Basketball from a fan perspective

The game from a fan’s perspective

Fan

Have you heard the term fan is derive from “fanatic”?  The definition says; “A person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular person or thing.”  That explanation is a little soft for me because I believe it doesn’t give us the true story of a fan who is a fanatic.  A fan cries, complains, utters profanities, and sometimes become depressed when our favorite team loses.  Of course, we are overjoyed when our preferred team wins a game or series. 

Anytime the Chiefs, Lakers and Mizzou don’t play particularly well, I have no problem declaring that fact.  In Wednesday’s Words eye view you will read an insightful description of the Mizzou-Auburn game, I attempted to call it as I saw it.  Most often I try and refrain from making excuses for losses or poor play.  We could dissect a game and come up with all kinds of reasons why our team lost, I prefer to accept the outcome and move on.  What's your call on this subject?   

Bits n Pieces

The Nets were so desperate to win a championship they might have mortgage a portion of their future.  Acquiring James Harden will provide them three superstar talented players.  Will it guarantee success on the basketball court based on the players surrendered to acquire Harden?  That will be answered in June or whenever the NBA playoffs begin, let’s look at a little history.  The most recent paring of three might be LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, they won championships but not every season they were teammates.  In an earlier period, the Lakers had Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West, yet they came up short.  Where is it written you must have three super talents to win an NBA Championship, just wondering? 

We are reading in multiple publications the Pelicans are attempting to trade Lonzo Ball.  Statistically this might be Ball’s best year despite the fact he’s shooting 39% from the floor.  Up till the present the franchise has been spared the wrath of LaVar, he was okay with Alvin Gentry and to date we find nothing negative regarding Stan Van Gundy.  What do you suppose LaVar will do if they trade his oldest son?  He could place a hex on the Pelicans like the one he placed on the Lakers.  You remember it don’t you, he said the franchise would never win a championship after “trading my son.”

I love me some Steph Curry and the Splash Brothers, at the same time I hate what they have done to the NBA.  “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” we hear, win championships and I will copy from the blueprint you provided.  That certainly has been the case as I yearn for the pitch battles between Kareem and Moses in the paint.  The 6-foot 9 Willis Reed giving away height and weight to Wilt yet often battling him to a standstill.  The game is ever evolving so it shouldn’t surprise if the traditional back to the basket Big Man game will return one day.  The answer is simple high schools and colleges are continuing to turn out 7-foot prospects, the question is developing the talent.   

Decisions, decisions

Mizzou made an offer to a couple of prospects which prompts the question…how much is too much?  We certainly don’t have the ability to peer into the future but consider this fact.  Both positions (power forward & center) are good for the immediate time being.  If these two Class of 2022 prospects cast their fate with Mizzou, they will likely occupy a seat next to one of the coaches.  Should one or both choose Mizzou what goes into their decision?  This prospect(s) should he chose Mizzou will discover several players on the roster in front of him. 

In the decision stage does he check the roster and decide in advance “I’m better than ______, I should be able to beat him out.”  On the other hand, with no commitment but an offer he could look at Mizzou (or any other school) and decide there are too many bodies in front of me.  There is another factor, he’s wanted to attend Mizzou since he first picked up a basketball, that decision becomes easy even though it might not be a good fit.  We could look at Kansas, they recruited a Wichita prospect who was enamored with Kansas basketball.  He received little playing time transferred to Wichita State where he blossomed.  Wanting to play for Bill Self might have been the hope but it didn’t work out.  There is no one answer there might be 5 or 6 deciders in who goes where.