Basketball from a fan perspective

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Harbinger of Doom

Russell Westbrook left the Rockets for the Wizards in a trade for John Wall last week, this trade will be explored from the Wizards point.  Westbrook made it known immediately after the season he wanted a trade; he preferred the Knicks however that didn’t work out.  Now the question becomes will the Wizards receive the Russell Westbrook witnessed in his lone Rockets season or the 2016-17 winner of the NBA’s MVP Award.  Many athletes are stubborn, they believe they have all the answers and become set in their approach to the game. 

No athlete fits that statement more than Westbrook, we’ve witnessed his game change and not for the better, teams began to adjust defending him.  They turned the hard driving Westbrook into a jump shooter and that became the problem.  We saw evidence of this in the Rockets playoff loss to the Lakers, it was brick after brick.  The problem became even worst at the 3-point and free-throw line.  Westbrook will be reunited with Scott Brooks his former coach with the Thunder, that should aid his adjustment to the Wizards.  Westbrook must blend his game with Bradley Beal and other Wizard teammates.  This story is unfinished at this point, we must wait for the season to see how this plays out. 

He may be past his prime

Prior to the Rockets hire of Stephen Silas the team was searching for a replacement of the departed Mike D’Antoni.  Among the names we heard mentioned was long-time NBA analyst and former Coach Jeff Van Gundy.  It seemed rather odd at the time since Van Gundy had once been employed by the Rockets but fired.  Different ownership in place back then, perhaps Tilman Fertitta who purchased the team in 2017 believed the hire of Van Gundy might be a good choice. 

We have no way to document this statement however it certainly sounds viable.  Tony Kornheiser on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption made this statement on Friday while discussing the James Hardin situation.  “The owner (Tilman Fertitta) wanted Jeff Van Gundy however the players vetoed that choice.”  Van Gundy certainly knows his basketball however it’s quite possible this generation of athlete is not enamored with the prospect of playing for Van Gundy.  

Check out the mirror

Doc Rivers has never been a favorite of mine, I don’t hate him it’s just my belief he is overrated.  I’ve long believed his reputation as a coach exceeds the results on his resume.  Despite this fact he’s not to blame for every bad thing that occurs in one’s life…hear that Paul George?  For unexplained reasons as the 2020-21 NBA season is about to begin, we hear from the Clippers forward.  Without going into a great bit of detail George points a finger at Rivers for the team losing in the playoffs against the Nuggets. 

As stated earlier the coach certainly must absorb a portion of the blame for his team losing, that coach especially at the NBA level is limited by his players listening to instruction and then attempting to implement it.  The Clippers underwhelmed in the 2020 playoffs but is it all Rivers fault?  Okay George, I will go along for the ride…with 100% being the topmost figure how much responsibility of a playoff series loss rests at the foot of the coach?  At the NBA level let’s say the coach is responsible for up to 40-45%, what about the balance?  Reserve players probably another 10-15%, the balance of % represents the starters including one named Paul George.  The college game is different in the NBA it’s a player’s league, they need to check out the mirror and not justify shortcomings by pointing fingers. 

It’s easy to see why

We cannot always see the future clearly; despite this fact it is somewhat clear for a few.  There are college basketball players who despite being in their freshman year have demonstrated early their ceiling is NOT the college game.  Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Conference was placed on probation and the belief existed for an instance 5-star prospect Cade Cunningham might head elsewhere.  No, no he was in for the long haul or at least through his freshman year at OSU.  By the time you read this his numbers might have dipped slightly.  The 6-foot 8 shooting guard is scoring at 18.7 points and nearly 7 rebounds and 3 assists per game shooting 51.3% from the floor. He’s aided OSU to a solid 3-0 start to its season and is projected a lottery pick. 

In the southwest portion of the nation at Arizona State we’ve witnessed another fireball freshman.  He’s named Josh Christopher and he’s a 6-foot 5 shooting guard is scoring at nearly 19 points and close to 5 rebounds a game.  He’s shooting 60% from the floor and 80% from the 3-point line, as for his draft stock he’s projected to be a lottery pick…surprise, surprise.  Gonzaga is always a winner, this early season they are ranked number one in the nation.  One of the keys to their success is another freshman, point guard Jalen Suggs.  He is a point guard first distributing the ball at a 6.3 assist per game, his scoring 13.3 points along with nearly 5 rebounds and 57% shooting. 

Finally, we close with the name of Evan Mobley who is a Southern Cal forward.  Those profiled previously are guards Mobley is a 7-footer who checks in at a slim 215 pounds.  Despite his rather thin frame he too has begun his freshman year rather smoothly, he is scoring at 16.5 points a game along with 8.5 rebounds a game.  Mobley is shooting 61% from the floor and a whopping 40% from the 3-point line, the only downside is his work at the line, 63.6% requires improvement.  As we progress into the season there are others who will come to the forefront.  This list by no means should be considered complete, this short piece likely omits several outstanding freshmen so be on the lookout for those missing from the account.