Basketball from a fans perspective

You knew the job was dangerous when you took it Fred Mike

Mike Brown has been hired by the Kings to replace interim coach Alvin Gentry. You thought taking the Lakers head coaching job was difficult, coaching this team might be the most challenging job in basketball. Bet you didn’t realize in the last 13 years the Kings have been led by 8 different head coaches and their staff.  The last time the Kings earned a playoff berth was the 2006 season, that’s 16 years since fans have witnessed a playoff game…that is the longest streak in NBA history. It breaks the record set by the Clippers at 15 seasons missed, I happen to like Brown; I believe he’s a good coach however he must be allowed time to revitalize this Kings franchise. In the meantime, Brown will remain with the Warriors as an assistant coach until the end of their playoff run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiZZ0IJL2_w

Now we understand

Hopefully, Jamarion Sharp is headed to Columbia (MO) and Mizzou basketball, the hesitancy on my part is due to the fact he is yet to announce his intentions. As we made note last week, Sharp informed Western Kentucky University he was entering the transfer portal. Exactly why is he headed for Mizzou might be the question, for one thing the coaching staff. Sharp’s coach at John A. Logan Community College is one of the newly hired coaches on Dennis Gates staff.

Sharp is the tallest collegiate player in the nation standing 7 foot 5 and weighing 235 pounds, have you like me wondered about his parents? According to information I uncovered his father is 6 foot 9; his mom is a remarkable 6 foot 5 so now we have a clue as to his growth…it’s his genes. One more tidbit of key information regarding this prospect, last season Sharp recorded 148 blocked shots…Mizzou totaled 134 as a TEAM. This past season Sharp was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a semi-finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

They came back to life

This account could just as easily be the Sixers with Embiid returned from injury. We are actually discussing the Mavs who managed to beat the Suns 103-94 on Friday evening. If you failed to see the game, you might believe based on the score it was close…not so. The Mavs returning home from Phoenix came prepared to dominate which is what they accomplished. In a stunner of a surprise Luka Doncic was not the Mavs high scorer for the game it was another guy.

Luka’s all-around game of 26 points 9 assists and 13 rebounds was one of the keys. Most of all it might have been his improved defensive effort. High scorer on the Mavs side of the court was point guard Jalen Brunson. Truth is Brunson’s 28 points exceeded the total he scored in the first two games of the series. Brunson played 36 minutes mostly at the point and registered only one turnover. Just because the Mavs won this game fails to take into consideration they remain in a deficit. We’ll await the outcome of Game Four to decide which direction this series may be headed.

The Series is now tied 2-2 with the Mavs 111-101 win over the Suns on Sunday.  

My favorite…that’s a tricky question

My desktop is located in my Man Cave, there was an update required for my system and this is what occurred. The companion of the repair person looked around the room and said, “I guess you must be a Laker fan”, she then laughed. Then came the question, “Do you have a favorite Laker player?” I thought for a minute and then said, “I will give you three Kobe, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Magic.” Being a lifelong Laker fan it’s difficult to name just one. Did you notice who is missing from my list of favorites, it’s interesting because each one has a jersey in my Man Cave. The first name is Jerry West, The Logo’s 44 is proudly displayed in a white 1960’s Laker edition, the jersey was actually a holdover rendition from the Minneapolis days. On the opposite wall is Shaquille O’Neal’s number 34, one of the most dominate Big Men to play the game.

On the opposite wall is a number 13 jersey that Wilt Chamberlain wore as a Laker in the ‘70’s. Next to it a white Minneapolis Laker number 22 the one worn by Elgin Baylor his rookie year in that upper Midwest city. As you can see there are other former Lakers whose jerseys hang on my wall. Jerseys yet to be acquired, James Worthy and Pau Gasol. Big Game James Worthy with probably the quickest first step in Laker history and maybe the NBA. Worthy was given the nickname because he always played well with the game on the line. Power forward Pau Gasol certainly deserves to be honored; he was a vital contributor to two championships won by the Lakers. Yet to be determined do, Anthony Davis and LeBron James deserve recognition in my Man Cave. With the exception of Jerry West and Kobe Bryant all those on my wall of honor played for other franchises, all were acquired through free agency or trade. There you have it, included in the inventory are plaques and photos, but the jerseys are the most obvious to all.