Basketball from a fan perspective

Who is most loyal?

On Saturday Mizzou lost it's NCAA match against Oklahoma, Monday evening the Kansas Jayhawks were beaten by Southern Cal.  Beginning Sunday culminating with late Monday several letters from Mizzou fans wanted Cuonzo Martin fired.  After the blowout loss Kansas fans interviewed on one of the local stations were praising Kansas basketball and Bill Self.  Despite the loss they appeared more upbeat than Mizzou fans.  Why does this difference exist, we certainly don’t have enough time to detail all the whys and wherefores but here goes?  These two longtime rivals have played in separate conferences since 2012 when Mizzou left the Big 12 for the SEC. 

In Kansas City on the Missouri side of the border our local sports news should be divided but it’s not, it weighs heavily in favor of Kansas.  Disappointment reigns supreme in both states after the losses however Mizzou fans feel the effects worse.  A significant number of Mizzou fans appear to want the coach fired despite the fact Mizzou’s earned an NCAA invite two of the four years he’s been in place.  During this period Mizzou’s won 66 games under Martin, the prior three years they won a total of 27 games and received not one NCAA invitation.  This certainly fails to placate the masses who want Martin gone but it ain’t happening immediately. 

Coach has a Top 40 recruiting class arriving in the fall (ESPN.com) and he knows how to recruit which was lacking in the previous coach.  As for the hearts and minds this proud member of Mizzou Nation must give it to the Jayhawks.  Despite the loss and not counting the NCAA anvil hanging over the basketball program they APPEAR more loyal than Mizzou fans.  It really pains me to say that however I must speak the truth.  In closing allow me to pass on this bit of information.  A coach was hired by this university, his first three years the team won a total of 38 games and lost 47, what do you suppose the school did?  They allowed Michael William Krzyzewski better known as Coach K. to remain in place.  Don’t get it confused I’m not saying Martin is the second coming but hold on Mizzou Nation don’t be so quick to escort the coach off the premises. 

“I’m on the way!!”

The bracket busting NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend has seen several college prospects looking toward the NBA draft.  None of the players listed have declared for the draft however their names are on several mock draft lists.  Leading most lists is Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham number 1, Oregon State sent him home and toward the NBA.  Joining him Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu whose team was also eliminated over the weekend.  

Kai Jones of Texas and James Bouknight of UConn also saw their teams excluded.  Gonzaga, Baylor and USC NBA prospects are still playing as this is written, there are others with eyes on the NBA.  Their teams failed to earn a tournament berth, this includes Zaire Williams of Stanford and Josh Christopher of Arizona State.  These are but a few of the players who might plan on meeting Commissioner Silver in June and giving him a fist-pump. 

It’s the pandemic

The number of NBA players succumbing to injuries is mounting as we speak.  The Warriors expected to have Klay Thompson back but that was not to be, he will miss the season.  This list is not complete, but it provides us a list of many.  Spencer Dinwiddie of the Nets and Joel Embiid with the Sixers, the injury bug would next strike the Lakers Anthony Davis.  Markelle Fultz of the Magic and Thomas Bryant of the Wizards. 

This past weekend we saw both LeBron James and the pending Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball also suffering injuries.  Of those named Dinwiddie, Fultz, Bryant and LaMelo have been ruled out for the balance of the season.  We can only fall back on the adage, “Injuries are part of the game” and we must prepare ourselves for them.  Perhaps it just appears an extraordinary number of injuries to key players has occurred thus far this season.   

Bits n Pieces 

Cam’ Ron Fletcher left Mizzou waiting at the altar, we figured the St. Louis youngster from Vashon High School might possibly head for Mizzou.  That would not occur as Coach Cal and his Kentucky Wildcats prevailed.  As you are aware things didn’t work in the manner the coach wanted or the player.  Fletcher saw little time on the court, suspended then re-instated he’s now entered the transfer pool.  Mizzou would appear out of the running again for the 6-foot 6-inch 215-pound small forward.  My sources inform me Fletcher returns home and enrolls at St. Louis University.  If it should come about it certainly makes sense on his part. 

Other rumors indicate the Clippers are reported to be after Lonzo Ball, this shouldn’t be surprising news.  The need for a point guard has existed since they traded Chris Paul to the Rockets in 2017, they want someone desperately to assume the role and Patrick Beverly ain’t the one.  The Clippers chief problem they have no worthy assets to make a trade worthwhile, they are not giving up Kawhi or Paul George.  If the Pelicans took Beverly that would be a backward step, he’s 32 years old, Lonzo’s 23…good luck with this one.