Basketball from a fan perspective

Game four---We witnessed no repeat of Game one, the action from the Thursday night match was like an MMA match.  The final score read Lakers 114 Nuggets 108, but it was how we got to the end.  The team from Denver outshoot the Lakers from the floor although not by much, as expected they also were ahead slightly from the 3-point line.  The Lakers received the usual from both LeBron and AD however starting Dwight Howard over JaVale McGee appeared to cause the Joker problems.   

Oh, the rebounds…after being outrebounded badly in Game three by the Nuggets the Lakers made a statement leading 44-31.  Who wins tonight, I have no idea however I continue to believe this is the Lakers series.  Frank Vogel’s decision to start Howard over McGee might have set the tone, at this stage Howard is certainly no longer the offensive threat he once posed.  Despite this fact he certainly is more a threat than McGee.    

Bits and Pieces---Charles Dickens wrote a classic novel titled Great Expectations originally published in 1860.  We could say great expectations apply to Mizzou basketball fans for the upcoming season, it’s the fault of “tothefinishline” the social media page of Mizzou Men’s Basketball.  They released a statement indicating the Tigers return 88% of their offense from last season.  They take it one step further claiming, “Most experienced team in the (SEC) league.”  See why we expect great things on the court?

How about this story if true, “The Sixers interest in Mike D’Antoni revolves around James Harden?”  The Rocket shooter will be a free agent in two years and its hoped signing D’Antoni the coach will be able to lure Harden.  No commentary on my part just reporting the story. 

“Don’t slay the messenger” is the adage, Brendan Haywood former NBA player was interviewed post-game on NBA TV.  The host asked him about the Nuggets ability to survive and come back after being in a 1-3 deficit twice.  This paraphrases Haywood’s comment, he acknowledge this ability even mentioned the Nuggets could win the next game.  He went on to say they will not beat LeBron James and this Los Angeles team.  They will not beat a LeBron led team for 3 straight games, that’s the other Los Angeles team, which is an AAU team, wow that stung and can leave a mark. 

If you follow the NBA, you know the name Chris Paul, Thunder point guard.  It’s likely only those in North America are familiar with his insurance television commercials.  On ESPN’s First Take Friday morning before going to a break the host said, “Next up we are going to have the real Chris Paul," a takeoff on the television commercial. 

Lucky or good! ---That was the saying, “Would you rather be lucky or good?”  How about the Denver Nuggets being lucky and good?  Several NBA teams passed on Michael Porter Jr. due to injury, see he played but 3 games while at Mizzou.  Prior to the season most mock draft sites listed MPJ as the top pick in the 2018 draft, after his injury and surgery all that changed. 

The 2018 NBA Draft witnessed him a potential first pick in the first round slid all the way down to 14.  Another surgery after the draft but the Nuggets made it clear they were willing to wait, they would allow him to sit out the season.  MPJ would train and rehab to ensure he was ready for the 2019-20 NBA season. Last October he made his NBA debut and the balance of this story is yet to be written. Based on his limited play as a starter and now ready reserve we have a potential star in the making.