Basketball from a fans perspective   

Published Monday through Friday

Rookie of the Year, maybe….

The key issue for several NBA newcomers they wind up being drafted by bad teams, with bad teams sometimes your accomplishments go unnoticed. On the other hand, there is an advantage, on less than stellar teams you get to play right away. That’s the case here as we shine the spotlight on Josh Giddey the 6-foot 8 combo guard of the Thunder. He’s listed as the team’s shooting guard however the rookie has been quite impressive dealing out assists to teammates. In fact, Giddey leads the Thunder in assists with 6.4 per game.

That becomes the difficulty, is he a shooting guard, ESPN.com list him at that position but his assist totals provide us another account of his ability. On Sunday evening in a losing effort against the Mavs Giddey registered his first NBA triple double with 17 points 13 rebounds and 14 assists. With his accomplishment Giddey becomes the youngest player in NBA history to register a triple double. At 19 years and 84 days he bested the earlier record of 19 years and 140 days sat last season by LaMelo Ball. Giddey might someday become Australia’s best import in quite a few years. He might not win Rookie of the Year but certainly should receive votes.

Bet you didn’t know this

There’s been plenty of finger pointing regarding the Lakers poor play. Numerous fingers have been pointed in the direction of Russell Westbrook and to a degree he’s been a contributor but he’s not the only guilty party. We can only look at the numbers to assess his performance in Purple and Gold. His scoring is down from 22.2 to 19.5, his scoring is not needed in the same manner while he was a member of the Wizards…check. Westbrook shot .439 from the floor last season it’s .455 for the Lakers, he’s only average from the 3-line and his number is about the same .315…check. His free-throw shooting has continued its downward trend since he first arrived in the NBA, he’s .652 this season and .656 last season…check.

Westbrook rebound and assist totals are down from his time with the Wizards, yet he’s managed four consecutive games where he’s registered a triple double as this is written. It should be of note 19.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.4 assists are good numbers for a 6-foot 3-point guard. Am I retreating from a position taken earlier while Westbrook toiled for the Thunder, Rockets and Wizards? Yes, I am however allow this explanation (or excuse if you prefer). Playing for the Lakers there have been far more opportunities to see him in action. There are times he forces the action which compounds the number of turnovers he registers. Let’s agree a player adapts his game to teammates around him and leave it there. Despite this glowing report by yours truly I am in the minority regarding Westbrook. A poll conducted by a Laker fan website indicates 49% of those who responded want the point guard traded. That might be okay but how do the Lakers accomplish a trade of this magnitude in the middle of the season?

This cannot work

I defended Russell Westbrook and his adjustment to the Lakers in the above account. The “Bet you didn’t know this” was written on Friday for publication this week. This is a change from Friday to Monday morning however it’s hope you see how conflicted this member of Laker Nation is regarding Westbrook. It was written prior to the team’s Sunday night match against the Wolves, the defense of Westbrook ends with this account, NO not my love for the Lakers the defense of Westbrook. The Lakers managed to beat the Wolves Sunday evening but no thanks to Westbrook. His numbers look good except for the turnovers, 9 in all. I mentioned I don’t have NBA League Pass so only the last 3 minutes were available on NBA TV. In my brief view there were instances Westbrook attempted to force the action which always turns out to be a poor decision.

I wonder

This was mentioned after Thanksgiving, but I wanted to expound on the subject a bit. I’m a building nerd, no architectural or technical training nor worked in the building industry. Over the years I’ve attended NBA and college games in Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium, Kemper Arena and T-Mobile. Although I’ve done my share of travel, I’ve never had the opportunity to see the inside of an NBA arena until this past November when we traveled to Dallas. We walked into American Airlines Center located our seats, once inside I gazed around me taking in the size of the arena.

I believe the arena in Kansas City “could fit inside” American Airlines Arena. Do I know this to be a fact, no but check this out? The attendance that evening to see the Mavs and Wizard compete totaled 20,000+ souls. Information uncovered indicates the arena can hold up to 21,146 with standing room. Sprint Center (T-Mobile) seating capacity is reported to be capable of serving as host for 18,972 folks for basketball. No mention is made of standing room at T-Mobile. In closing to avoid confusion there is T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, confused? The arena in Vegas opened with the corporate name on the front of the building. The Kansas City arena opened as Sprint Center but changed names with the T-Mobile merger.