6% and in his first season with the Pelicans it was 40.3%.  The numbers are not horrendous however they are certainly not outstanding.  Perhaps the modest shooting is balanced by Lonzo’s ability to run a team with skillful passing and hitting the occasional shot. 

Playoff Rondo

That is the nicknamed given Rajon Rondo by teammate Anthony Davis.  There was never a question I believe with Laker Nation regarding Rondo’s ability to run an offense; he’s proven that fact through a long NBA career.  It’s the other issues that appeared to plague him, after his Celtic days he moved from team to team often only lasting a season.  The Lakers have been the only franchise he’s played for past two season.  Had Rondo become a head case or perhaps he might have always been one was the thought of many. 

Besides the questionable behavior issue was Rondo’s lack of an offensive game, but we might question that view after 3 playoff games.  Rondo is shooting a meteoric 51.7% from the floor with 40% of it from the 3-point line.  The sparkling offense output includes 7.3 assists and 2.7 steals, Rondo is averaging 13 points a game.  Question, can he continue this hot streak through this series and if there is a next one for the Lakers.  We have no idea however it is quite interesting seeing the Rockets back off and daring Rondo to shoot.

Kingston Jamaica

The city on the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica has been the central point of reggae music for the world. The late Bob Marley along with the Wailers, Shaggy, Yellowman, Shabba Ranks and others have been in the forefront of this industry. Can we include Kofi Cockburn in the grouping, after all he is making music as well although it might be in a different form?  The music in this instance is the rhythmic smooth moves of Cockburn on the basketball court. 

 The 7-foot 290-pound Cockburn is also from Kingston, after a productive freshman year at Illinois decided he would look toward the NBA.  Illini fans rejoiced when Cockburn announced he was returning for his sophomore season but that is likely it.  His freshman year announced to the Big 10 and the basketball world another similar year and professional basketball would certainly lie in his future. 

Notice NBA was not included in that last statement and there is a reason, it can be financially rewarding to play in Europe or elsewhere if there is no path to the NBA.  On the other hand, he could look at Hassan Whiteside who spent time in the G-League prior to the Heat and Blazers.  Rest assured there is likely a point Whiteside could have given up, but apparently, he must have lived for the dream.  Can Cockburn bring some reggae to many in the basketball world?