Words eye view

Basketball from a fan perspective

Harvey Pollack

I realize after reading yesterday’s lead story you are asking the question; did he error in some manner?  The “he” refers to Harvey Pollack longtime Philadelphia record keeper.  Yesterday we profiled a Wilt Chamberlain game in which the box score totals are questionable.  You are asking did Pollack give Chamberlain credit for a block shot registered by Chet Walker or Luke Jackson? 

Was either Walker or Jackson given recognition for one or two blocks that belonged to Chamberlain?  Did guard Hal Greer or another have a steal that should have been credited to Chamberlain?  No argument on my part it is entirely possible Pollack missed a block or steal that should have been credited to another.  It’s also conceivable the opposite could have occurred; Chamberlain’s numbers might be larger than we realize.  This is all conjecture at this point, so this discussion remains in the realm of we don’t really know. 

The promise…remains unfulfilled

Last July the college basketball world received a seismic shock. Makur Maker 5-star prospect and Rivals.com number 19 in the Class of 2020 chose to attend Howard University in Washington D.C.  He would become the highest ranked player to attend an HBCU school in several decades.  It was believed other talented athletes might follow the same path as the 6-foot 11 235-pound Maker. 

Dreams sometimes fail to match reality and that’s what occurred with Howard basketball and Maker.  Maker played two games for Howard and then was sidelined with a groin injury on November 28, the world crashed in on the Bison team as COVID-19 health issues forced the Bison to cease play.  They have not played since December 18; on Tuesday, the school announced the remainder of the 2020-21 basketball season would be cancelled.  This likely ends Maker’s time at Howard, he was expected to be a one and done candidate.   

Is he the real deal…he just might be?

LaMelo Ball arrived in the NBA with “baggage”, if you are unfamiliar with the slang term it’s defined as issues or concerns.  That was indeed the case, as he journeyed from high school to high school go on to play briefly in Lithuania.  There were questions if he might be eligible to play in college, so he decided in favor of a pro career.  Ball ended this national and international basketball tour by winning rookie of the year in Australia, was he ready for the NBA?  Ball became the 3^rd pick in the 1^st round by the Hornets in the 2020 NBA draft, early he would display flashes of his skill but strictly in a reserve role until recently. 

The youngest of the brothers just might be the best of the 3 and his numbers provide us proof.  His shooting which has been a concern is slowly trending upward, the other concern was his defense.  Ball may never be a great defender but even in that area has shown improvement, as this is written he’s 14 points (43.3%), 6 rebounds and 6 assists per game.  Those are certainly not outstanding numbers but good enough to place Ball in first place among 2021 NBA rookies.  In the Hornets Monday evening win over the Rockets Ball scored 24 points along with 7 rebounds and 10 assists, included in the total was 7 3-point baskets.  It is still early in his NBA career however LaMelo just might be the real deal. 

COVID-19 broadcasting

Basketball television broadcast have certainly taken on a different role in this COVID era.  For the most part the NBA crews with ESPN/ABC/TNT are on site with plastic screens placed between the broadcaster and analyst.  As for some college and NBA local broadcast teams that’s a slightly different subject.  As an example, with the Thunder on the road in Staples facing the Lakers the broadcast team for the Thunder was in Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. 

There are exceptions, as an example last week during two Mizzou games we witness something out of the ordinary.  In one game the broadcaster appeared to be at home, the analyst was also at home and even mentioned it.  Then we had a game the analyst began the telecast with no play-by-play broadcaster.  Later the broadcaster “arrived” and began working and his voice sounded as if he was in a canyon with an echo sound.  He would admit he’d called in on his phone and we presume watching the game on a feed, I’m sure you have your own COVID-19 broadcast stories.