Basketball from a fans perspective   

Published Monday through Friday

This is rare, I could be wrong

On the other hand, I could be right, I believe we’ve seen the last of Emoni Bates in a Memphis jersey. I think he’s headed elsewhere. He could transfer to another school or turn pro in anyone of three ways. The NBA G-League, Overtime Elite or Australia could turn out to be his destination. Bates has talent it just might not be at the level fostered by scouts since Bates was a high school sophomore. We shall see how this story develops over the course of the next 6-8 months.

I did not burn any of my jerseys

The 2021-22 NBA season began so optimistically for the Lakers. Needless to say, the season thus far has been far less than anyone in Laker Nation might have believed. We might be living in some alternative universe especially after Sunday night. That evening the Lakers lost their game against the Pelicans, not only did they lose they embarrassed themselves. Losing to the Pelicans check, losing to them at home…double check. Losing to them by 28 points is impossible to believe yet it occurred. The Lakers had 23 TO’s, 41% shooting (21% from 3) and no…it’s not necessary to go any further.

Has this ever occurred

The last weekend in February proved detrimental to the college Top 10 teams. This was the first time for this occurrence since 1948-49 the first year there was a UP basketball poll.

No 1 Gonzaga was a loser to St. Mary’s

No 2 Arizona lost to Colorado

No 3 Auburn beaten by Tennessee

No 4 Purdue failed against Michigan State

No 5 Kansas was defeated by Baylor

No 6 Kentucky dropped their game to Arkansas

We don’t know

There are questions circulating regarding Zion Williamson, most of them not good. The calendar now reads March, and we are yet to see him on the court for the Pelicans. One report claimed, “It is extremely difficult for small market NBA teams to retain talent.” Is that the case, does Williamson want out of New Orleans? While the small market statement might be true to a degree would he remain sidelined if he could play? That question becomes one of character, what type is his? It is extremely difficult to judge one’s character without seeing evidence, in this case the evidence fails to exist.

Can we simply state due to a bunch of different issues Williamson (like Anthony Davis) has been injury prone? The Kings at the time in Kansas City had a talented guard on the roster. This player it was believed would lead them deep into the playoffs maybe an NBA Championship. That’s not what occurred, this east coast guy one day informed the front office he “preferred playing on the east coast.” The Kings faced with a choice of losing him in free agency traded him, it was not the destination of choice. He landed with the Denver Nuggets and that’s the short story of an unhappy player. Is Zion unhappy, as this is written we have no idea? Hopefully, he is able to return before the conclusion of the season and he can continue to display the talent we’ve witnessed when healthy.

This is unfair based on several factors

Mizzou Nation realizes the basketball season has turned out to be terrible. Xavier Pinson is not the sole reason for the poor play, allow a brief explanation from this observer. One of our two local sports radio talk stations discussed Mizzou basketball and it’s play on poor play. This is unfair (on my part) because I didn’t hear any portion of the discussion. This is unfair because I don’t wish to character assassinate Pinson but simply point out a few issues. Coach Cuonzo (or a staff member) recruited the athlete, he was not a transfer or a returnee from a prior coach. The coaching staff expected Pinson playing the point would be the leader needed by Mizzou.

On those occasions when Pinson was good, he was particularly good, when he was bad… well you get the idea. Let’s check on the shooting, although there was no requirement for him to score, he simply couldn’t. 41% was the highest Pinson posted in his three seasons at Mizzou, there were turnovers many created by continuing to over penetrate at times. After last season, the transfer portal saw him move to the LSU Tigers, how did that work out. In the recent loss to Kentucky Pinson scored 26 points with 8 assists but shot only 30% from the floor. For me that’s been the issue for the speedy point guard, when Pinson decided to transfer after last season it caused me no issues. Finally, this view, the coach planned on freshman Anton Brookshire or portal transfer Amari Davis to assume the role at the point. Brookshire’s played limited minutes and Davis has proven to be more a scorer than a distributor.