Basketball from a fan perspective

Double-Trouble---The duo of LeBron and AD made their presence felt Friday evening, they led the way to a 124-114 win over the Heat.  LeBron scored 33 points while AD had 32, he also contributed 14 rebounds.  The only negative if there was one the Lakers inability to sink 3-point shots except for guard Rajon Rondo.  The Heat playing zone for much of the evening dared the Lakers to take shots from distance.  Game 3 is scheduled for Sunday as the Heat attempt to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Lakers.  

An Emoni Bates sighting---I’m unsure if this was published earlier, it’s old news but worth mentioning again.  Emoni Bates won the 2019-20 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year award in his sophomore year of high school. Over the summer Bates pledged to attend Michigan State and play for Tom Izzo, we remain unsure at this point if Bates becomes a member of the Class of 2021. 

As for the award, this is the first time in history a high school sophomore’s been accorded this national honor.  Basketball players have won the award previously including LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Kevin Love, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins but they won as upperclassmen.  Bate’s won the Michigan version of the award his freshman year after leading his Ypsilanti team to a state championship.  They were prepared to repeat as defending champions when the pandemic caused the state and nation to shut down.      

Little credit---This is another account written ahead of the championship.  We have no idea if the Lakers win the NBA Championship, if they do who gets credit?  Well LeBron certainly, next up with would be Anthony Davis or AD who proved his value after being acquired in a trade.  There are others especially in the playoffs, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, and Alex Caruso. 

Perhaps the name probably omitted and key to success is that of Frank Vogel.  Sure, he won’t get credit after all he’s got LeBron, the same as Phil Jackson with Michael Jordan as a key contributor.  Vogel was hired as head coach after serving in the role with the Pacers and Magic.  Despite being fired at the end of the 2017-18 season by the Magic, Laker GM Rob Pelinka decided he was the right coach to replace Luke Walton. 

It appears the star of the team has a good relationship with the coach which is certainly key to any team’s success.  The key for many Laker fans is the improved defense, the Lakers like other NBA teams had no problem scoring it was the other thing that held them back.  The Lakers finished in second place in the NBA in team defense for the 2019-20 season. 

Mizzou Nation has questions---Those of us who claim an allegiance to Mizzou have questions.  I have taken the liberty of appointing myself spokesperson for those with queries.  You on the front row in the black and gold shirt, your question?  Are there others?

 Freshman Jordan Wilmore really 7 feet 3 inches tall?

     Will Mark Smith bounce back and most of all be injury free?

     The impact of transfers Ed Chang and Drew Buggs?

     Foul prone Jeremiah Tilmon improve his time on the floor?

     Will Xavier Pinson learn to play at a slower pace?

There are almost certainly other questions perhaps the most important of the bunch.  Will the Mizzou faithful witness an improved product on the court, that is if Covid allows a collegiate basketball season?