Basketball from a fan perspective

The game from a fan’s perspective

This certainly is a far different age 

Duke basketball is 5 up and 2 down hardly the play we have seen in the recent past.  There was time, imagine this a team finishes 11-17 during the season.  Should we suppose that coach might be in danger of losing his job?  In this social media age we desire, no we demand instant results or answers.  Depending on the state of a basketball program a coach must be allowed adequate time to recruit “his type” of players and implement his coaching philosophy. 

It’s possible that coach might lose players recruited by his predecessor.  By the way, the 38-47 record was registered by Coach Krzyzewski of Duke.  Coming into the 2020-21 season Coach K’s won-loss record stands at 1,157-350 and 1,084-291 during his 40 years at Duke.  Wonder might have occurred to a Coach K. in the volatile world of college basketball today.  The word of the day might be patience, patience, and more patience. 

Stephen A. Smith is correct…but!

As this is written the Nets Kyrie Irving remains M.I.A., he’s not injured or anything that serious he’s just not playing.  Irving’s missed 5 games and based on this fact that is the basis for Smith to impart his wisdom on his television audience.  On ESPN First Take Smith made the assertion “Kyrie Irving should retire” and provides his reasoning behind the bold statement.  Irving’s had a history of injury in his NBA past so that’s not a new issue.  Although Irving missed the 2019-20 season there was no indication his career was in jeopardy.  One other consideration, Irving is 28-years old so he’s not exactly over the hill. 

Smith is correct in a sense, any guy earning more than $30 million a year should decide where his priorities are placed.  Irving owes Nets management plus their fans a reasonable explanation for his absence, retirement voiced by Smith is not the solution.  This certainly is not an effective method to resolve the matter, as usual the television host is over the top with his Showbiz approach to an issue.  As this report was completed came word Irving would be eligible to play on Saturday minus $50,000.  The dollar figure is the amount he was fined by the NBA for breaking the leagues COVID-19 policy, in addition according to ESPN Irving lost another $800,000 in salary due to violation of the NBA policy violation he will be in quarantine for a period.

His thought versus mine 

If we check the numbers of Dennis Schroeder, they are adequate, that might not sound like a ringing endorsement but allow a further explanation.  A fan critiqued an article regarding Schroeder to provide us his observation.  He was not critical of Schroeder but claimed “I’ve not seen anything spectacular he (Schroeder) would be better coming off the bench.”  Well, that statement doesn’t quite fit with the play what we’ve witnessed to date.  I haven’t seen every Laker game however it appears Schroeder has meshed smoothly with the other starters. 

This is the key for me, last season offensive production dropped anytime LeBron went to the bench. This dip occurred despite Rajon Rondo on the floor to run the team’s offense.  I believe this person might have confused “Playoff” Rondo with regular season Rondo.  This member of Laker Nation can state for now offensive production at the time LeBron sits was at nearly the same level during the regular season.  I certainly wanted Rondo to remain with the Lakers, but it was his decision to move on plus two key factors.  He’s been injury prone plus Rondo is approaching 35-years of age.  Allow me to respond to your comment ahead of time, 35-year-old LeBron James is not the same player as 35-year-old Rajon Rondo. 

Have you ever wondered?   

It doesn’t matter where you play the game, it could be in Denver or Dubai, Venice Italy or Venice California, Paris France, or Paris Texas.  The regulation height for a basketball goal is 10 feet (304.8 cm) from the floor.  Have you ever been curious enough to discover how Dr. James Naismith decided on that height in his original 13 Rules of Basketball?  Perhaps I’m providing information you were already aware of. 

For those who don’t know I’m happy you asked the question, in 1891 the peach basket Dr. Naismith attached to the railing on the running track of the YMCA was exactly 10 feet above the floor.  The 7-foot giants of today can score rather easily with dunks and other assorted shots.  In 1891 the average male stood 5 foot 6 inches (170 cm) in height so a basket 10 feet in the air is far more difficult for a player back then versus today’s typical player.