Basketball from a fans perspective

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I didn’t see the game

The Celtics won Game Three 116-100, I am unable to add much because I didn’t have an opportunity to witness the game. There are two glaring takeaways from the box score that caught my eye. 11 points, that’s all the Warriors could score in the 4^th quarter, that ain’t gonna cut it no way…no how. The Celtics Jaylen Brown appears to be a significant key for them. In earlier playoff series he played somewhat up and down, in this series he is directly behind Jayson Tatum in scoring and everything else. As for the Game Four winner I haven’t a clue who wins.

Want to know why the Knicks are so terrible?

I’m unsure it it’s Charles Barkley or Stephen A. Smith, both often dual as to who can make the dumbest statement that is rational to them. Smith offered us a brief explanation as to why the Knicks are so terrible. It’s all the fault of Phil Jackson despite the fact he left the franchise in 2017 over 5 years ago. Just the other day Stephen A. Smith went on one of his usual rants about the Knicks. Most of us are aware Jackson’s not been a decision maker for the Knicks since the team and he came to a parting of the ways June 28, 2017, but the timing was right at least for Smith.

Smith blamed Jackson for drafting Frank Ntilikina although Donovan Mitchell was on the board. Let’s return to the year and draft briefly, we checked two mock drafts from that year, NBA.com and CBSSports.com. We realize a mock is just that, a projection where that player might be drafted. Although Ntilikina’s NBA career has been less than stellar both mocks projected him as the number 9 pick, as for Mitchell he was projected at 11 in one and 12 in the other. While finger pointing, we might aim one at the Nuggets, they drafted Mitchell with pick 13 but traded his rights draft night.

Who did the Nuggets acquire in the trade, Trey Lyles and Tyler Lydon? Lyles has maintained a packed suitcase as he’s had several NBA stops since 201, as for Lydon he is no longer in the NBA. Smith doesn’t like Phil Jackson; okay we get it but there is a question. Why is it necessary to retreat into the pass to offer an explanation, how many draft picks since 2017 have the Knicks had to correct this apparent mistake? The number is 8, the Knicks have drafted 8 players so how can we look back at a single draft and one player as Smith has done? A single player and Phil Jackson is the basis for continued poor play by the Knicks is the conclusion. Only in the Bizzarro World of Stephen A. Smith is this possible for someone with no connection to the team be pronounced the culprit.

A second chance

Four years ago, Isaiah Mosley was attending Rock Bridge High School in Columbia (MO). We must assume the coaching staff at Mizzou back then had an opportunity to see him play. We ask the question, did Cuonzo Martin and staff seriously recruit him, we just don’t know? Whatever the case Mosley chose to attend Missouri State in Springfield rather than remain at home and choose Mizzou. For the record, the young man was Mr. Show Me Basketball in 2019 for the State of Missouri.

As for the recent change, Mosely has a coach in Dennis Gates who believes the 6-foot 5 combo guard could fill a niche for Mizzou. His numbers while playing at Missouri State were particularly good, Mosley was twice selected First-Team All Missouri Valley Conference. All we can say at this point welcome to the ZOU Mosley, it’s better late than never. Although Mosely arrives as a senior “pandemic” athletes can return for an additional year if they desire. Gates has done it again attracting a talented player to Mizzou we are impressed. The remaining question cannot be answered until we begin play. Has the coach and his staff put together a team capable of competing in the SEC and beyond?

Imagine this a moment  

You are told by your prospective coach, “If you come here, you are not going to play as a freshman.” That was spelled out to Dereck Lively II at the time Westtown’s basketball coach was discussing his possible enrollment. We speak of Westtown Prep School situated in West Chester; about three hours’ drive time west of Philadelphia. In addition to preparing students academically among its alumni are Mo Bamba and Cam Reddish both NBA players. Despite the warning coach Lively II decided to attend Westtown and play for coach Seth Berger.

Even with little playing time as a freshman by his senior year the 7 foot 1, 220 pound Lively II was declared the best high school basketball player in the nation. He would decide in favor of attending Duke despite the fact coach K. is no longer on the scene. Lively II indicates a desire to play for Jon Scheyer and begin establishing a new legacy. As for comparisons think a little more athletic Chet Holmgren for example. This incoming Duke freshman has 3-point range although unlike Holmgren that doesn’t appear to be his strong suit. Lively II is not all offense, he’s got a defensive presence as well and is quite adept at blocking shots. Every season there are 3-4 freshman athletes to see play at the next level, Dereck Lively II can be counted among the number.

The countdown is on

This is written exactly two weeks prior to the NBA Draft. As this is written we have no idea who goes at the top. Just as a reminder the order is Orlando, OKC, Houston, Sacramento and Detroit as the first five. Most place Jabari Smith in the top slot, the remainder is a question mark. We strongly believe OKC will not pick Paolo Banchero, the former Duke athlete has gone on record claiming he doesn’t wish to play there. We are unsure how to categorize this draft as a strong or weak one.