Basketball from a fans perspective

Difficult to figure

With the 102-82 drubbing administered Monday evening by the Celtics this series between the Celtics and Heat is now tied 2-2. This has been a difficult playoff series to determine what might be the best team. With each having blowout wins the most competitive game might have been Game Three with the 109-103 victory by the Heat. This writer is not into MMA or whatever it’s name so let’s do boxing in conclusion. The Heat are Heavyweight Champion George Foreman, and the Celtics are Muhammad Ali, both going round after round throwing haymaker after haymaker at one another without a declared winner. There is a difference however, either “Foreman” wins or “Ali”. There are no draws in the NBA playoffs, there will be a champion crowned we just don’t know which one…. yet.  Game 5 will be covered later.

The question is why?

Former NBA player JJ Redick is the latest to weigh in on this continued controversy. Why must we denigrate the role pioneers of the game such as Bob Cousy were skilled enough to accomplish? I’m not going to quote the Redick statement but simply ask why? There is no argument from this corner, the best conditioned athletes are those we see nightly in person or on our televisions. Probably 90% of you reading this had no opportunity to witness Cousy in action. Your view of Cousy is grainy black and white YouTube video of the former Celtic in action.

There’s an old saying, “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” Simply stated “You toss rocks in the direction of my home I can send a few right back breaking the glass in your living quarters.” We have the opportunity to character assassinate Redick too, how about this. After being National Player of the Year at Duke significant play was expected in the NBA although it didn’t arrive quickly. On your third NBA team you finally demonstrated your talent as a valued athlete. Your NBA numbers are good, but we can say in truth they ain’t great. Cousy is in the Naismith and College Basketball Halls of Fame, thus the basketball history session ends.

Well on second thought

This is written some weeks after Jamarion Sharp decided his future was at Western Kentucky over Mizzou. The 7-foot 5 inch shot blocker who led the nation in that category might have returned to the location he was most comfortable. Naturally, this member of Mizzou Nation was disappointed with his decision but certainly understands the why. Perhaps by the time this is read Coach Gates will have settled on a center or maybe he’s there already. As for the idea the center is already there I speak of Mohamed Diarra. Diarra stands 6 foot 10 and 215 pounds, depending on the coaches offense Diarra might play immediately.

It’s unfair to look at his numbers (17.8 ppg and 12.6 rebounds) and expect that type of production in a Mizzou jersey. Although he was conference co-defensive player of the year that represents junior college basketball, he will require an adjustment period. We hope the coaching staff manages to locate a center willing to commit prior to August. Since I’m a “Glass half full rather than Half empty” guy let’s check Kobe Brown. Brown certainly has the girth at 250 pounds but might possibly give away too much height at 6 foot 8 to opposing centers. If this “small lineup” is all there is expect gang rebounding by this undersized Mizzou basketball team. Despite what might appear to be negatives I for one am looking forward to the 2022-23 season.

Guess who’s NOT getting an NBA team

2024 is almost two full years away, in addition the NBA will not be at play in these locations until probably one year later. The report we read indicates Seattle is one of the proposed new expansion teams we realize that’s a shocking surprise, right? We know the team in the Pacific Northwest will take on the Sonics name again, we have no idea what name will be chosen by the Las Vegas team. Yes fans, it appears Las Vegas with an expansion NHL team and now the NFL Raiders moved to the front of the line.

My hometown Kansas City is on the outside looking in once again. There will be NO ADDITIONAL NBA EXPANSION beyond adding these two cities, what occurs for Kansas City in the future? I’m glad you ask the question; Kansas City will be next up. Should a franchise desire to re-locate guess where they are headed? Despite the fact Vegas moved to the front of the line I’m okay if this should occur. Oklahoma City and Dallas are less than an 8-hour drive from Kansas City, I could see a couple of road trips in my immediate future. Flight time to both locations is even faster, flight time wheels up---wheels down is about an hour. Keep in mind this is not an official announcement from the NBA it is believed to be conceivable. 

One of the great mysteries of life

First, he arrives, we are concerned if he will fit in with the Lakers. In late November or early December, we said give this “marriage” a chance, by the end of February most of Laker Nation was screaming NO! We had to get rid of Russell Westbrook in the off season no matter the cost. That was then, this is now…instead of Westbrook being history it might be LeBron James. There are reports circulating former coach Phil Jackson who still holds court with ex-Jeanie Buss made his thoughts known.

PJ wants the Lakers to allow Westbrook an additional season under a different coach. We have no clue whether PJ has this much power with Rob Pelinka and others still involved in the decision making. This we know and have known for quite a while; this incoming coach must be a slam dunk hire. Not only that this present roster must be re-constructed from top to bottom no matter who remains. Can Westbrook be saved; I remain skeptical after his first season with the team. We don’t know all the locker room stories but it appeared LeBron was on his side which should carry some weight. Truth of the matter it might be greater than PJ…who knows.