Basketball from a fan’s perspective

We are the Champions my friend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXw8CRapg7k

This portion is written about 30 minutes prior to game time, most of us think we know who will win.  The hope of course whichever team wins it matches the intensity of the Gonzaga-UCLA semi-final game.  TIP OFF:  The Baylor Bears smacked Gonzaga upside the head early, they made 3 point shots, offensive rebounds and outhustled the Zags for every loose ball on the floor.  Gonzaga didn’t help their cause committing several forced and unforced turnovers, Baylor had a 19-point lead at a time. 

The half time score read Baylor 47 Gonzaga 37 and it could have been so much worst for Gonzaga.  Defense, defense was the repetition of the Baylor Bears, it seemed every time a run was made by Gonzaga Baylor had an answer.  We found out why Baylor led the nation in 3-point shooting, late in the game it seemed Baylor had 7 players on the floor versus 5 for Gonzaga.  Baylor was quicker than Gonzaga all evening long for every contested ball on the court, final score Baylor 86 Gonzaga 70.  Congratulations to the Baylor Bears 2021 NCAA Champions.   

All in the Family

No, this is not a report on the classic television series…it’s a history of Carolina basketball coaches.  The recently retired Roy Williams replacement is hired, his name is Hubert Davis.  If the name sounds familiar to you it should, Davis played for North Carolina and served as an assistant under Roy Williams and now becomes head coach of the program. 

As for the “All in the Family” reference consider the history, at the time long-time coach Dean Smith retired in 1997 his assistant Bill Guthridge took over the program.  When Guthridge retired in 2000 former Carolina player and assistant coach Matt Doherty took over.  Doherty resigned a few years later and was replaced by ex-Kansas coach Roy Williams in 2003.  Williams was an assistant under Dean Smith during the 1978-1978 season.  We now have Davis hired, Carolina Blue continues.   

See me later

December 22, 2020 the Lakers received no early Christmas present, on that date the Clippers beat my Lakers 116-109.  Fast forward to Sunday April 4, 2021 those same Clippers beat my Lakers once again however there is a difference between the two games.  Game one all hands were on deck, Game two missing in action for the Lakers were Anthony Davis and LeBron James.  Does this appear to be an excuse for the loss, you can take it as that if you desire.  My desire is to see both teams healthy playing one another.   

Not exactly surprising

The outcome of the NCAA Championship is unknown as this is written Monday morning.  In addition to Jalen Suggs exploits on Saturday evening we read the freshman Gonzaga guard was Mr. Basketball in the State of Minnesota.  Suggs was also named Mr. Football while playing quarterback at Minnehaha Academy, it’s reported he could have secured a scholarship to play football.  This certainly is no predictor of future success in the NBA however this is not exactly surprising information.  It should also be of note number one prospect Chet Holmgren in the Class of 2021 attends Minnehaha Academy.  Back to Suggs a moment, I wonder if he might have played baseball too? 

Speaking of great shots 

My focus on the Christian Laettner winning basket shot has been influenced by the number of times we’ve witnessed the play since 1992.  David reminded me there was another late game winning shot occurring earlier.  In the 1987 NCAA Championship Indiana and Syracuse face one another and the game came down to Keith Smart.  Below is video of the shot for your judgement. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45ZWnRRRDNU