Basketball from a fan perspective

Truth 

“I’d take a 2-star recruit with a 5-star work ethic over a 5-star recruit with a 2-star work ethic any day.”

Coach K.

He is the One 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QoAMVzC9s

No Luka Doncic will not replace Keanu Reeves, but He is the One.  Remember awhile back we detailed the view that many believed the NBA with 74% black athletes needed a great white basketball player.  Well, it’s my belief that player is here, and his name is Luka Doncic.  The cynics attempting to point out his negatives claim “He’s not very athletic” but we might remind them neither was Larry Bird.  Bird played the game at a high level, he played with as much cerebral skill as physical, the same as Doncic.  

Don’t misread the statement, there are a significant number of black athletes whose brain power is just as great as their athletic ability. Get this, Doncic indicated his comparison to Bird is unfair, and I can agree to a point.  “You can’t compare me to Larry Bird, I have more and more games to go and a long time ahead of me.”  Luka the Don as he’s been nicknamed when he arrived in the NBA, we believed he could play the game, now in his third year even the skeptics have come around.  Doncic is not Neo, he can’t dodge bullets or fly however he’s doggone good.  He was in action once again in his third All Star Game.  Can Doncic help raise the Mavs level of play to consistent playoff level, that would be Bird-like. 

Bleacher Report

I don’t know this to be a fact

32-year-old Kim English has been named head coach for George Mason, a few of you might remember English played shooting guard for the Tigers between two coaches.  Mike Anderson recruited him then departed for the Arkansas job, Frank Haith took over and managed to persuade English to remain at Mizzou.  He had a “cup of coffee” in the NBA with the Pistons, but it was coaching where his future lay.  English would go to work as an assistant for Haith who was now at Tulsa, in 2017 he departed for an assistant position at Colorado. 

For the last two years he’s been Rick Barnes top man at Tennessee before the hire at George Mason.  Barnes indicated English was responsible for much of the recruiting at the university.  What does George Mason have to say, “Kim English is a rising star in the college basketball world,” the words of athletic director Brad Edwards at George Mason.  This must be the right move, last March English turned down the head coaching job at SE Missouri State.  Sometimes you have a good feeling, I don’t know this to be a fact, but I believe this hire of English is simply outstanding.  Outstanding for English and the university, good luck Kim English. 

He might be correct

Recently Charles Barkley made the assertion, “(James) Hardin is a better offensive player than Kobe and MJ.”  Barkley might indeed be correct but what does his statement prove?  The last time I checked there are two sides of a basketball court, when a team is on offense and defense, Hardin can’t pull a Bill Murray (Space Jam reference) you must play defense.  Questioned further Barkley claims “He’s (Hardin) a better defender now” which again may be true.  This should not be considered an indictment of James Hardin and his offensive arsenal; he is quite a load for any opposing guard to deal with.  I hope he doesn’t wind up in the same manner of the one making the statement.  Remember Barkley had dozens of NBA accolades and accomplishments but retired without a championship ring.    

What do you think?

The NBA will play a 72-game season in the 2020-2021 season.  LaMelo Ball’s played 41 games for the Hornets prior to his injury, at this point we don’t know if the injury is season ending.  A couple of websites have decided to move Wolves guard Anthony Edwards in front of Ball for Rookie of the Year due to the injury.  Here are two early considerations:

1. We don’t know if Ball is able to return before the season ends.

2. Ball’s played half of the Hornets scheduled games. 

The only recent controversy with Rookie of the Year were guys who sat out a year due to injury and then claiming the prize technically in their sophomore year.  That never bothered me, I cannot remember the player, but I seem to remember an injury during the exhibition season caused him to miss the regular season.  Just as sure as I’m sitting here typing words there will be complaints regardless of Ball or Edwards being named ROY.