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Basketball from a fans perspective

Another win

STOP, before you begin reading this report allow me to state the win is important however this is no forecast of future play (or success). Mizzou won its third game in a row Sunday afternoon beating Lindenwood University from St. Charles Missouri. Lindenwood’s made the move this season into Division I basketball, allow me to state again, I’m encouraged but not over the top with Mizzou winning 82-53. It was the manner Mizzou handled Lindenwood that was so encouraging. 

Mizzou forced Lindenwood into 19 turnovers and 26.8% shooting from the floor, in addition they led in rebounds 41 to 33. The opposition point total is on a downward trend from 91 to 85 and finally this game 53 points. Further detail shows Mizzou had 22 assists proving they share the ball. Forward Kobe Brown led Mizzou in scoring with 15 points, 6 assists and 9 rebounds, he was aided by Noah Carter with 14 points. At the beginning of this account I indicated no desire to become overly excited. The non-con portion of the season is nowhere close to the rough road ahead in SEC play so I’m going to chill until Tuesday.

Where is Bronny headed

Bronny James is likely on his way to Ohio State although that’s yet to be officially confirmed. If you are unfamiliar with him, he’s the oldest son of LeBron and Savannah James. Bronny is a 6-foot 3 180-pound point guard and attends Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles. I can admit at one time I had reservations about his ability believing he was getting major publicity due to his famous father. All that’s in the rear-view mirror now, although Bronny is not in anyone’s Top 10, he is recognized as a legitimate prospect based on his number rating. Check out the websites below and how they see Bronny in the Class of 2023. 

ESPN – 34

247Sports – 41

Rivals – 61

On3 - 38

Generational athlete

What’s your definition of a generational athlete, mine is simple? An athlete who changes the game once they arrive in the NBA. We’ve heard the term generational applied to the 18-year-old Victor Wembanyama but he’s yet to prove himself, he’s playing pro ball but not yet in the NBA. We can say in truth some might not have changed the game as much as they influenced how it’s played. Wilt Chamberlain, he could have played in the NBA after high school he was just that good. The NBA was forced to change the lane because of one player…Chamberlain. Next up Lew Alcindor later to become Kareem Abdul Jabbar, he too changed the game. The NCAA banned the dunk shot in the college game because of one player…Abdul Jabbar. They would later discover the sky hook was even more dangerous, few opposition players were able to block it.

His name is Ervin, but we know him as Magic, the NBA had never seen a 6-foot 9-inch point guard and his passing skill it was…well magic. Air Jordan was his nickname Michael was the first name, he was able to will his team to a championship level…yes, he changed the game too. We must look at LeBron James from Akron Ohio, now in year 20 he’s continued an assault on the NBA’s all-time scoring record. He’s about to break the record set by Abdul Jabbar a record many believed would never be eclipsed. Finally this last name is going to create controversy in some circles but I’m naming Steph Curry. It’s my belief he alone is responsible for the concept of small ball, it’s what I like to refer to as an inside-out game. Some might believe the term generational might be misused in this account, generally a generation is considered 20-30 years and some of these profiled played at the same era. This is my list, it’s not necessary for you to agree with it, compose your own list based on your belief.

Call me old fashion

Folks have been gambling on sports since the beginning of time. Now it is legal but that certainly creates a problem for me, there is no requirement to contact 1-800 Bets Off for me. I’m no gambler it’s the other thing that bothers me. I read chats on the Mizzou-Lindenwood game, “They are not going to cover the spread” said one of the people on the chat line. That talk goes to the seamy side of college basketball history. 

The history has seen at least two occasions when gambling made its way into the game and caused questions regarding the outcome. The 1951 season and nine years later 1960 when it shook the college game once again. Am I concerned, of course but there is nothing I can do. Sports wagering of the legal variety has exploded over the last past 2 years. Please don’t consider this a doom and gloom report if you bet games so be it. You might note again the headline and that indeed is my issue, I’m old fashion.

No requirement for civilization to stop

The title might sound a little strange, allow me to explain. I’m on a tangent, once again as a downtown baseball stadium in Kansas City is proposed and I say why? I’ve mentioned basketball arenas (Chase Center San Francisco & Intuit Dome in Inglewood) are complete or under construction without taxpayer funds. Okay you say basketball arenas don’t require near the amount of space nor dollars; I can agree. What about football stadiums such as SoFi (Rams), Gillette (Patriots) and MetLife (Giants & Jets). It’s my understanding these sports palaces were built without public funding. We are in a unique stage in this nation, all though many of us are secure financially a great number of people are suffering.

I’m not talking about the homeless although that too is a problem. There are many who could be given a title the “working” poor. They are employed, they work 5 or 6 days a week on a minimum wage job. By the time rent is paid, a car payment and day care there is very little money remaining for the family. The desire to procure even more from these families and others to build a stadium/arena for a billionaire owner is ridiculous. There is no requirement for civilization to stop just because a stadium or arena is not constructed, my desire is for progress to continue. The advancement must not come at the expense of those at or near the poverty line. We have a homeless issue as well in the nation which must be addressed. I guess I’ve come to a stopping point because sport is the diversion, it’s not going to pay our rent or car payment.