Basketball from a fans perspective   

Published Monday through Friday

Best of the bunch

I will repeat a statement I’ve made several times; LaMelo Ball might be the best of the bunch. He might be more talented than his older brother Lonzo, he’s certainly got skills LiAngelo doesn’t have. There are many who will look at the YouTube video and call it hotdog. I say its shades of Pete Maravich, Globetrotters or Jason Williams (look him up). Check it out for yourself and see what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWLkKO2Te58

The Impossible

It really can’t be The Impossible when it actually occurs as it did on Saturday afternoon. Alabama was the visitor in Mizzou Arena as they faced the stumbling Tigers who were 14-point underdogs in some circles. The Tigers were short two roster members coming into the game. The final score read Mizzou 92-Alabama 86, ahead of the game Alabama came in the number 15 team in the nation. The Tigers led by Kobe Brown’s 30 points and 13 rebounds fought an uphill battle facing a good Bama team.

Brown was aided with balanced team scoring and defense, Jarron Coleman (18 points), DaJuan Gordon and Javon Pickett both scored 15 points. Does this game become a turning point for Mizzou as they are now 1-1 in the SEC 7-7 overall? We have no idea, Mizzou after taking a number of punches thus far in the season managed to come off the ropes and issue their own knockout punch. Without Brown’s scoring and leadership Mizzou would have lost the game but the caveat was the sparkling team play. This is the confusing part to Mizzou Nation, we believed there was talent on the roster despite having a relatively young and new team.

The record that will never be broken!

The headline might appear bold but allow a further explanation. On Friday January 7^th Lakers were scheduled to play the Hawks, the game took on far more significance than ordinary because of the historical aspect of the game. It was the 50^th Anniversary of the game that set the NBA’s consecutive team winning streak. The Lakers lost their game versus the Golden State Warriors October 31, 1971, they would not lose a game through November and into December. Friday January 7, 1972, the Lakers would beat the Hawks in Atlanta 134-90. On Sunday January 9, the Lakers faced Lew Alcindor and his Milwaukee Bucks, that afternoon the Bucks managed to secure the win 120-104. The Bucks win stopped the Lakers 33 game winning streak a record that was set in their Friday night game against the Hawks.

In this instance we are discussing winning streaks during a single season, the records indicate other teams have consecutive win streaks exceeding 17, they were all accomplished combining two seasons. In this instance we are discussing a winning streak accomplished in a single season. Prior to the Lakers the previous record was held by the defunct Washington Capitols in the 1947-1948 season with a 17-game winning streak. Imagine an NBA team playing two months and four days without losing a game. We talk all the time about records are made to be broken, that might be the case however this is one record that will never be broken by any team in any sport. On Friday, these Lakers led by LeBron James 32 points beat the Hawks 134-118, their 4^th win in a row…only 29 more to break the record of the ’72 Laker team LOL.

The 2022 NBA Draft, not this time

One of the best players in the nation will not hear his name called in the 2022 draft. It’s not the fact the NBA is ignoring him it’s his age, he will turn 18 years old in February 2022. Yes, Sterling “Scoot” Henderson began his pro debut as a 17-year-old playing for G-League team Elite. Although he is a point guard, he is more like many of today’s athletes a combo guard. At 6 foot 2 and 195 pounds he’s got the ability to play both guard positions. Henderson was listed as a 5-star prospect by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN. The youngster hails from Marietta Georgia in metro Atlanta.

Henderson’s signing by the G-League broke new ground, I don’t follow tennis, hockey or other sports that might sign a teen but believe his contract might be the largest ever. May 2021 Henderson signed a $1 million contract to play with G-League Team Elite. His early stats detail a 14 point, 5 rebound and 3.7 assist a game number. These are certainly healthy for someone who technically should still be in high school. Henderson is often matched against players with pro experience and ages 21-27, his early stats indicate for us he's got game and skill. Henderson can only get better if he remains free of injury and continues work on his game. As for the NBA Draft 2023 is the earliest date Henderson can be drafted.