Basketball from a fan perspective

The offenders have escaped

Sunday the Rockets find themselves losers of 20 games in a row the worst in the NBA, they are not a good team but part of it is not their fault.  It’s my belief this team is suffering a lingering hangover from the effects of Morey/D’Antoni.  This “play” was orchestrated by Daryl Morey and directed by Mike D’Antoni and the offenders have escaped.  Remember back to last season when these two decided to play small ball, they concluded a 6-foot 5-inch center could win in the NBA. 

After the team was playoff eliminated in September 2020 D’Antoni decided he didn’t want to coach the Rockets any longer, he resigned.  A month later Morey announced he was stepping down as general manager and followed D'Antoni out of the building.  Morey is the analytics guy who favors 3-point shooting over mid-range jumpers according to one source.  James Hardin could see the handwriting on the wall it’s likely that was the basis for him forcing a trade.  The architects of the Rockets have left the building and Houston for greener pastures, Morey with the Sixers president of basketball operations and D’Antoni a Nets assistant. 

March victory story

There are far too many stories to do justice for every school during this time.  This one stood out for a variety of reasons; it is unlikely we ever hear Jason Preston’s name in the NBA draft.   The 6-4 guard was a contributing factor in Ohio’s 62-58 upset win over Virginia with his 11 points 13 rebounds and 8 assists.  Back in high school few would have believed he’d even be in college on a scholarship, Preston averaged 2 points a game in high school, yes that figure is correct. 

His freshman year at Ohio it was 6 points a game as he played reserve minutes.  The 2019-20 season as a starter would be his breakout year, he raised that average to 16.8 points a game, his junior year it was 16.3.  How did he arrive at this point…thanks in part to social media?  He posted his highlights on Twitter and received offers from Ohio and Longwood University.  Preston is identified on at least one mock draft site; we have no idea if he is a surprise draft pick becomes a free-agent pickup or Europe.  Whatever occurs in the future we should not be surprised how it unfolds for Preston.     

Mizzou disappointment 

Am I disappointed…of course I am, several “fans” believe the loss to Oklahoma is pointed directly at coach Cuonzo Martin, some even voiced their belief the coach should be fired?  Firing Martin is not an answer, the coach wasn’t on the floor taking sometimes questionable shots, he didn’t turn the ball over either.  I try to refrain from criticizing coaching strategy and for good reason, this is far different from the 5th and 6th grade teams I once coached.   

I laugh out loud reading the comments of several of these “couch” coaches.  They would lead you to believe they know all there is to know about coaching basketball especially at the collegiate level.  I read far too many letters saying fire Cuonzo.  Who replaces him, another coach fired someplace else?  Unless a quality assistant from SOMEWHERE is hired leave Cuonzo in place at least through next season.  These critics tend to forget Mizzou began the season as a question mark by the so-called experts.  They exceeded expectations; Mizzou was expected to finish in the bottom half of the SEC.  This view doesn’t lessen the pain of losing, it becomes for the coach, what have you done for me lately?  How about earning an NCAA appearance after missing last season although brief? 

Mizzou will lose Dru Smith, Jeremiah Tilmon and others who made contributions to a winning season now.  Mizzou has a Top 40 recruiting class according to ESPN.com and several other .com sites arriving in August.  I will attempt to refrain myself from becoming too excited, freshmen sometimes play like freshmen so my expectations will be subdued until there is a determination they can play at this level.