Basketball from a fan perspective

It was a historic evening

Wednesday evening the NBA and Becky Hammon made history again, the former WNBA star became a head coach.  Well, she’s not exactly the head coach, see Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich had been ejected in the first half of the Spurs-Lakers game for protesting an official’s call.  Hammon the associate head coach would take over as Popovich headed to the locker room to watch the game on television. 

Despite her first opportunity to lead the team in a game the Lakers were able to win 121-107.  Hammon has shattered the glass ceiling twice, in 2014 she made history becoming the first female hired as an assistant coach in the NBA.  A year later Hammon did it again, she became head coach of the Spurs Summer League team.  One day in the not-too-distant future a woman will be hired as a head coach in the NBA.  Will that first hire be Hammon, we can only guess at this point? 

Tick, tick, tick 

That is the clock ticking on a penalty judgement regarding Kansas basketball.  I’ve had issues in the past with the NCAA regarding policies plus how and when they are implemented.  Despite this view on my part, I heard the word “crooked” used in a description of the governing body for college athletics.  The description is one I refuse to use, there are other adjectives which better fit the organization in my view.  The first word is archaic, it generally refers to an ancient age and that description certainly applies to many of the decisions of the NCAA. 

We could say unequal justice as the next description, keep in mind the public is often unaware of all the information regarding how the decision is reached.  Here’s an example, Podunk University self-reports and the NCAA places them on a 3-year probation while Big Time University is determined to be guilty of the same subject.  Big Time U. loses two scholarships but is eligible to participate in the NCAA Tournament in spite of their guilt.  Despite referring to the NCAA as crooked what about Kansas basketball, it’s been a little over two years since the organization leveled charges at the school.  More than likely an individual charged with a crime might have received judgement of some source by now, this is written January 1, 2020. 

Another Aristotle maybe

No, this is not a second coming of the Greek philosopher, it’s a reference to Shaquille O’Neal. The Aristotle tag is a nickname Shaq hung on himself.  At LSU he formed a twin tower combo with Stanley Roberts who stood 7 feet and 285 pounds.  Shaquille O’ Neal was 7 foot 1 and 325 pounds, the two of them formed quite an imposing force around the basket.  As for O’Neal, Chris Jackson (Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf) a teammate claims Roberts was the better athlete.  In the NBA that all changed, Roberts never established himself in the NBA and Shaq would become dominate. 

Young Shaq at the Magic and early in his career with the Lakers was a force throughout the NBA.  Most believe his game was mostly slams and to a degree it was, Shaq had a bank shot he managed to shoot successfully during his career.  Despite the statement “I make em when they count” referring to free-throw shooting was not quite correct.  Free throw accuracy was his Achilles Heel, ever heard of Hack a Shaq?  The question would another giant like Shaq ever appear in the game again?  Probably not however the game has changed so much who really knows. 

Rim protection

The Lakers are still adjusting to new teammates as this is written.  Dennis Schroeder has moved into the starting lineup, whether he remains is a question.  Montrezl Harrell has arrived and done his usual thing off the bench and Wesley Matthews came alive recently in a game versus the Spurs.  That leaves one newcomer added, Marc Gasol.  Many in Laker Nation are beginning to complain about lack of rim protection, they mention JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard how they effectively clogged the middle.  Gasol all 6 foot 11 inches and 255 pounds probably has a 3-inch vertical but it’s the other things he effectively brings to the game. 

Gasol is a superior passer to both McGee and Howard, he makes up for his lack of verticality with his skill at passing the basketball.  Although there is no requirement for him to score, he possesses a reliable 3-point shot something neither of his predecessors had in their arsenal.  Perhaps the problem if there is one is minimal, allow a further explanation.  As this is written the Lakers game closing lineup might contain Anthony Davis at the center position.  Then again, there is always the possibility of picking up a Dewayne Dedmon to back up Gasol.  On the other hand Gasol needs to shoot more, his offense is not required but it makes him a threat.  I don’t see Gasol a serious problem as some in Laker Nation might believe.