Words eye view

Basketball from a fan perspective

Politics & basketball

The world of social issues and politics has crept into the basketball world again, Valparaiso University in Indiana has decided to change its mascot and team name.  Long known as the Crusaders and with a knight in faux armor it was time to make a switch.  The school announced the mascot and logo have been copied by hate groups, as a faith-based institution, they believed this change was necessary. 

In addition, their mascot refers to a time in the middle ages when Crusaders waged war on Muslims.  On the east coast Bluefield College in Virginia had its time in the spotlight too for the national anthem.  Earlier Bluefield forfeited a game due to players kneeling, several team members claim they will now remain in the locker room.  The plan by Bluefield members is to not lose any more games due to forfeiture.  Many reading this will be upset by the action of Valparaiso administration and Bluefield athletes however these are the times we live in. 

They won anyway

For a variety of undetermined reasons, the Lakers have started slowly.  The reference is certainly not the season thus far they have 21 wins versus 6 losses as this is written.  Anthony Davis was missing in 2 of those games but that’s no excuse for the tortoise like opening act.  Was it the competition the Lakers faced they might have taken lightly? 

They were matched against the Pistons once the Thunder twice and finally the Grizzlies, all teams with records below .500.  Why am I complaining they won anyway, certainly true but consider this fact?  It took 2 OT’s to beat the Pistons and the Thunder took them to OT in each game.  The Pistons and Thunder are just as capable on a given night as the Bucks, Clippers or Celtics.  The Lakers better be prepared for what’s in store for them whomever they face. 

Analytics

I’m unsure the time or the sport we first heard the term analytics applied. Whatever the point in time we first heard or read of it applied principally now in the sports world.  This writer has lamented the lack of development of a traditional big man in the college and NBA game of today.  For the first time we can point a finger at the culprit…you guessed it correctly it’s analytics. 

This is the belief of Tyrone Ellis head coach of the G-League Stockton Kings.  Ellis shares his thoughts and beliefs with Stephen Beslic of 1-ON-1 Basketball Network.  A link to his interview is provided below for you to view.  Larry Laker certainly makes no claim on his basketball knowhow, this I do know.  Almost everything in this universe appears cyclical, what is old becomes new again. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgPDDGK-gc8

Black History Month 

A few basketball coaches have won consecutive national championships, few have won three. Throughout more than 100 years of college basketball history only three coaches have managed to accomplish this unique deed, UCLA’s John Wooden, John McClendon Tennessee State and Lucius Mitchell Kentucky State. It should be of note Tennessee State and Kentucky State are among the many HBCU schools, historically black colleges, and universities in the country.