Basketball from a fan perspective

The game from a fan’s perspective

Dogs at work

Man’s best friend has been utilized in a variety of roles throughout the centuries.  Probably we saw them utilized as guard dog early in their use.  Most recently we read of dogs trained to detect cancer and other medical anomalies in humans.  Now they will used in a role most of us were unfamiliar, the Heat announced dogs will be utilized to detect COVID-19 in those entering American Airlines Arena.  Up till now the Heat have allowed a limited number of family members and friends of family to attend games at the arena.  The Heat now intend to increase attendance utilizing COVID-19 trained dogs.  We suppose these canines will operate in much the same manner as drug or bomb detecting dogs might conduct themselves.  The Heat further indicate for now there will be maximum of 2,000 fans allowed in the building. 

A return to the past

The past several years have been unkind to Mizzou basketball and members of Mizzou Nation, the sudden departure of Frank Haith and the swift hiring of Kim Anderson.  Basketball during the years 2013-2017 was unbearable to watch at times before Cuonzo Martin was hired.  With a bit of luck respectability would arrive with Cuonzo and it did briefly.  In his third year a rash of injuries impacted the Mizzou basketball program significantly, this season has been quite different. 

In the week 10 season poll we find Mizzou ranked 12 in the nation while the Kansas Jayhawks are 15, has this ever occurred in the past?  Well yes it has, the most recent period was the 2011-12 season prior to Mizzou’s move to the SEC.  A February 4, 2012 meeting between Kansas and Mizzou would find the Tigers ranked 4 and the Jayhawks 8.  The final poll prior to the NCAA Tournament that season listed Mizzou 3 and Kansas 6.  It’s not occurred often but Mizzou basketball ranked above Kansas has indeed transpired in the recent past.   

Best method for dealing with a bully

“If you turning the ball over five times in 16 minutes, that ain’t gonna cut it for me.  If you doing that on the offensive end, you better be bringing something defensively…He (LaMelo Ball) had a stretch where he played extremely well.  We need to find that again.  He’s got to get better, bottom line.  He’s engaged; he wants to get better.  He’s capable of handling it.”   

James Borrego (Hornets coach), Charlotte Observer

The art of the flop 

It doesn’t matter if it’s college, the NBA, G-League or Euro basketball.  Flopping has become an art form; you know it well.  The 175-pound guard runs into a 230 pound forward and sends him crashing to the floor.  The game official whistles the player for an offensive foul and it goes on and on.   College is different however the NBA has instituted a “No-Flop” rule however we are unsure if it’s managed to curtail the habit of some.  

The block-charge foul might be one of the most difficult to officiate, was the player stationary or did he slide slightly?  The debate rages on and on sparked by the players and fans.  An early architect of the flop was Vlade Divac whose long sense retired, as for the NBA and its anti-flop policy the Piston Blake Griffin then with the Clippers said this, “It’s a cash grab by the NBA.”  Two players no longer playing Reggie Evans and Gerald Wallace were the first to be fined by the NBA for flopping.  More recently we are unaware of others and perhaps the NBA has relaxed its policy.