Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Monday, Wednesday & Friday  

Laker moves  

The hatin’ will now officially begin as the Lakers have commenced making moves. Defensive specialist (and good 3-point shooter) Trevor Ariza was signed to a 1-year contract. Also coming on board 3-point specialist Wayne Ellington signed for one year and ditto for center Dwight Howard also 1-year. Then we had a late addition, another former Laker guard Kent Bazemore signed you guess it a 1-year contract. Most interesting the other three at one time played for the Lakers as well with Howard being the most recent departure. His return is different from the others, he was a key to their 2020 NBA championship. According to reports at the time Howard signed with the Sixers ahead of the Lakers attempt to re-sign him.

Marc Gasol announced his intention to fulfill his contract so he’s back. It would appear the center position is now solidified with the Gasol/Howard combo. On Tuesday, the Lakers announced the signing of guards Malik Monk and Kendrick Nunn, in addition veteran forward Carmelo Anthony came on board. The latest continue the trend of 1-year contracts. Holdover Talen-Horton Tucker signed a three-year deal, so he returns. It’s not all winning for the Lakers they lose reserve Alex Caruso; he signs a 4-year deal with the Bulls. As for the other negative the age factor, most of the free agents assigned thus far are on the other side of thirty.

We realize injuries are part of the game and a team long in the tooth might face this issue more than a younger team. It is a concern however there remains no reason to not become optimistic about the potential future of this team once it is complete. Hopefully, Talen-Horton Tucker (20), Austin Reaves (23) and Joel Ayayi (21) will lower the average age of the team a bit. This is now the oldest team in the NBA averaging 33 years of age. Losing Caruso, Morris and some of the others doesn’t entail this team “forgetting” how to play defense. That’s what we hear from those criticizing the free agent moves. We have also heard this one, “_______ Lakers are trying to buy another NBA championship.” I am preparing myself early should the Lakers win in 2022.

No Chamber of Commerce connection

With Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC the Big XII faces an uncertain future. That outlook is directly tied into the economics of Kansas City Missouri. Mayor Quinton Lucas mentioned the Big XII Conference Basketball Tournament generates $15 million in revenue for the City of Kansas City Missouri. I have no Chamber of Commerce connection; I’m not related to anyone who works at T-Mobile Arena, I have no personal stake in the tournament continuing to be held here.

Despite the disclaimer I would hate to see the city lose revenue should the Big XII come apart at the seams. At the same time there are hundreds of employees who work at the arena, restaurants, hotels and other venues across the metro. Most would continue to be employed but it’s almost certain a number might see themselves working less days a week with no tournament. Okay, I’m selfish, not for me but for others who must purchase groceries and make that auto and day care payment. The tournament is a vital part of Kansas City’s economic outlook.

This was interesting

Thanks to NBA on ClutchPoints for this history check, in 2016 LeBron James and Kyrie Irvin were teammates with the Cavs, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were fellow members of the Thunder. In 2021 LeBron James and recently traded Russell Westbrook are now Laker teammates while Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irvin are with the Nets. The “experts” have the Nets facing the Lakers for the 2022 NBA Championship. Here the reminder is inserted, remember the thought process about October or so of last year. I speak of the period immediately after James Hardin was traded to the Nets. The legion of so-called knowledgeable folks had the Nets and Lakers facing one another for the 2021 NBA championship. We all know how that played out at the end don’t we?

The third season begins 

Playoff basketball in the NBA is often titled “The Second Season,” the NBA is about to begin it’s “Third Season.” You are questioning the statement; the third season is NBA Summer League action, with COVID-19 raging last summer there was no play. As for 2021 it will commence August 8 in Las Vegas Nevada; we have an opportunity to observe rookies and a few second-year players in action. This will not be the first pro action for Jalen Green and Josh Giddy and others.

Those two played in the G-League and NBL (Australia) previously. In recent years we’ve witnessed Jae Morant, Trae Young and others in their first professional debut, it was in the summer many Laker fans “discovered” Kyle Kuzma. If you are an NBA junkie and happen to be in Vegas between August 8-17 you can catch some interesting NBA action at the Cox Pavilion or Thomas & Mack Center. All 30 NBA teams will participate in summer league play with a champion crowned on August 16 or 17. I failed to mention the games will be broadcast on NBA TV too.