Basketball from a fans perspective

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What about Zeke?

Isiah (Zeke) Thomas was one of the best point guards in the history of the NBA, since his playing days ended his post NBA career has seen a number of moves. Thomas was a head coach for the Pacers, Knicks and Florida International University. There were front office positions for the Raptors and Knicks, but the promise of ownership with the Pistons never materialized. For a time, Thomas’s been visible as an analyst on NBA TV and that might be the problem in our view. No hint of an NBA job and his hatred of the Lakers going back to his playing days.

Thomas made news with his take on the future of the Lakers, we in Laker Nation require no reminder how bad the team played last season. With the recent draft and free agent signing the team is attempting a makeover. We have no idea if these moves (plus any in the future) will allow them to experience an improved 2022-23 season. This part we know and are quite sure, Thomas remains bitter anytime the Lakers are mentioned in conversation. He will not admit his disdain toward the Lakers publicly, but it is clearly there. As for the upcoming NBA season we realize Western Conference teams have improved with the draft and free agency, the defending champion Warriors plus changes by the Wolves and others.

This from Thomas when asked about the upcoming season. “There’s no easy games in the Western Conference…If you’re looking at an easy game, maybe the Lakers.” Thomas is certainly entitled to his own opinion however his statement is a little off base in the view of Laker Nation. We question whether Thomas checked the previous season record before uttering his statement, there were four teams that finished behind the Lakers in win totals. All four teams including the Lakers could experience improved play in the upcoming season. Despite this fact we cannot foresee an easy game in the NBA unless we are describing team play at the end of a long road trip. This member of Laker Nation no longer cares what Zeke Thomas has to say about anyone or anything connected to the NBA.

He's got much to prove

Chet Holmgren has been in the national spotlight for at least two seasons. He first came to our attention as a high school senior at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. Truth is most of us tuned into his first nationally telecast game on ESPN to see him face phenom Emoni Bates. We saw the skinny 7-footer outshoot and plain outperform the highly touted Bates. Once the two began college play Holmgren at Gonzaga and Bates at Memphis the fortunes of Holmgren accelerated further ahead of Bates. It didn’t help Bates would later be injured and miss considerable time. Fast forward, Holmgren declared for the NBA draft while Bates didn’t qualify due to his age.

The Thunder have chosen The Thin Man with the second pick in the draft. Despite this position there are probably more questions about Holmgren over any other prospect. 7-feet tall but a thin 195 pounds says Holmgren could be pushed around on the court. One fan compared him to Shawn Bradley, for those unfamiliar with the name allow a brief explanation. Bradley stood 7 foot 6 inches was the number two pick in the 1993 draft. Despite his height and 275 pounds he never reached the level expected, he retired after playing in the NBA for 12 years. Holmgren had a 3-point shot in college, a slight adjustment to the NBA range might not be too much to manage. The key, Holmgren’s cannot allow himself to be intimidated whether in the paint or perimeter. Holmgren’s name was called by commissioner Silver as the second choice by the Thunder, there are only two questions. What is his draft position, and can he adjust to the rough and tumble play of the NBA?

It was no giant leap

To borrow from Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong this was No Giant Leap for Mankind however it was noteworthy. We saw Warrior center James Wiseman in action Sunday evening versus the Spurs. The Big Man had been missing in action it seems like forever with various injuries slowing his progress and adjustment to the NBA. Wiseman drafted in 2020 with the second pick has seen limited action (39 games) during his brief NBA career.

The 7-foot center looked rusty, and he admitted as much after the game but there was promise shown. Okay this is Summer League, but it was meaningful action for the youngster his first in quite a while. Wiseman scored but 11 points in 19 minutes however the stat sheet looked good. Along with the points was a 3-point basket along with 2 blocked shots and 2 rebounds. This is not a second coming of anything just a promise of improved play as he adjusts to the NBA, in addition avoiding the injury bug that’s plagued him throughout his brief play to date.

Our only ability of measure

We’ve discussed in the past there is no one thing to measure talent or the ability of an athlete. Doesn’t matter the sport, in this instance we are discussing basketball and Mizzou recruiting. Dennis Gates and staff are looking ahead, we realize the 2022-23 season must be played first however it’s the Class of 2023 in focus. 4-star Rivals prospect Trent Pierce a 6-foot 6-inch 185-pound wing from Tulsa verbally committed to Mizzou on Tuesday.

Earlier 6-foot 2 150-pound point guard Anthony Robinson II from Tallahassee Florida verbally committed too, he’s a 3-star Rivals prospect in the Class of 2023. Two considerations, these are verbal, and each youngster will have plenty of time to reflect on their decision. It’s possible one or both could change their mind although the hope in Mizzou Nation they remain committed. The second is Rivals awarding stars as an assessment of talent. We have no method to determine the degree of talent except in this manner, it’s our only ability of measure.