Basketball from a fans perspective

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What?

"I'm just trying to compete" was the word from point guard Russell Westbrook, “I’ve been doing that same ritual since I’ve been in the lead.” He’s speaking on why he failed to join the huddle called by Patrick Beverley in a recent game. Sounds eerily like a statement we often heard from former NFL player Marshawn Lynch. Westbrook is playing with the second unit in the Lakers final exhibition game. Is this “punishment” for his actions or something else the basis for this latest move. I cannot (maybe you too) figure out Westbrook and his role with the Lakers, I’ve gone from warm too hot to cold regarding his status as to whether he remains a Laker for the immediate future.

Darvin Ham knows what he is doing however I’d like to offer him this advice. Should Westbrook remain with the Lakers he should be a regular with the second team. This could be a re-birth for him if he decides to accept the role, if that is not the case …well this could be the end of his NBA career. Based on money owed him Westbrook should be financially secure even without basketball. In other Laker news Matt Ryan earns a roster spot…no, not the NFL Colts quarterback! This Ryan is a 6-foot 7 215 pound forward, he played his college ball at Chattanooga and went undrafted in 2022. Ryan was signed by the Celtics and divided his time with their G-League team. The Lakers signed this 25-year-old as a 3-point sharpshooter to add additional assistance in that area as a reserve player.    

They did it, can they is the question?

This account is an off the court basketball story rather than one involving the athletes, it is season tickets related. An attorney a Knicks season ticket holder since 1967 is suing MSG Entertainment. He claims he and 60 attorneys in his firm have been banned from Knick games and other entertainment events at Madison Square Garden. How did this conundrum occur you might ask? His firm is the lead group representing ticket resellers who filed a lawsuit against MSG

The lawsuit involves violation of New York’s Art and Cultural Affairs Law. It should be noted MSG indicates this is not a permanent ban, it was instituted this past June. Any group with litigation pending is barred from attending events at the arena until a settlement is completed. I informed you my legal expertise consists of Business Law 101 and 102. I wonder if this is legal, this is not likely to occur, but could this drag on for months in the court or perhaps one or more years.

Superstar

Television often doesn’t do them justice, at least that’s my view. With the NBA no longer scheduling exhibition games fans in Kansas City we are reduced to viewing the games strictly on television. Last November I had a rare opportunity to see an NBA game in person. I visited Dallas and was able to see Luka Doncic in action. Before I go further into this discussion allow me to state the Mavs lost their game against the Wizards 120-114. Doncic would lead the way for the Mavs scoring 33 points with 13 for 25 shooting (52%) from the floor, it was more the leadership exhibited by the 6-foot 7-inch point forward.

It’s my view alone but Doncic drafted number three in 2018 has reached superstar status. Some of you might disagree with my assessment but that’s okay. Doncic finished the regular season scoring 28.4 points along with 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists. He would lead the way upsetting the Suns 4 games to 3 in the Conference Semi-Finals bumping his scoring average up to 32.6 points. The Mavs would come up short against the eventual NBA champion Warriors once again Doncic led the way scoring 30 points a game. It should also be noted in addition to the scoring there were vital rebounds and assists as well. Is he there, is Luka a superstar is the question. After seeing him in action in person that’s my view, what do you think?

What’s most important you think?

We read accounts indicating coaches and their staffs begin soft recruiting while kids are in middle school. There is a report claiming Bobby Knight gave a scholarship once to an 8^th grade student. There is an issue which I’d like you to consider. What do you consider most important, a school’s program or the coach? Is the 5-star prospect attracted to Kentucky or Kansas basketball or is it John Calipari or Bill Self the decider?

As for Calipari he can usually be spotted at the NBA draft, the same for Self. Does that suggest they have a pipeline to athletes with NBA futures? We could make the same statement about recently retired coaches at Duke and North Carolina. The schools mentioned are consider Blue Blood programs but what about Bowling Green or Missouri State and their efforts to recruit? Are those coaches forced to work harder to recruit talent over a Calipari or Coach K.? We have no method to prove this hypothesis, so you become the decider.

Bits n Pieces   

The term rarified air might best describe Denver, it lies a mile high…5,279 feet to be exact, I wasn’t sure without a check. Of the other NBA city’s only Salt Lake City is close but it’s nearly 1,000 feet less in altitude. Why the focus, it’s one of the Western Conference teams that we might have overlooked. The league’s MVP Nikola Jokic returns however it’s more, Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray who missed large portions of the season due to injury also return. This trio playing at a high skill level could make the Nuggets prime contenders for the Western Conference championship.

Speaking of Wembanyama, why must we make a Chet Holmgren comparison? Stephen A. Smith did it and so did several others. They are speaking to the fact the youngster from Gonzaga is injured and is forced to miss his rookie season. I’m calling all of them out including Smith for one simple reason…why? These are two completely different players, even their skill set is different. As for the weight issue Holmgren is reported to be 195 pounds, Wembanyama’s number varies based on who you read. I’ve seen a minimum of 210 pounds up to a reported 230, I’m certainly not claiming he’s stronger than Holmgren, but he might not be quite as frail. In closing please stop, allow Wembanyama and Holmgren on the court first prior to evaluating their durability.

In other news of 7-foot 5-inch basketball players we visit with Jamarion Sharp. I thought the Western Kentucky center might be headed to Mizzou as he debated switching schools. Ultimately the nation’s leading shot blocker (4.62 BPG) decided to remain at WKU, despite my disappointment I’m okay with his decision. At this point I’m unsure if the NBA is in his future, Sharp has limited shooting skills although he’s a good rebounder and excellent shot blocker. With the overabundance of college games available on all the networks I’m sure I will be able to see Sharp in action at some time during the upcoming season.