Basketball from a fans perspective   

Published Monday through Friday

The mystique  

Allen Fieldhouse located on the campus of Kansas University is counted among the most difficult for opposing teams to play and more specially to win. The others are Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, The Dean Dome at North Carolina and Rupp Arena home of the Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky found itself at Allen Fieldhouse in the SEC/Big XII Challenge, who wins? Headed into the game Kansas the number 5 team in the nation was favored as they should have been. Fans viewing the action on television and in Allen Fieldhouse were treated to an unexpected development, one unlike what we might have expected. A beat down was not the outcome most believed was forthcoming, an over 20-point lead at times was whittled down to 18 points at the end.

The final score had Kentucky beating Kansas 80-62. The game saw Kentucky’s team shoot nearly 51% from the floor while Kansas was at 41%, the Wildcats out rebounded the Jayhawks 41-19. The Jayhawks led in the game for 1 minute and 13 seconds in the first half, which was it. Although he wasn’t the leading scorer Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe proved to be one of the difference makers. He scored 17 points along with 14 rebounds and 61.5% shooting from the floor, Keion Brooks was invaluable for Kentucky as he scorched the nets with 27 points. What occurs going forward, in all likelihood it appears Kansas remains the best team in the Big XII despite the horrendous loss. Fans in Big Blue Nation won’t like this, but the Wildcats might be the second-best team in the SEC, second behind Auburn.

How to fix the Lakers

I’m replacing Laker GM Rod Pelinka in the Big Chair; this is my plan for fixing the Lakers. Allow LeBron to be LeBron the balance of his days, as for the others. This team requires an infusion of youth even if it means not competing for a while. This will not be pleasing to many in Laker Nation, but it must be accomplished, the team as its exists is too old. “Well Larry Laker how is that accomplished with few players to trade and practically no draft choices.” You add players in a stealth manner, consider this fact. The Lakers (if still in place) have one of the best scouting staffs in the NBA. The players below were drafted or signed by the Lakers in free agency.

Austin Reaves

Kyle Kuzma

DeAngelo Russell

Lonzo Ball     

Jordan Clarkson

Julius Randle

Those are but a few talented players that saw the floor at Staples Center in the past. Of course, with the exception of Reaves none of the names mentioned is a current member of the Lakers but that’s the point. The Lakers scouting staff is certainly capable of uncovering talent even though it might come in the form of a second-round gem like Clarkson. It is clear one of the pieces Stanley Johnson is secured, as this was being compiled came word after a series of 10-day contracts it is a 2-year agreement for the 25-year-old. What was accountable for the contract…Johnson’s tough defense and he’s got LeBron singing his praises.

In the category of keepers, I’m reluctant to include Anthony Davis in the group due to his propensity to suffer injuries that force him out of the lineup. AD’s age plus his ability make it difficult to exclude him. We add Davis to the roster of Malik Monk, Talen Horton-Tucker, Sekou Doumbouya, Kendrick Nunn, Austin Reaves. Of this group Davis is next to the oldest at age 28. Bradley is the elder statesman at 31 but is followed by two 21-year old’s, two 23-year old’s, and one 26-year-old. The balance of the roster would be comprised of youth and just a minimum number of oldsters. See I fixed the Lakers for the future although quite a few in Laker Nation might be upset with my roster. NOTE: This all changes rapidly should the Lakers pull a massive trade by the February 10 NBA Trade deadline.

No such thing

On my social media page, I wrote; “There is no such thing as a moral victory.” Like me you might have heard that expression used for a number of years. Simply stated it just infers your team played as good as it could but still managed to lose the game, it doesn’t matter how close the game might have been…it remains a loss. My friend Dwyane played college basketball, so he took me to task over my statement. He pointed to an example his team played while he was in college which he believed countered my statement.

After reading my friends view of the subject, he convinced me his counterview of the subject made sense and I could accept it. Perhaps I didn’t provide enough detail of the point I was attempting to make. Allow a further explanation, Mizzou lost its game against number one Auburn by a single point 55-54. Mizzou Coach Cuonzo Martin is on the hot seat with Mizzou fans over the inferior performance of the basketball team this season. To play Auburn tough down to the wire might have seen by a few fans (and maybe the AD) as “a moral victory” but it certainly won’t benefit this coach in maintaining his job. Cuonzo Martin has brought integrity to the Mizzou program but that just might not be enough.

3-point shooting

Two acquaintances read my account on the decline of the Big Man on January 25. They concluded I was somewhat opposed to 3-point shooting, which is not the case. I am more upset with 7 footers who take an overabundance of shots from distance, let’s take a glance at the numbers and a few names. According to information uncovered 40% and above is considered exceptionally good, P.J. Tucker of the Heat is best at this writing he’s 47% behind the line.

The all-time worst 3-point shooter for his career would be Charles Barkley, the TNT host shot 26.6%. Any percentage below 34.2% is just that, not particularly good. For purposes of this account let’s check out a few Big Men. For their careers the numbers for the best Big Men in the NBA, Joel Embiid is shooting 33% Nikola Jokic is 34.7%. I was surprised, the best percentage for a career is the Wolves Karl-Anthony Towns. Anthony Towns is shooting 39% and this might be the highest percentage for any of the NBA’s Bigs.