Basketball from a fan perspective

The game from a fan’s perspective

I have been known

To yell and scream at the television, correction more like the players on the court or field.  This unique thing doesn’t seem to occur with baseball and there might be a reason.  Baseball for the most part is a slower sport over football and basketball.  The yelling and screaming doesn’t occur with all football and basketball games just those I have a vested interest.  Example, if I’m watching a North Carolina-Duke game I am a casual observer. 

If the game features Mizzou I’m yelling and screaming at the players and sometimes the coach, the same goes for the Lakers and Chiefs football.  With Royals baseball I’m very relaxed although I certainly plead guilty to being upset with poor execution.  The ranting and raving fails to approach that of Mizzou, Lakers, and Chiefs.  Are you guilty too, are you able to remain calm while your favorite team is playing, I know I’m not? 

What he said

Did you hear or read the comment by former NBA player Matt Barnes?  Barnes said something like, “I’m trading Kyrie for depth”.   He claims, “Irving does more harm than good for Kevin Durant, James Hardin and the Nets”.  So, you might have been led to believe I was the only one with an Irving problem.  I’m unsure of Barnes issues with Irving, mine have nothing to do with talent, it’s the head issue. 

Back with vengeance

Vengeance, that’s the word we hear from the Clippers Paul George, the testimonial was made based on last season’s playoff woes.  To be fair George had returned in 2019-20 from off season surgery.  His performance in the playoffs was not good, early in the 2020-21 season his opponents are reported to remind him of it on the court.  Trash talking is as old as time, players have always attempted several methods to get under one’s skin.  Back in the day when the NBA was more physical Bill Laimbeer and Dennis Rodman were experts in antagonizing the opposition. 

It’s been stated going back to his days with the Pacers in the playoffs George’s numbers have been unsteady.  The key is for the mind of George to not focus on the sidebar but rather the prize in front of him.  If he does that, he should be okay regardless of the Clippers, after all basketball remains a team game.  One player cannot lose a playoff series, the same could be said for last season.  There were plenty of other Clippers to point out with less than adequate performances.  This fact, George and Kawhi Leonard are the highest paid Clippers this fact makes both large targets for the media, fans, and the opposition.   

How good?

Jeremy Woo SI.com writer places Mizzou in his Tier 8 along with 12 other teams.  The view by this writer, all could compete for an NCAA Championship but it’s unlikely they win it all.   After the victory on Saturday over Texas A&M the Tigers now have 8 wins and 2 losses.  In the SEC they are 2-2 in 8^th place in the 14-team conference.  The Tigers can point to several positives, the chief is their defensive prowess.  Mizzou plays tough belly button to belly button defense a Cuonzo Martin trait. 

Rebounding the basketball is a concern Mizzou has been outrebounded even in winning some games.  As for the roster we can point toward point guard Xavier Pinson, the junior guard has come on strong this season.  The downside, X plays out of control at times, over penetrates, and sometimes takes too many difficult shots.  Jeremiah Tilmon the 6-foot-10 260-pound center has made his senior year much improved over his freshman and junior years.  Those years witnessed him stuck on the bench in foul trouble, he appears to have solved that issue. 

His time on the court has proven productive for Mizzou and Tilmon.  The backcourt of Smith and Smith has been steady, Dru’s overall game has been loftier compared to Mark.  The key for many of us it appears this team gets along well; they root for one another even those glued to the bench.  Whenever a Mizzou player makes a mistake that player is not greeted by intense glares or yelling by a teammate. Mizzou will advance as far as they believe they are able in the SEC and NCAA Tournament.