Basketball from a fan perspective

What to expect

That is the question, Mizzou faces LSU on Saturday at home, what to expect.  We don’t know what to expect after watching the Tigers implode in the second half of the Mississippi State game.  We could point fingers at the team for their poor shot selection and the lack of effort at times on the boards.  As indicated earlier the turnover total wasn’t the cause although they certainly occurred at inappropriate times. 

I like Cuonzo Martin as a coach, but he’s got to shoulder a portion of the blame for the loss.  Despite his overall record we read he was not a good X and O coach and the game versus State might offer us proof.  Despite the win against Arkansas January 2, we’ve seen Mizzou blown out in two conference games Tennessee and Mississippi State.  That's not going to get it done in the tough SEC, Mizzou Nation must witness a complete game not one half of a game.   

Hello, my name is…

Hassan Whiteside, I play center for the Sacramento Kings although I rarely play.  Why I don’t play I’m unsure if you check my history.  I’ve led the NBA in blocked shots twice in my career and have earned a spot on the NBA All Defensive Second Team.  In 2017 I was the NBA’s leader in rebounds.  Although these accomplishments are on my resume my coach has me playing behind Richaun Holmes. 

This is no attempt to downplay the contributions of a teammate however I believe the Kings are not using my talents effectively.  My scoring has been slightly above average however my defensive efforts are known, and I have one question.  Why am I seeing little playing time, I’m only 31 years old and believe there is plenty of basketball skill remaining?  My resume indicates I can play, here’s hoping a team is willing to take a chance on me.  Thank you for taking time to read my letter.

Sincerely,

Hassan Whiteside

He said that

Nick Van Exel was the Lakers point guard when the late Kobe Bryant arrived in 1996.  Nick was a wily left-handed shooter who might have been a forerunner to the combo guards of today.  Maybe because he played in Los Angeles and won several games in the waning seconds, he was given a nickname.  Because most Laker games were played at night he became “Nick at Night” a tie in with nighttime programming on the Nickelodeon Channel.  The former Laker made this following statement about his former teammate. 

“Kobe told us, coming after the time out Del (Harris) drew up a play to give him an ISO at the top of the key.  Kobe told us I’m about to cross this fool up and dunk on him.  That was his exact words leaving the huddle.  So, our reaction’s like “This dude just said, he like…and he did it!  At 18 years old, dog!  Everyone on the roster knew who the best player was real quick.” This probably provides ammunition for those who believe Kobe Bryant was arrogant.  On the other hand, this will also allow others to realize how confident the young Kobe was of his ability to play at the NBA level. 

Euro prospect

Anytime I come across a highly touted Euro prospect his name will usually appear in this blog.  This report is on a Big Man from Germany, his name is Ariel Hukporti he stands 6-foot 11-inches and weighs 250-pounds.  Hukporti is only 18-years of age so it is possible his future path might travel in two different directions.  Hukporti places his name in the 2021 NBA Draft and begins play in the fall for one of 30 teams.  On the other hand, he could be drafted but decides in favor of remaining in Germany continuing to develop his game further.  The NBA is in his future at some point, he’s proclaimed as much on a video interview the association is his long sought-after goal. 

Politics sometimes creep in

My attempt to curtail politics in Words eye view occasionally runs into a brick wall, that is the case here.  The subject matter is the WNBA Atlanta Dream and owner Kelly Loeffler.  This businesswoman was appointed to fill a U.S. Senate seat vacancy, on Tuesday she was defeated in a runoff election.  Anyone reading this account outside this nation might be unaware Loeffler has been a lightning rod of controversy for her team. 

Much of the team have expressed an opinion she no longer own the franchise; the WNBA is not going to force her to sell the team however ownership could be in question.  It’s being reported LeBron James is interested in assembling a group to purchase the Dream.  Whether Loeffler decides to sell the team is an unknown at this point.  It’s evident a gesture of some sort is required to lower the temperature among many of the Dream players.