Basketball from a fans perspective

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He’s the other guy

There are two instances which stand out for me regarding Andrew Wiggins. The first opinion was voiced by my former barber a Kansas basketball fan. This was the statement, “He’s (Wiggins) playing to avoid injury so he can go to the NBA.” From his perspective Wiggins was moving about half speed not giving it his all and all. Later while Wiggins was a member of the Wolves Jimmy Butler placed Karl-Anthony Towns and Wiggins on blast. Butler claimed neither teammate was putting forth their maximum effort during games.

Was the complaint valid in both instances, we have no idea we can only look at his time with the Warriors. Many will contend it was Steph’s lights outshooting with 43 points one of the keys to the 107-97 victory by the Warriors on Friday night. How about this observation, Wiggins game might have been just as significant, the 17 points and 16 rebounds by the 197-pound small forward proved crucial? In 43 minutes on the floor Wiggins had only 2 turnovers and he ended the game with a +20 rating. I cannot begin to discuss his play at Kansas or in the NBA with the Wolves, I can only see what is in front of me now. Win this series or not, we can say Andrew Wiggins can play the game.

You must use your imagination

I don’t have the rights to the photo so I must describe it for you, on the other hand, you can check it out yourself on various websites. We discussed on more than one occasion the Clippers moving from Staples (Crypto.com) in the 2024-25 season. The Clippers new home, Intuit Dome is currently under construction in Inglewood. The billion-dollar arena will feature a number of innovations one being a large number of rest room facilities in the upper portion of the arena and a one-of-a-kind scoreboard. According to information supplied by the Clippers the scoreboard will circle the length of the upper portion of the arena. This from the Clippers, “3,592, the number of 60-inch TVs theoretically needed to create a scoreboard for the Intuit Dome.” 

I hope

Once upon a time I told you a story that could be considered a fairy tale. I informed readers I would cease commenting on Stephen A. Smith statements, the same could apply to Charles Barkley. By now you realize both have often made asinine testimonies throughout their media careers. A co-worker after reading my Friday column came up to me laughing. “Why don’t you leave Stephen A. Smith alone.” I smiled at Keenan’s statement and said, “You are correct.”  I once made a promise to readers you would no longer see Smith’s name (or Barkley’s) in this blog. I reneged on that commitment, so this is an admission we often fail to do what is promised.

In this instance both media people, they have become the embodiment of sports coverage. Those who offer you plenty of opinions however most often reasoning, research and other qualities are often omitted. Despite this observation it’s really okay, their opinions belong to them in the same manner as mine however there is a difference. My thoughts and views on a subject should never be considered the only outlook. Although it might not have been clearly spelled out its always been your choice to read thoughts and views without considering them the only viewpoint. With that said I hope (once again) to omit the firm of Smith & Barkley from any future discussions.

Who did you believe?

The Way too early Top 25 college teams is always of interest to us. Check out the poll by ESPN.com, they place North Carolina at number one. This is not surprising based on Hubert Davis’s team playing for the national championship. In addition, Carolina basketball is just that, they still have the reputation that allows them to attract the top basketball talent in the nation. The surprise for us the Houston Cougars at two, in this instance we must trust ESPN on this ranking. Number 3 is the Kentucky Wildcats, surprise…surprise. John Calipari’s team experienced a good season, but none close to what we generally witness with Wildcat basketball. Another disclosure, we must trust the writer at ESPN.com, Mick Cronin’s UCLA Bruins are in the 4 slot.

In the number 5 position we experience another shocker the Creighton Bluejays, the Omaha school is well known for outstanding basketball. When was the last time a Creighton school was rated this high even in a pre-season poll? Our research took us back to the 1974 season, the Bluejays have always been a Top 25 team. During the regular season they are listed as 7^th in the polls during the 2021 season plus 2020 and 2017. It is possible Gonzaga might not be a 6^th place team at seasons end, their only major loss was Chet Holmgren. Drew Timme decided to return and Chattanooga guard Malachi Smith who scored nearly 20 points a game decided on Gonzaga.  Where are the defending champion Kansas Jayhawks, they are placed in the 10 slot? They lose Ochai Agbaji and possibly Christian Braun two key contributors to last season’s success. Replacements have been added however we cannot expect “plug in and play”. Perhaps by seasons end the newbies will have adjusted to Kansas basketball. In conclusion it would appear we are in for some top-notch college play in the 2022-23 season.