Basketball from a fans perspective

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Are we led to believe there is smoke somewhere?

Several reading this might not be familiar with the saying, “Where there’s smoke there is fire.” In lay terms it simply states if you suspect something it might be true. That is the case for Bill Self and Kansas basketball, allow a further explanation. Mr. College Basketball Dick Vitale says enough is enough, he claims if the NCAA cannot (or will not) charge the basketball team with any wrongdoing they should drop the charges. Strange as it might seem this Mizzou fan agrees with Dickey V. with the following exceptions. The NCAA originally charged Kansas basketball with five (5) level one violations five being the most serious.

Yet in nearly four years the NCAA has done absolutely nothing which says is there really anything of substance? On the other hand, this is the bother to many, and you will read and hear it in some circles. “The NCAA loves to punish the many Podunk Universities throughout the nation but won’t dare touch blue blood basketball programs like Kentucky, Kansas, Duke and North Carolina.” I make this statement with tentative reservations and state I must agree with Vitale, the NCAA has proven nothing they should drop the case. If they have evidence of wrongdoing to present to Self, Kansas basketball and college basketball fans across the nation they need to produce it.

How to determine

There are many examples to factors for us to determine if a player has made it in the NBA. Being drafted certainly must be at the top of the list but even that can be somewhat misleading depending on the circumstances. As an example, Austin Reaves of the Lakers and Fred VanVleet Raptors guard were not drafted yet earned roster positions, that can determine you’ve made it as well. There are likely other examples overlooked but there is a single key in my view.

A signature shoe might be a determining factor, after all of the 400+ NBA players every season very few have their own shoe. For me, a shoe determines you've made it, Air Jordan, LeBron 19, KD 14 plus Kobe’s and numerous others are examples. It would be difficult to finalize the total however the number of signature shoes is nowhere near 400. We now have another signature shoe on the market, the Jordan Luka 1 has been introduced. Yes, number 77 Luka Doncic of the Mavs now has his own shoe.

Serbia in da house

I didn’t realize 35 players from Serbia have been drafted by NBA teams. The 2022 draft was no different except the one player chosen, his name sounds similar to that of Nikola Jokic a.k.a. “The Joker.” NBA fans are very familiar with Jokic who’s been an integral part of Nuggets success. “The Joker” as he’s nicknamed has won two NBA MVP’s in a row. There are a number of Serbians in the NBA but this one’s name is really close to that of Jokic.

The June draft saw the Miami Heat select Nikola Jovic as the 27^th pick in the first round. Jokic is a skillful passer and 3-point threat, as for fellow countryman Jovic he stands 6 foot 10 223 pounds and plays the small forward position. What is most interesting Jokic was born in Sombor, in the northwest section of this eastern European nation. As for Jovic technically we could claim he’s British however that is not the case. Although he was born in Leicester England, he grew up in Serbia. Jovic’s father was playing basketball at the time and the youngster was born in 2003.   

The Lakers

This is written before or after Russell Westbrook, he could be history by the time you read this. On the other hand, he could still be a Laker (which is the case) by the time you read this. We could make the same statement about Kyrie Irving he might be or maybe not. Both might represent the short-term outlook but unlike some in Laker Nation I’m looking ahead. So far ahead LeBron James might be retired and is presently the owner of the Las Vegas NBA franchise. Well maybe not quite that far but if we look at the team on July 6 it is quite interesting. The Lakers have gone from a dinosaur team to a more youthful version.

Of all the roster additions to date Juan Toscano-Anderson picked up from the Warriors is the oldest at an “elderly” 29 years of age. With a youth plan in full effect will the Lakers be a factor in the Western Conference race. This answer, it depends on a number of factors which cannot be detailed in this short space. It’s my belief the Lakers are a “tweener” team at this point, they are light years younger than last season but also have a veteran presence with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and others. This will be Darvin Ham’s team win or lose, I prefer to accentuate the positive with the emphasis on wins. Barring major injuries this Laker team will compete, they will earn a playoff berth. There is no method at this point to assess beyond a playoff berth.

That was the future, as for the present Russell Westbrook remains a Laker, this despite the apparent effort to trade him. What should occur if the Lakers are “forced” to play him in the upcoming season? New coach Darvin Ham claims at least to the media “He’s pleased having Westbrook on his team.” This story contains a bunch of moving parts and the one most enticing is the following. Did you realize the trio of LeBron, AD and Westbrook played a grand total of 21 games last season? This is certainly no excuse for the poor shooting of Westbrook, but he was forced by default to be the focal point of the Laker offense.