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Basketball from a fans perspective

Say what?

The number of international players on college campuses and in the NBA has increased significantly over time. The names have caused me some difficulty pronouncing them, what did I do, consult the spelling and then phonetically spell the names? Here’s an example the French generational 18-year-old Victor Wembanyama’s last name becomes wind-ben-yama. That should be relatively easy to pronounce for even me. The Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to cause me difficulty till I utilize the tool.

Antetokounmpo spelled phonetically becomes aan-tuth-tuh koom pow, that’s easy, isn’t it? The guy that I first remember having difficulty was former Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki. I don’t know if this tool was around when Nowitzki first arrived in the NBA, so I had to learn it the old fashion way. I had to listen to broadcasters pronounce his name until I became comfortable with it, nuh-vit-skee. There are probably other athletes I might have overlooked however I hope you understand this.

This is where we are

I couldn’t remain awake; it was too late considering work on Tuesday. I speak of the high school game between Sierra Canyon and Christ the King out of New York City. The game had an all-star component at Bronny James (LeBron) playing for Sierra Canyon was facing Kiyan Anthony (Carmelo) who tees it up for Christ the King, Bronny’s team was the winner 62-51. The game was telecast on ESPN as the games of both the fathers had been nationally telecast 20 years earlier.

“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated”

19^th Century humorist and novelist Mark Twain was the author of the headline. He’s reported to have written a letter to a newspaper when reports of his death were supposed to have circulated. Well nothing so drastic occurred with the Clippers Kawhi Leonard however there is a basis for use of the headline. You might remember I’ve written at least two accounts claiming his NBA career might not be over, but his skill set may possibly have lessen due to injury.

Up to the Monday night game he’d only played in 7 of the team’s 28 games. Perhaps he read my reports (or maybe he didn’t), whatever the case he proved me wrong at least for one game. Leonard led the way in the 113-93 victory over the Celtics with 10 for 12 shooting from the floor, included in his total was 9 rebounds and 6 assists. The resurgence by Leonard comes at an appropriate time, the Clippers were playing above .500 but only 15 wins and 13 losses prior to the win on Monday. His play from this point on almost demands we see what unfolds in the future for him.

He's a potential NBA prospect

Allow me to get this out of the way first, this past Saturday KU’s Gradey Dick was not the game’s high scorer. That honor went to Kevin McCullar Jr. leading the way with 21 points. Despite that fact Gradey’s early shooting provided the lead his Jayhawks never relinquished. Mizzou was ahead 4-2 when the Jayhawk freshman began bombing away from distance. Gradey’s game total of 16 points saw him shoot 54% from the floor and 60% from the 3pt line, the downside to his game only shooting 60% from the foul line.

He also contributed 7 rebounds and 5 assists to the victory. Even more interesting the 6-foot 8 guard is a rarity, he’s from Kansas. We can state the vast majority of talent playing at KU is not home grown. Gradey was born in Wichita; he began honing his basketball skill at Sunrise Christian Academy in the city. It should be of note, two NBA mock draft sites place Gradey a first-round draft choice in 2023. If the balance of his freshman season is anything similar to what we’ve seen, you better hurry. The hurry is addressed to Jayhawk Nation because Gradey’s not going to be in Lawrence for his sophomore season.

I’m in a quandary

If you provide me enough evidence, I can agree with your view of a subject. That is the case for Sam Quinn of CBS Sports, he wrote a column for their .com site. “The Lakers still need to trade Russell Westbrook if they plan to contend, despite his recent success” was the title of the account he wrote. Quinn tossed a few roses in the direction of Westbrook with his improved play as a reserve. He then added the stuff not so good which caused me to title my account “I’m in a quandary.” The Lakers dilemma reminds me of the guy who is sawing off the tree limb he’s sitting on.

Sure the limb will come crashing to the ground however the guy sitting on it will come down too. If the improved play of the Lakers is sparked by Westbrook and he gives up defense and offense in other areas is that proof of improved play? I am seeing this from the viewpoint of an informed fan but yet I’m just that a fan. There are areas only the coach and his staff see, in addition the front office of Rod Pelinka also has an issue with the contract. Westbrook has one of the largest contracts in the NBA probably few teams might be willing to absorb based on his play in the recent past. To send Westbrook home is not going to solve the matter either, there needs to be someone to take over.