Words eye view

Basketball from a fan perspective

“It wasn’t Me”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2wPCYPRdt8

The late Chuck Berry recorded this prior to Shaggy; the theme of both songs is the same, it was someone else.  That also applies to yours truly, “It wasn’t Me” with comments you might have perceived as negative toward Mizzou’s Cuonzo Martin.  Yes, I have been disappointed over the last few weeks with several of the losses, at least three I believe shouldn’t have occurred but I’m just a fan.  Was it the coaches’ fault, ultimately the responsibility falls on him but consider what transpired?    

Cuonzo took not one shot; he never turned the ball over nor failed to rebound the basketball.  He did not a bit of those because he wasn’t on the floor as a player.  The team he sent out was to implement the game plan, his responsibility ends with game preparation and the ability to implement changes during the match.  One of the challenges in the past (my opinion) with Mizzou’s athletic administration is hiring the right person.  Despite what might appear to be complaints on my part regarding Cuonzo Martin I believe he is that correct hire until he proves he cannot be the man.

Who are those guys?

There are some guys with jerseys that read Knicks, they must be imposters because the Knicks don’t play .500 ball.  As this is written they have A 10-point lead over the Pistons with about 5 minutes remaining.  And get this if the season ended Thursday night the Knicks would earn a playoff berth.  This would be the Knicks first playoff appearance since the 2012-2013 season. 

He doesn’t play a minute however coach Tom Thibodeau has got to be one of the keys to this resurgence of the Knicks.  Knick fans have got to be among the best in the nation for putting up with inept play for countless years.  We are unsure if it’s competition from the Nets or just a new attitude, but these appear to be the new and improve Knicks.  It should be noted the Knicks did indeed win the game.   

It makes sense

In a pandemic age there should always be a backup plan, that is the case with the NCAA tournament.  Based on the college season games have been postponed or cancelled, what occurs with the NCAA tournament?  During the collegiate season we witnessed several games rescheduled while others are just listed as postponed.  The tournament is a whole different animal, what occurs.  The NCAA’s decided should a team test positive prior to a game it goes into the books as a forfeit. 

The proposal certainly is not comforting for the healthy team but is the only outcome possible.  This will not be an NBA Bubble; these are 18–23-year-olds for the most part.  Although all participants will be in Indianapolis social distancing and other parameters, we live with in this pandemic age must continue to be implemented.  No intention to be the voice of doom and gloom but it could occur.  A team could "lose" a game without setting foot on the basketball court.   

All Star pause

I’m unsure if the 2021 version of Blake Griffin has any gas in the tank, after all the Pistons released him.  This is just being real; the Pistons certainly are not among the NBA elite which becomes an interesting story.  If Griffin can’t play in Detroit can he really help any playoff contender?  

I’d forgotten seniors could return to school and they would not be counted against a team’s current roster.  Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin indicates he’s not going ask any one of the four seniors on the roster to return.  He can’t however I can, I’d love if center Jeremiah Tilmon and guard Dru Smith returns.  I seriously doubt any of the four return.