Words eye view

Basketball from a fan perspective

The Schroder effect

I remember the time Dennis Schroder was drafted it was 2013; the Hawks made him the 17^th pick in the first round of the draft that year.  Although a product of Euro basketball their scouts must have seen potential talent in the rather slender point guard for him to be drafted so early.   Schroder now weighs 173 pounds; not much more than the 165 pounds listed on most mock draft sites.  His time with the Hawks is a blur to me, I only remember him after the Thunder acquired him in a trade. 

Schroder would come off the Thunder bench prepared for battle with an opposing point guard, his speed and especially his defense was a thing of beauty.  Draft sites claim Schroder has an 80-inch wingspan; I find that difficult to believe until a play I witnessed recently.  Sunday evening a Warriors guard attempted a pass beyond what we might believe is Schroder’s reach, he easily intercepted it forcing a Warriors turnover. 

Schroder arrived in Los Angeles as runner up in the Sixth Man of the Year award in the 2019-20 season, instead of reverting to his role as a reserve he indicated a desire for starter minutes.  My first thought, this is going to be a problem if he expects to play most of the time at the point.  In the Lakers 4 game losing streak it’s my belief they may have suffered more with Schroder out of the lineup than Anthony Davis.  He was out of the lineup due to the NBA's health and safety protocols in place, Schroder has been a major upgrade over Danny Green in my estimation over last season.  Hopefully, the speedy point guard can continue his play at this level. 

Behind the scenes 

The modern NBA owes much of its success to several innovative individuals since its inception.  One of the pioneers of the game was the late Harvey Pollack, he was there at the founding and continued to work in several capacities over the years. What was his forte, sportswriter, statistician, how about lover of the game of basketball especially the NBA? Pollack’s wisdom and vision provided much of what we have come to expect of the NBA.  Several weeks ago, he was profiled on a Wilt Chamberlain story however I’m unsure if we provided enough information about Pollack.  There are two brief videos below which outline the life of Harvey Pollack, enjoy. 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10154025973768463

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10154684524777516

The anvil

Remember those Roadrunner cartoons, at some point an anvil would fall on the head of the coyote.  Naturally, the damage sustained by the coyote forced him out of contention for a time in his attempt to catch the roadrunner.  That’s the scenario with Kansas basketball, this does not directly affect this season, but it does the future.  On the court the Jayhawks are experiencing a non-traditional season but that’s not nearly as bad as what is going to eventually face them. 

At some point after the NCAA championship is decided in April a decision will come forth that is going to rock the well of Jayhawk Nation.  The NCAA will make public the depth of punishment the basketball program will be dealt.  In between time there are two four-star prospects signed for the 2021-22 season to date.  What we are unable to see at this point is graduate transfers, will the Kansas basketball program (on the court) be saved in this manner? 

I have a belief (and no method to prove it) Bill Self is not recruiting the players Kansas normally attracts and its due to the anvil.  What I find most interesting the local channels fail to even hint Kansas basketball might be in trouble.  Ever heard the term “Whistling past the graveyard”, it simply implies you are attempting to appear confident when you are afraid?  That’s the locals reporting, its Kansas basketball 24-7 except the pending NCAA penalty.