Basketball from a fan’s perspective

When you are through improving, you are through.      unknown

I love nicknames

His name is Jarron Coleman, and he is a 6-foot 5-inch 205-pound combo guard.  The numbers produced at Ball State led him to be named Mid-America Conference Freshman of the Year.  After the season he chose to enter the transfer portal and Cuonzo Martin recruited him.  In this instance we must trust the Mizzou coaching staff regarding Coleman’s ability, his scoring average is good however the standout mark is his shooting from distance. 

Last season Coleman shot an outstanding 42.5% beyond the 3-line, those who follow Mizzou remember how the team suffered at times last season shooting the 3.  The hope given time Coleman will adjust his game to the play of SEC basketball, oh the nickname thing.  He’s got a somewhat interesting nickname he is Boogie.  For Mizzou Nation we must trust the coaching staff and its scouting ability and expect the transition to SEC will be smooth for Boogie. 

Take the money

If you peruse the NBA mock draft sites like me you will note a change over time, there are freshmen, sophomores, juniors and international players and few seniors. Missing for the most part are college seniors and there is an explanation for that, if an athlete has ability (or maybe not) they leave school for the draft after their freshmen year.  Several are not drafted but wind up playing in Europe, Australia or the G-League.  Back to the subject at hand at one time I was totally opposed to players leaving school after their freshmen year.  I had an old fashion belief a player should remain in school four years however a couple of issues changed my mind.  The first, the possibility of severe injury impacting their basketball future. 

I cannot remember the name; this occurred more than 10 years ago, a Colorado player was projected to be one of the top picks in the upcoming draft that year.  He said no to the draft preferring to return to school where he would later suffer a severe injury.  After rehabbing this player was able to return to the court however the NBA never called his name.  The second issue, assurance of draft position.  NBA teams can inform a player in advance, if it appears he is a possible second round pick the player should remain in school.  Money not guaranteed in the second round, it is in the first.  If there is assurance it’s the first round, the odds say you should proceed directly to go.  Projected as a lottery pick that player should seal himself in bubble wrap and wait for the draft.  As for an education college will always be there, the player can return to school in the off season.

Dumb statements I’ve heard

I’ve made a few dumb statements regarding basketball or those who play the game.  Hopefully, none have been as ridiculous as some on the list below.  Most often they are intended to be serious by the person uttering the sentence.  

“I only watch the last 5 minutes or so of a basketball game.”  Really, so you turn on the baseball or football game in the 7^th inning or 4^th quarter.  Really a strange comment by a “fan.” 

“I don’t follow the NBA since Michael Jordan retired.”  You were not a fan of the game; you were a fan of the player, which is okay, but the statement sounds a bit strange. 

“They don’t play defense, especially in the NBA.”  This one is half correct, there are teams that play better defense than others.  To make a blanket indictment covering all elements of the game is ridiculous. 

After the Lakers acquired Ben McLemore, this from a letter writer.  “Ben McLemore is better than Kyle Kuzma,” no further explanation required here, what a dumb statement.

“The commissioner is out to get us.”  Whether we agree or not decisions are rendered in the best interest of the NBA and not individual teams.

How about this one, “The refs must have money on the game.”  The conspiracy theorists who believe everyone is cheating in one way or another. 

“He plays the game the right way,” This one defies explanation, is there a wrong way to play the game?

“The game isn’t what it use to be”, this could be tied in with the Michael Jordan quote above.  Most of us are nostalgic however the game and players change over the years.  There are elements of the game I don’t like however I remain a fan of the game.   

“The coach should give that guy a chance”, the guy might not be on the floor because his talent and skill level is below the player in front of him.  The coach certainly can comprehend portions of the game we as fans are unable to see.

Bully ball

We discussed bully basketball in which Shaq demonstrated throughout his NBA career.  We’ve discovered Laker center Andre Drummond plays it however there are others, and all don’t play the center position.  Although Pelican forward Zion Williamson is relatively new to the NBA, he plays bully basketball.  At 6 foot 7 and 284 pounds better get out of his way as he drives to the basket for a dunk or layup. 

We’ve seen Zion move opposing players out of the way as he goes back up to score on a missed shot.  LeBron James has bullied opposing players since his arrival in the NBA back in 2003.  He certainly demands you move over whenever he is driving for the basket, his size 6 foot 8 and 250 pounds demands it.  Draymond Green is the smallest at 6 foot 6 and 230 pounds he’s played bully ball for several seasons, think he’s not tough?  Green moves into the center position at times providing us proof how tough he is.  There are probably others, you might include several I omitted in this brief account.