Basketball from a fan perspective

Are there enough basketballs

In the latest move to rule the world the Nets announced LaMarcus Aldridge signed a 1-year contract with the team, he joins Blake Griffin who joined earlier in the week.  Are there going to be enough basketballs for Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, James Hardin along with a legion of Nets?  If it appears, I’m not impressed with this latest move that might indeed be the case, are these stars, former stars and reserves willing to sacrifice their game to win an NBA Championship?  We certainly cannot answer the question in late March, stay tuned for the playoffs.   

Marcus wants to know     

NOTE:  The news cycle sometimes causes stories to be published out of order.  That is the case here, the account below was written prior to Amari Davis committing to Mizzou which you read yesterday.  Parker Braun announced he was transferring so there is an additional scholarship available.  Much of the story still applies that’s why I decided to proceed with publication.   

The end of the basketball season for Mizzou is not pleasing to Marcus and others in Mizzou Nation.  He ask my take on the win total for next season which is difficult to project in late March.  Here goes, best case Mizzou wins 22 or 23 games, worst case 15-16.  We can’t do justice until the roster is complete which it is not at this point.  We know the crop of incoming freshman is rated Top 40 across the nation but have no idea who takes the Pinson scholarship or if grad transfers come on board.  We don’t know if injuries, academics or heaven help covid-19 impacts Mizzou basketball in 2021-22.  Great things are expected of Kobe Brown, the 6-foot 7 240 pound forward grew his game during his sophomore season. 

Torrence Watson played extensively his sophomore year, his junior year not so much.  Is Watson ready to blossom at shooting guard a role we believed capable his senior year?  We have 3-point specialist Parker Braun and Ed Chang; he could play a vital role as a sniper in the upcoming season.  Big Man Jordan Wilmore hardly saw the court; however, he was a freshman, is the 7-foot 3 245-pound Wilmore ready to assume the Tilmon role in the middle?  This assessment will be revised in the future as additions (or subtractions) occur.  More than likely all the seniors leave however they have an extra year of eligibility if they desire to return.  Regardless of a return by one or more seniors I expect Mizzou to be improved barring the issues mentioned. 

No movement

Most in Laker Nation are upset, they expected Rob Pelinka to pull a rabbit out of his hat.  Here’s the 4-1-1, every one of the teams making moves during the trading period is attempting one thing.  They are trying to eclipse the Lakers and replace them as NBA Champions, to be the champion you’ve got to beat the champion.  There is a belief none of these teams want to do anything that appears aiding the Lakers quest. 

Reports indicate the Lakers turned down a trade for Kyle Lowry because they refused to include Talen Horton-Tucker.  Perhaps with the injuries and upgrades by the competition that might occur although we in Laker Nation hope that is not the case.  There are two scenarios, LeBron and AD come back in time for the Lakers to make a run or this occurs.  An Andre Drummond, LaMarcus Aldridge or an unknown player signs with the Lakers.  The key of course is the return to health by the Big Two, free agents will aid but not lead the team deep into the playoffs. 

We don’t know the son, we know the father

Oklahoma and Lon Kruger lost to Gonzaga over the weekend, the following Thursday Kruger announced his intention to retire after 10 years at the helm.  The veteran coach has served as head coach at Kansas State, Florida, Illinois, Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and UNLV prior to taking the Oklahoma job.  In retirement Kruger will head to Las Vegas with two objectives in mind, the opportunity to see his grandchildren regularly and assist son Kevin in running the basketball program at UNLV.  We don’t know the son; we certainly know the father.  Good luck in your retirement Lon Kruger, you've come a long way from Silver Laker Kansas population 800 where you grew up.