Basketball from a fan’s perspective

“You owe me an apology” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG_pq4RzIG4

If you viewed the YouTube video prior to reading this account, you might have noticed a pattern.  In the 1980 movie Popeye, the father of Olive Oyl was demanding an apology from practically everyone in the room.  Use your imagination, you substitute the father for the Wizards Russell Westbrook and any of those around the table for yours truly writing this blog.  If you’ve read Word’s eye view any length of time you notice in the past, I’ve not been kind to Westbrook.

Over the course of his NBA career, I have maintained a love-hate relationship with the impulsive point guard.  I was probably unfair in one sense, it appeared to me he often used his athletic ability over improving portions of his game.  The trade and his play for the Rockets cemented my thoughts.  It seemed probably unfair on my part Westbrook appeared more concerned with his stats than winning, he appeared infatuated with triple doubles.   Once he arrived in Washington the Westbrook, I was accustomed to seeing would probably continue and then to my surprise we heard these words from Bradley Beal. 

Beal said, “The best teammate” he’s probably ever had.”  Versus the Pacers Westbrook scored 35 points along with 21 assists on Monday leading to the victory.  This game would become the third consecutive double-double for Westbrook.  He still cannot shoot the basketball consistently but makes up for it in other areas.  So, this is it, my public apology to Russell Westbrook NBA All Star.  There are parts of his game I still don’t like but no future complaints from this corner. 

Who you got?

The headline is not grammatically correct however it remains in place.  The reference is the All-Texas semi-final.  Rest assured it’s probably occurred in the past with some other state.  I’m not going to bother with research however the Baylor Bears will face the Houston Cougars on Saturday.  Both teams hope to win advancing to the NCAA Championship on Monday.  This is no intent to declare a winner because both teams are good. 

We thought at one point Baylor might finish the season undefeated, their 26-2 record and covid-19 issues detail they have continued to move on.  If we look back to the beginning of the college basketball season no one had Houston advancing this far.  Apart from the 2014-15 season Kelvin Sampson’s first his team has never won fewer than 20 games.  They have been invited to the tournament 3 out of the last 4 years, the exception was last season when covid-19 shut everything down.   

No, you got that wrong

The Lakers and Nets player movement this March prompted a letter writer to make a statement which I intend to correct.  It is his opinion however a closer examination is required, this fan indicated “LeBron James was responsible for the formation of super teams.”  This writer claimed “The Heatles” of Bron, Wade and Bosh was the first super team assembled however that’s not quite correct in my view. Once upon a time In NBA history super teams were built through the draft and trades, as free agency came into being player movement developed.  

A player had a choice of his destination, the first super team of note in my view was in Los Angeles and not Miami.  This team consisted of guard Jerry West, forward Elgin Baylor and center Wilt Chamberlain.  West and Baylor had been drafted by the Lakers however they obtained The Big Dipper in a trade in July 1968.  Two games into the 1970-71 season Baylor suffered an injury which forced him to miss the entire season.  Baylor would return in 1971-72 but only played 9 games before retiring and in a twist of irony that team won the NBA Championship minus Baylor.     

Why do we continue to knock it?

The IT in this instance is West Coast basketball, we’ve heard complaints about the value of play of Pacific Time Zone basketball for years.  We heard them prior to the tournament but not much since play has begun.  See the ball bounces the same height at Pauley Pavilion as it does at Cameron Indoor Arena.  It’s just a theory but there are reasons, the lack of physical play, the time zone and finally no champion. 

We explore one issue at a time, teams on the West Coast can play just as physical as any others we just don’t witness it often.  The time, weeknight games begin at 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. on the east coast.  Bedtime often interferes with our ability to view west coast games, a 12:00 or 1:00 a.m. conclusion is just too much.  Since the days of UCLA, no Pacific Time Zone team has won a championship.  Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, Southern Cal and Gonzaga provide us proof of quality Pacific Time basketball.  Next time someone mentions west coast basketball in a critical manner tell them to shut up...diplomatically of course.