Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Glass half full or half empty

The Lakers won a highly contested game on Wednesday evening versus the Warriors 103-100. LeBron James sank a 3-point basket in the waning seconds of the game sealing the victory. We can all agree the Lakers could have lost this game…. but they didn’t! The Warriors led at the half 55-42 and lost the game, a 13-point lead and they lost allow that to sink in. Much of Laker Nation (including me) is confused by some of the responses seen and heard.

This is one of the stories, a website claimed the Warriors have had past issues with two of the game officials. It didn’t stop there the number of letters I read indicating the Lakers were lucky to win was unbelievable. One writer claiming luck allowed the Lakers to win failed to mention the 20 turnovers committed by the Warriors. Then the media began to weigh in on the subject, a well-known ESPN guy claims “The Lakers are not going very far with LeBron playing on one leg.” I kinda believe LeBron can decide himself if he needs to be on the floor. In addition, I wonder if this guy has a medical degree in addition to journalism.   

Fact or Fiction 

The man, the myth the legend that was the late Wilt Chamberlain. There are so many stories circulating on Chamberlain’s exploits it is sometimes difficult to separate fact from fiction. The other issue the NBA at much of the time he played was not covered extensively as it is now. This story continues to circulate, although you might have missed it earlier its being repeated. NBA documentation identifies four player quadruple doubles in the leagues history. They are Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson.

How about a quintuple-double registering numbers in five areas of a box score? Chamberlain was reported to have accomplished this task, a quintuple-double on March 18, 1968 against the Lakers. The difficulty with recognizing the “record” the NBA did not record blocks and steals in 1968, did it really occur? We just don’t know; the NBA began recording both in the 1973-74 season. Here are the Chamberlain numbers: 53 points, 32 rebounds, 14 assists, 24 blocks and 11 steals. The late Harvey Pollack was the keeper of stats for Philadelphia and the NBA. Do we trust the keen eye of Pollack for this game or is the blocks and steal total suspect?

He spoke

I hope I’ve always made it clear my view of a particular subject is not the only view. On Wednesday, an account was published in response to an ESPN First Take and the subject matter focused on a comment made by co-host Max Kellerman. That is the case you are about to read, Chris read my account of Max Kellerman and added his view of the subject, here goes. 

“These meetings produce rivalries of greatness. In some instances, one person outshines the other. In many, they push a debate over which is the better player since the contests are so close and in some, one player simply outshines the other. So, in that respect I agree one person can impact positively or negatively on a legacy. It’s called rivalries when they play each other Mr. Kellerman. But it’s a pretty lame argument the way Kellerman uses it.”

I can agree as Chris points out perhaps a second or third party can affect one’s legacy but not in the manner Kellerman attempted to point out. It’s interesting in another aspect, I no longer watch First Take. Updated news feeds on my phone provide teasers which increase my curiosity.  Once again Kellerman and Smith managed to rile me up again with their “performance.” Back to previous pursuits until the next time these two or others manage to annoy me again.

Kyle Kuzma is a keeper   

My guess Laker fans more than others have been screaming all last season and this TRADE KYLE KUZMA. This member of Laker Nation believes he is a keeper for several reasons. He is not the player to lead his team to a championship, but his value is underappreciated. As I often state give me the positives, no requirement to constantly inform me of the things a player doesn’t do well. For Kuzma it’s not talent as much as consistency, his game continues to grow as he matures.

During the absence of AD and LeBron I believe he’s come to the forefront in a variety of ways. If scoring is required, he does that, if tough defense is required, he’s apt to do that too. We could make the same statement if a crucial rebound is required too. I believe some Laker fans are plain spoiled, they have been accustomed to winning and outstanding play over the years. Guess what, every Laker player isn’t named Kobe, Magic or Kareem, some are named Kyle. If for some unforeseen reason the Lakers trade Kuzma I hope they receive adequate compensation in return.