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Basketball from a fans perspective

105

Don’t get me wrong, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is not Kentucky, Gonzaga or any basketball power. They just happen to be on Mizzou’s schedule Tuesday evening, oh the headline! I’m sure Mizzou’s scored 100 points against an opponent I just cannot remember without research. With all the accolades regarding the Tigers there is a concern, sloppy play especially in the second half. There were far too many fouls committed by the Tigers, they must clean that part of their act up. Coach Gates played all 15 players on the roster, as for the scoring guard D’Moi Hodge led the way for the Tigers with 30 points.

Four other Tigers scored in double figures and for the fourth game in a row the team registered 20 or more assists. The shooting was outstanding for the Tigers, 59.7% from the floor and 40.9 from three. SIUE outrebounded Mizzou 35-34 however they were forced into 21 turnovers. How do these four early season wins translate to the tough, tough SEC you might ask? This Mizzou team is a collection of transfers holdovers and new guys, they must learn to play as a blended unit. They will be in for a rough time with most of the SEC teams they will face in the upcoming season, it’s good to be ingrained with a winning mentality based on the scoreboard showing you a winner.

Far too much expected

One outstanding game fails to make a career or even a season. I reported last week Emoni Bates had a monster game for Eastern Michigan when the Eagles played the University of Michigan. As reported earlier Michigan won a tightly contested match 88-83, Bates had an outstanding game shooting 63% from the floor and scoring 30 points. So what occurred in the down year Bates had at Memphis might be the next question? One thing for sure 82-year-old Memphis assistant Larry Brown loved him, he claims “Bates is very coachable.” Re-classifying saw Bates graduate from high school a year early, he was in college as a 17-year-old. Is it possible there was a maturity factor working against him?

Stan Heath Eastern Michigan coach indicates he “never attempted to recruit Bates because he believed it was an impossible task.” On the cover of Sports Illustrated as a 15-year-old and other dynamics were at work and may have impacted Bates emotional stability. Bottom line there is no doubt in my mind maybe far too much was expected from a 17-year-old. One thing for sure Bates has certainly attracted an increased number wanting to see Eastern Michigan basketball. It was said last season the school averaged about 1,600 fans per game, the first two games has witnessed 2,500 and 4,677 fans in attendance. For now we must wait for measurable progress as the Eagles battle in the Mid-American Conference. Perhaps far too much might have been expected early and there is a late maturity factor at work now.

What a weekend

Joel Embiid is stating “I’m the best center in the NBA”, that certainly might be true. His weekend was outstanding check this out. On Saturday against the Hawks Embiid had 42 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. Sunday was even better as he scored 59 points, 11 rebounds. 8 assists, 1 steal and 7 blocked shots. 101 points and 21 rebounds registered in two consecutive games says to all he intends to move to the forefront in the conversation when discussing who is the best center in the NBA. It’s too bad Embiid doesn’t have any help; the Sixers are rolling along at .500 with a 7-7 record. 

Does it really matter?

The ESPN NBA front page contains an account titled, “How the Rockets, Magic or Pelicans (thanks, Lakers) could win the Wembanyama sweepstakes.” The reference is which team has the best opportunity to draft the 7-foot 4-inch youngster. I have the same question as before when Wembanayma talk first began, does it really matter where? The question is posed for several reasons, number one he’s only going to be “forced” to live in the area for 6 months. Wembanayma can live anywhere in the world even France over the next six months or after the NBA season.  Number two commercial endorsements, I’m sure the opportunities are greater in New York City and Los Angeles than anywhere in the nation but consider this. The aura of Patrick Mahomes has allowed the Chiefs quarterback to gain income from a number of commercial ventures.

I’m quite sure you’ve seen him in at least two national commercials, that fails to take into consideration the number of local commercials. I’m sure there are other advantages in being drafted in a specific area of the country, I believe the team that drafts you is actually more important. The climate is the number three factor, the three teams mentioned all have hot in summer to moderate winter temperatures year-round. Rest assured there are other factors I’ve failed to consider these three stand out for me…what do you think? There is a connected story as well. Some in the media are pointing out with the subpar play of the Lakers they could possibly be in line to draft Wembanyama but cannot. Wherever the Lakers land that pick belongs to the Pelicans, in July 2019 they surrendered a number of draft choices including the 2023 pick to secure Anthony Davis. We know what occurred next, the Lakers won the 2020 NBA Championship, for sure they were not thinking this far ahead so the issue is tenuous at best now.