Basketball from a fan’s perspective

For you

Basketball as with other sports good teammates are always a requirement for winning. Average to slightly below average would tend to indicate you are probably not going to win the ultimate prize, a championship. There are other occasions the opposing team is plain better than yours. As for teammates this is for the letter writer who claimed, “Barkley never won because he didn’t have good teammates around him.” In the Thursday edition we pointed to the Suns after his arrival in Phoenix. We can also check out his rookie Sixer team. The 1984-85 Sixers had Maurice Cheeks at the point, Andrew Toney at shooting guard, Julius Irving small forward and Barkley at power forward. This team had Moses Malone at center and coming off the bench was Bobby Jones, Sedale Threatt and Marc Iavoroni. That team finished 2nd in the Atlantic Division and lost to the Celtics in the semi-finals 4 games to 1.  

Later Barkley made his way to the Rockets, the 1996-97 Rockets had Hakeem Olajuwon at center and Clyde Drexler at shooting guard and a team of particularly good reserves. That team finished with a 57-25 record but lost in the Western Conference finals to the Utah Jazz 4 games to 2. I believe this might disprove the fact of “good teammates”, in fact there are four Hall of Fame players who surrounded Barkley at points in his career. The incomparable Dr. J., Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler all enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. 

Naturally, there are circumstances that might cause teams to not perform at their peak. If the letter writer wishes to defend Barkley there is no issue but don’t try to use his teammates as an explanation why he never won a ring. The words of Robert Horry who was traded for Barkley, 1. “Now they (the Rockets) bring in Barkley, a guy who doesn’t like to practice, a guy who doesn’t work hard. And you would have added us to the mix so it’s two vets and two young, we would’ve had a great team. But no, they think, ‘we’re going to bring in Charles.’ But hell you just realize Charles didn’t win anything in Phoenix, he didn’t win anything in Philly.”

1. foxsports.com June 9, 2015

The next Dirk Nowitzki

That was the belief of many when the Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis. After much yelling and screaming by his Knicks drafting Porzingis Stephen A. Smith had to admit he could play. That was then this is now; the play of the Big Man has not evolved as many expected. He was traded to the Mavs where it was believed a new start would cause him to blossom. Well, that’s not exactly worked out in that manner, he now finds himself playing second fiddle to The Don. Luka Doncic is everything Porzingis is not, he’s aggressive and is a skillful shooter and passer.

After his less than spectacular playoff performance Porzingis appears lost in the Mavs future, he is talking as if he no longer fits their offense. The skill remains in place it’s the aggressive part of his game that appears to have disappeared. Porzingis is 7 feet 3 inches and 240 pounds and his play against the Clippers lead you to think he is 6-3 and 170 pounds. At his height and weight there should be no issue with going into the paint yet he’s hesitant to do so. Despite being an NBA veteran Porzingis is only 25-years of age plenty of time to resurrect his career but that’s the issue. No one is going to do it for him he’s got to have the desire to play at a high skill level.                

The number is not correct

It’s the Big 12 Conference but that’s not quite correct, there are only 10 teams in the conference. Since Texas A&M and Mizzou left for the SEC, the conference has remained at the number above. It’s time to add two teams (or become the Big 10, no we already have a Big 10). Arkansas would appear to be a natural fit; it’s got a border with the State of Oklahoma and is close to the two Big 12 schools. Travel would be no issue with this move, would Arkansas entertain moving again?

Would Memphis consider moving to the Big 12, if so, both would benefit a competitive basketball school improving play in the Big 12. How about Missouri State in Springfield? Again, a border with Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. In this age of air transportation is it necessary for the school to be close to the others, after all West Virginia is a Big 12 member? Finally, is there a possibility of Mizzou returning to the Big 12? That would prove quite interesting, it’s occurred in the past teams leaving a conference then returning some years later, it certainly is not beyond the realm of possibility.

I know what I said

This would be the no excuse corner; the playoff shortcomings of the Lakers would not be discussed. All that’s over at this point I’ve grown tired of all the complaints, even those who claim allegiance to Laker Nation. If this sounds like an excuse…guess what it is. The Lakers were crowned NBA champions on October 11, 2020, despite what Charles Barkley has to say. On December 22, 2020, the season would begin again. I will save you from counting, it’s 72 days the shortest turnaround in NBA history. Contrast that with the normal time between a championship and start of the next season would be approximately 3.5 months.

LeBron stated his hope the season would start again in January, but we know what occurred. The Lakers were cruising along playing good basketball until the injuries. Various players suffered nick-nack injuries as Shaq calls them, there were major injuries to AD and LeBron. Both returned to the lineup but were they fully healthy might be a question. The short turnaround not only affected the Lakers, but several other teams suffered significant injuries. Trying to plug Andre Drummond in the lineup on March 29 when AD and LeBron were out, Dennis Schroeder being covid restricted twice. I will stop at this point, agree or disagree the issues detailed why I believe the Lakers failed to defend their championship.