Basketball from a fan’s perspective

“Winning takes precedence overall. There’s no gray area. No almost.”  Kobe Bryant

Bits and Pieces  

Former Mizzou coach Mike Anderson received a 6-year extension from St. John’s. Anderson was named Big East Conference coach of the year, the Johnnies finished 16-11 (10-9 in the conference). They had been a preseason pick for 9^th place and the extension is a reward for Anderson. The 2020-21 season was the first time St. John’s finished over .500 since the 2014-15 season, I know, Anderson coached at Arkansas before the St. John’s hire. 

This is funny in a manner of speaking allow me to elaborate a bit. I’ve only been employed at my present job about 10 months. During breaks sports especially the NBA is a prime topic for discussion. If you’ve read Words eye view 4 years or more, you have more information than my co-worker. One day he said for all to hear, “He’s (me) only been a Laker fan since Lebron got there.” All I did was smile because I know, and you know that statement is far from correct. 

What about basketball in Australia, well it’s risen significantly over the last few years. Luc Longley was the first Australian to play in the NBA and it would begin. Andrew Bogut played for the Bucks and NBA champion Warriors. The Nets Kyrie Irvin and Sixer Ben Simmons plus Dante Exum were all born in Australia, LaMelo Ball proved he could play the game in the nation down under. In the July NBA draft there is a high degree of probability we’ll hear the name Josh Giddey announced. Giddey is a 6-foot 8-inch guard who played for the Adelaide 36ers in NBL, now for the disclaimer. This is no guarantee for future success in the NBA, but he should be a keeper. 

The NBA is saying “James Harden, Trae Young we see you.” It’s being reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski the league will look at “Unnatural Shooting Motions” intended to draw fouls by an opposing player. These moves force an official to whistle the defensive player who’s been goaded into a foul. Adapt and change is always in effect for leagues including the NBA. No argument on my part a player should be awarded free throws when fouled but some of the methods to draw the foul are somewhat suspect. 

I almost fell out of my chair laughing  

Recently clutchsports.com contained a story, I didn’t read it completely only the headline. It read: “Why Laker Fans hate Paul George”, I’m a Laker fan I don’t hate George. I’m going to speculate this is likely based on his recent past, at first, he dropped hints about wanting to return home to play. Despite his proclamation he was being wooed all along by the Clippers. If he wanted the Clippers that’s okay with this member of Laker Nation, all I had to go on was what you said.

I admit I was upset when you made the decision because I seriously believed you wanted Purple and Gold. I held the grudge for a while but that’s all in the rearview mirror now. What do I want now from George, nothing except for this to occur when the Clippers are playing my Lakers? George misses all his field goal attempts…well most of them? The possibility of him dribbling the ball off his foot or a rebound might slip from his fingertips. At the free throw line, he misses the front end of all foul shots, that just about fixes it for me.    

He didn’t score…at all 

Ben Wallace is headed to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2021. The highest scoring average he ever totaled in the NBA was 9.7 points a game, proof it was not the ability to score that made him a hall of fame candidate. Wallace played for four teams but is best remembered for his tenure with the Pistons aiding them in winning the 2004 NBA Championship, Wallace will become the first HOF enshrine undrafted.

I’m getting ahead of the story; first he would attend Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland Ohio for two years from there Wallace would attend HBCU Virginia Union. In 1996 he would go undrafted but played for the Washington Bullets/Wizards franchise. From there it was the Magic and then the Pistons where he would distinguish himself. He was four times defensive player of the year, six times first or second team defense. Those are but a few of the distinguishing marks for next year’s HOF honoree Ben Wallace.