Basketball from a fan perspective

Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

It appears he’s history---Several websites are reporting Wichita State will fire Coach Gregg Marshall soon in fact it could occur by the end of the week.  The veteran coach has been under investigation for several past alleged charges of abuse and the mass defection of players from the school.  We don’t have the complete picture as this is written, this we do know the fact Marshall is a winner.  Marshall’s been head coach at the school since 2007, he’s compiled a 331-121 record (.732) over time.  His 2013-14 team finished the season with a 35-1 record after finishing the conference with an 18-0 record. 

The single loss that season occurred in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32.  Wichita State has experienced nothing but winning basketball during his tenure, there is more to coaching in this age than simply winning.  The “Bobby Knight” mentality is no longer permitted and even Knight was eventually fired after numerous confrontations with game officials and the administration.  Who takes over with the college basketball season a little over a month away?  It’s likely an assistant will be announced as interim coach and a permanent replacement will likely be made in late spring or the summer of 2021.  

“Houston, we’ve had a problem” --- Those are the words uttered by astronaut Jack Swigert as Apollo 13 was headed to the moon, this time the Houston problem is a little closer to terra firma.  In fact, this difficulty is located at 1510 Polk Street Houston, that is the address of the Toyota Center.  The Rockets have a brand-new coach Stephen Silas and players James Harden, and Russell Westbrook are complaining already.  The complaint by both is not about the coach but their belief the window for winning an NBA Championship is rapidly closing. 

Therefore, I’m confused (and are most Rocket fans), Daryl Morey along with Mike D’Antoni were the architects behind the move acquiring Westbrook.  Early James Harden pronounced the deal no problem because the two had known one another since their high school days.  Well needless to say the paring didn’t exactly work out as hoped because management decided to blow up the team by going to a “small ball” lineup.  New Coach Stephen Silas has his hands full trying to figure out what to do with this inherited problem.  As this was being completed, we read Westbrook wants the Knicks or other teams over the Rockets, Houston, we really have a problem! 

Now I’m not so sure---The 2020 draft has completely messed with my head.  You might remember I gave 1001 reasons (not really) why I believed the Warriors would draft Memphis Big Man James Wiseman.  A week or so from the draft I’m not sure, see a new player has emerged whom they might consider, the athlete is Deni Avdija 6-foot 8 small forward from Israel.  The Warriors brought him into the city and were thrilled with his workout, is he the pick?  He could be however so could Wiseman or Anthony Edwards.  Rest assured the Warriors are not going to draft LaMelo Ball and it has little to do with the belief or feelings of one LaVar Ball. 

Bits n Pieces---This is a first for Gonzaga basketball, the Associated Press in its pre-season poll announced the number one college basketball team in the nation is the Gonzaga Bulldogs.  The Spokane Washington school has played competitive basketball for several years under Coach Mark Few.  The ultimate number one of course occurs in early April when the NCAA Tournament champion is crowned.  This is the first time Gonzaga has earned the top spot at the beginning of the season.    

An announcement came late Monday afternoon, Michigan State basketball Coach Tom Izzo tested positive for coronavirus.  The coach claims he has minor symptoms and is unsure where he might have contracted the virus.  Izzo indicated he’s been wearing a mask, maintaining social distance has been common practice for him, get well coach. 

Is it television or real life, Ball in the Family television series dad LaVar Ball exploded in a recent episode when a decision was announced?  We’d mentioned earlier youngest son LaMelo about to be drafted into the NBA decided to sign with Puma leaving the Big Baller Brand.  LaVar uttered a profanity on hearing the news, whether it was aimed at the son is unclear.  The point is the response by many reading the news account, they questioned the decision by family members Lonzo to possibly sign with the Jordan brand and LaMelo with Puma.   

I just read one of the funniest lines yet involving the Raptors.  We know the issue with the Canadian border closed due to COVID-19 and the need for an American home.  We’ve mentioned the cities vying to serve as temporary home for the Raptors.  A fan wrote, “They (Raptors) could play in Madison Square Garden, there’s no basketball being played there.”