Basketball from a fans perspective

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He returns

The Lakers announced Dennis Schroder was re-signed to a one-year contract. This move I consider quite strange if you remember the history. I applauded the Lakers when they traded for Schroder after the 2020-21 NBA season had begun. Although Schroder didn’t arrive from the Thunder that’s what my thoughts were on hearing his acquisition. A fast speedy combo guard who I believed at the time would return the team to the top. The numbers Schroder exhibited that season were not spectacular but steady yet there was a problem. LeBron James dominates the ball; Schroder needed the ball to effectively operate something that existed at his other NBA stops.

I remember the Lakers offered him a contract although the $$ figure escapes me. Several in the media believed Schroder had overpriced his value to the Lakers and that’s exactly what occurred. The Lakers preferred to look elsewhere for help and in the off season traded for Russell Westbrook. Free agent Schroder was not re-signed and in late summer signed with the Celtics. We in Laker Nation have questions as to why the Lakers believed they needed Schroder. This is another move I intend to monitor as the season progresses. Is this the “nail in the coffin” for Russell Westbrook and his time with the Lakers? As this account was being completed, I ran across another bit of information. Schroder indicates he could have signed with the Suns or Raptors but chose instead the Lakers.

We return again

I briefly discussed the changes the Jazz have undergone since the end of the season. I believe I pointed out the “new sheriff” in town Danny Ainge desired his own team. Late 2021 Ainge returned to Utah where he played collegiately to head the Jazz team. Rumors were circulating Jazz coach Quin Snyder would be replaced or fired, turns out there was a resignation after the season. All Star center Rudy Gobert was then traded to the Wolves, after hearing all possible destinations in his future another All Star Donovan Mitchell was also traded. Mitchell was traded to the Cavs. Last week Ainge went on record indicating “he didn’t believe the chemistry of the team” or similar words looked good to him.

I’m revisiting this because from Cleveland Mitchell is disputing the Ainge story. He didn’t blast Ainge but indicated he and other Jazz players were a cohesive bunch. The question becomes who we believe front office man Ainge or traded player Mitchell. My belief is simple, I think Ainge took over a Jazz team he wanted to re-mold in his image. He should be able to do that now, with the exception of two key players this is a new Jazz team. A month or so prior to training camp we are hearing these remaining two mentioned in trade rumors, they might not be in place opening night. Coach Snyder wasn’t his man, apparently neither was Gobert or Mitchell. A gigantic question mark hovers over the Jazz with 34-year-old head coach Will Hardy in place.

For you to decide

I wrote “Once upon a time if you mentioned SEC sports your thoughts travel immediately to football. I stated my belief that view is no longer relevant.” ESPN and others provide us a list of what it considers the ‘Way-too-early Top 25 college basketball teams.’ Naturally, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and others are included however SEC basketball is well represented. They have the Kentucky Wildcats listed in the third slot; Arkansas is ranked 9^th followed by Tennessee at 12. Those are not the only SEC teams however it details for us how competitive this once thought of football conference only has traveled with its basketball over the last several years.

We finished with Auburn at 13 and Alabama ranked 20 in their poll. Some of you reading this might say “That’s only five schools, what does that prove?” My response to them is quite simple, it doesn’t prove anything except the conference is no longer just Kentucky. We could make an argument for the Big XII however with the exception of Baylor is heavily weighted in favor of Kansas. In truth we can state John Calipari at Kentucky has competition within the conference. Except for an occasional bump in the road can we make a similar statement regarding the Big XII? The true test might be the title of that 1983 Elton John hit tune ‘I’m Still Standing.’ In this instance we are discussing the culmination of the NCAA Tournament…who is there at the end of the season.

Speaking of the Lakers

If you’ve read this blog for any length of time you are aware of this fact. I expressed my objection to the HBO production Winning Time, The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty telecast last spring. I read they have begun filming season two of this series but that’s not the story here. The story, many of the Lakers profiled in the HBO series journeyed to Maui Hawaii recently, in the Showtime era that was the location for their training camp.

Even more interesting to me former coach Pat Riley now president of the Heat was there as well. A team photo was taken however I have no permission to include it here, it is available online if you want to see the gathering. Finally, was it all love and happiness back then…of course not we had human beings in the equation. Doesn’t matter what is telecast in season two it will probably be written in this manner, 50% of the actual events as they occurred and 50% for dramatic purposes. I prefer the real thing, the Hulu streaming service production, Legacy The True Story of the LA Lakers.

Big Men

Despite what is believed there remains space for a quality Big Man. Yes, I’m bold enough to make the statement, regardless of small ball quality play at the center position is still desired. Who are some of the best out there, well the best might be Victor Wembanyama. He’s not enrolled in college however no argument the 7-foot 5-inch youngster is the best Big Man for the 2022-23 season. As for the others they are enrolled in college, some have demonstrated their skill earlier, some I believe will become noteworthy in this season. Who are they, the list contains those I believe are most visible:

Zach Edey Purdue 7-foot 5 295 pounds Purdue

Jamarion Sharp 7-foot 5 235 pounds Western Kentucky

Hunter Dickinson 7-foot 1 260 pounds Michigan

Dereck Lively II 7-foot 2 235 pounds Duke

Kel’el Ware 6-foot 11 210 pounds Oregon

JP Estrella 6-foot 11 210 pounds Tennessee

The latter three have yet to play their first collegiate game, they are included based on the talent displayed in high school and projections by coaches. One, two are all three could miss the mark, I will make a note to check their progress March 1. By that date this trio should have acclimated themselves to collegiate play.