Words eye view

Basketball from a fan perspective

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Thanks to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch we can offer proof why Mizzou basketball is so confusing to Mizzou Nation or anyone that follows the basketball program in recent weeks.  The win on Wednesday night against Florida provided another Quad 1 win for Mizzou, they now have a 7-4 Quad 1 record.  Only Illinois and Oklahoma State have more Quad 1 wins than Mizzou as this is written.  Also tied with Mizzou and it's 7 wins are Gonzaga, Michigan, Alabama, Ohio State and Kansas.  This places Mizzou in some exclusive basketball company.  

The bait

The headline read: “Did the Laker loss to the Suns show any weakness?”  The Suns beat the Lakers rather convincingly.  Well let’s check what occurred, Anthony Davis didn’t play he’s been out of action for about 2 weeks.  Marc Gasol was health and safety protocol absent, although certainly not the player he once was he still brings a veteran presence to the starting lineup.  In addition to the two starters, top reserve Kyle Kuzma was injured and sat out the game.  The writer of the Bleacher Report story should return to this subject once all parties are healed and available to play.  If the Suns beat the Lakers, then in unison we'll know if there is a true weakness.   

Is it possible?

The Naismith Prep Player of the Year will be announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club soon.  The award begun in 1987 honors the top high school basketball player in the nation, the list of past winners reads like who’s who of basketball.  Several of the high school winners went on to outstanding NBA careers.  The late Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Kevin Love and Ben Simmons are just a few of those names. 

The Tipoff Club will decide which of the five players are worthy of the award, it should be noted one of the five is Emoni Bates.  Will Bates a junior all everything prospect be awarded the honor of prep player of the year over four seniors?  It certainly is possible it wouldn’t be the first time he beat out upperclassmen for honors.  As an example, Bates was named Gatorade National Player of the Year as a sophomore, in addition he's got two Michigan Gatorade POY, two AP Michigan POY and two Ann Arbor POY awards.   

It’s all Steph’s fault   

Steph Curry is a remarkable talent and prolific shooter, in addition he is an adept point guard.  His shooting along with the success of the Warriors (until team injuries occurred) were visible and to be emulated by those desiring success on the basketball court.  That’s the difficulty, you know the old saying “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” 

You draw inspiration from those appearing successful i.e., championship Warriors and the Splash Brothers.  Everyone wants to be Steph, streak down the court and jack up shots however that’s the issue, they are not the smooth shooting diminutive guard.  Most don’t have close to his shooting ability and that’s why it’s all Steph’s fault.  Steven or Stephen (CarMax commercial) has set the standard few can reach no matter; they are going to continue stacking brick on top of brick in other words missing shots.