Basketball from a fan’s perspective

I’m comfortable now

We’ve been reading for the past week or so Andre Drummond was leaning toward signing with the Lakers.  Two years ago, most in Laker Nation believed Kawhi Leonard would sign with the team and you see how that turned out.  You might understand my hesitancy believing Drummond was a deal until it is done.  It’s not official as this is written although I believe it will occur, his agent claims Drummond will sign with the Lakers as soon as he clears waivers.  That should occur at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday. Could a team cause this process to go south, anything is possible until Drummond signs on the dotted line. 

As for the future with Drummond in the lineup the fully healed Lakers must do those things required, sink baskets, play tough defense and all those things that contribute to winning basketball.  The move is a good one on several levels for the Lakers.  The positives, there will be no requirement for Drummond to score but on arrival he is a greater offensive threat than Gasol.  He is also superior at rebounding the basketball, he’s not a great rim protector but an upgrade.  The only areas it is believed Gasol has an advantage is passing and free throw shooting.  As for the post-season Frank Vogel indicates Anthony Davis will play sometimes at the 5 once the Lakers reach the playoffs.  All in all, this is a good day for the Lakers after failing to pick up a player before the trading deadline expired.  NOTE:  Drummond cleared waivers and has signed with the Lakers.  

What do you think?

I heard a comment regarding Shaka Smart and his move to Marquette, what are your thoughts.  The statement “He (Smart) moves from a football school to a basketball school.”  We realize football underwrites the bill for most athletic departments but was that the basis for Smart to not succeed at the level we thought?  I remember as if it was yesterday, I said it, “Recruiting will be great for him in Texas, he can recruit successfully without ever leaving the State of Texas.” 

That statement by yours truly was somewhat correct, Smart was able to recruit successfully however did he suffer the effects of Texas playing in the wrong conference.  Kansas along with other members make the Big 12 conference the best (in my view) in the nation.  On the other end as much as Kansas desires to compete successfully in football they continue to lag in that area.  Several conferences don't even field football team or if they do it is at Division I-AA or even lower.   

Gonzaga reloads 

Several reading this might not be familiar with his name, it’s Hunter Sallis.  Sallis is a 6-foot 5-inch point guard from Omaha Nebraska.  Rivals.com rates him the number 7 prospect in the Class of 2021.  This 5-star prospect verbally committed this past Friday, he’s headed for Spokane Washington and Gonzaga.  Most interesting Gonzaga now competes with the big boy programs across the nation.  Sallis had 31 offers from several schools including Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisville, Marquette and Kansas.   

Division II basketball

Unless you live near a school, we often don’t have an opportunity to witness Division II basketball play.  The shadow of Division I basketball is so huge it overshadows Division II and NAIA basketball.  Despite this fact that fails to take into consideration incredibly good basketball is played and that was the case on Saturday.  Number 1 West Texas State A&M faced Northwest Missouri State seeded 2 for the Division II Championship.  If you are a basketball historian, you might be aware former Sixer player and coach Maurice Cheeks played at West Texas. 

Interesting that West Texas started the game with 5 guards which might have proven to be their downfall.  Northwest Missouri State won the championship 80-54 their 3^rd in the last 5 years.  Head coach Ben McCollum has quite an outstanding record (300-78 .794) in 12 years running the program.  His first two seasons his teams finished below .500, since then it’s been all uphill and success.  We question not if but when a Division I program will reach out to McCollum and offer him the head coaching job.