Words eye view

Basketball from a fan perspective

Perhaps the most talented one

We read the comments of over-the-top LaVar Ball and then the response from Hornets coach James Borrego, they were discussing rookie point guard LaMelo Ball and his game.  Despite the verbal conflict between the father and the coach the youngest brother just might be the most talented of the trio.  He’s tall (6 foot 8) for a point guard, Ball was named Rookie of the Year in the National Basketball League in Australia.     

As a part-time starter Ball is averaging a modest 12.2 points a game along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists a game.  The subject young Ball shines is his shooting, he’s firing at a 43.1% from the floor and 30% from the 3 line.  Although the comparison to older brother Lonzo would appear at the same level LaMelo looks to eventually be the better shooter.  One additional factor to consider is defense, Lonzo is clearly the superior defender however LaMelo certainly has the potential to eclipse his brother in that area as well. 

Are the polls proof of reality 

The SEC-Big 12 Challenge would witness Kansas facing Tennessee, leading into the game Kansas was ranked number 17 in most polls while Tennessee was 18.  What should we expect from the two opponents, a close game wire to wire?  Well, that’s not exactly what occurred, with little if any fans present did home court work as an advantage for Tennessee. 

Tennessee ran around, through and over the top of Kansas on the way to a 14-point half-time lead, what to expect in the second half. Coach Self would his Kansas Jayhawks, and we’d witness a different game in the second half. That’s not quite what occurred, Tennessee continued to pound Kansas in all elements of the game.  The final score Tennessee 80, Kansas 61 which begs the question, how accurate are the polls? 

In this instance certainly not much and we can use this as an example.  Over the last 5 weeks Kansas won 2 games losing 3 yet dropped insignificant in all the polls…why?  Is it reputation that saw little change or the competition they faced?  The Big 12 is the pre-eminent conference in the nation.  it will be interesting to see how they reflect the Jayhawks this upcoming week. 

Bits n Pieces 

The other evening a player drove the lane skyward and released a finger roll toward the basket.  George Gervin was the thought, nobody could finger roll like ‘The Iceman’.   Although he spent a period with the ABA Squires it was the ABA/NBA Spurs where Gervin excelled in the game.   The lithe 6-foot 7-inch Gervin is enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame.  As for the finger roll check the link below.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daHSkhEj_Gk

You might not remember this take; it was stated we attempt to avoid politics in this publication.  There are occasions we delve into that world with this next story.  For the most part we have no idea the politics of an owner, Senator Kelly Loeffler made for an exception.  Senator Loeffler a 49% owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream had made her feelings known she opposed Black Lives Matter.  Much of the roster was opposed to her continued ownership of the Dream, after defeat in a January run-off election it appears the end is in sight.  Reports are former Senator Loeffler intends to sell her interest in the team. 

Most of us are aware Gonzaga, Baylor and Michigan are undefeated as this is written, bet you didn’t realize there are 3 other D-I schools yet to suffer a loss as the calendar turns over to February.  Who are these schools and where are they located is your question?  Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa along with Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina and finally The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.  This makes a total of 6 schools, unsure if this is any kind of record but it is interesting, especially Drake.  The Bulldogs had suffered losing seasons in 9 of the last 11.