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Basketball from a fans perspective

The bank is open

How would Mizzou play after being thumped last week against KU? Playing UCF in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic the question would remained unanswered until the game clock read 0.00. UCF came into the game with 8 wins and 2 losses, but I was unsure who they might have played. Johnny Dawkins always turns out a competitive team so Mizzou would be in for a fight and they were. Mizzou shot well from the field and 3pt line, but it seemed an uphill battle all the way.

UCF got off to a 10-0 start and I thought “KU hangover” although that did not prove to be the case. As usual Mizzou received scoring contributions from the team with D’Moi Hodge, Nick Honor and DeAndre Gholston. Gholston would hit a desperation 3pt bank shot from the logo with 2 seconds remaining, the final score would read Mizzou 68 UCF 66. I can make this statement without hesitation, last year’s Mizzou team would have lost this game, there is no doubt in my mind. It aids the cause tremendously having veteran leadership on this team, Mizzou with its 10-1 record prepares for the  annual Braggin’ Rights game against a very tough Illinois team on December 22.

This is difficult to determine

Writers and studio analysts (not the coaching staff) inform us Russell Westbrook needs to be traded. I become confused, I’m just a rabid fan, I am not privy to timeout discussions in the huddle. In addition I don’t read body language, all I can say is the mercurial guard has adapted. Westbrook’s adjusted to his role as a reserve. On Friday it wasn’t his play alone allowing the Lakers a win over the Nuggets 126-108 it was the other things. Anthony Davis tweaked his ankle and missed the second half of the game. Who shows up, it was Westbrook with a triple-double…off the bench!

He would score 15 points, snatched down 11 rebounds and dish out 12 assists, my question his defense. Westbrook’s never been a great defender throughout his NBA career, for the most part he uses his athletic ability. Defense is an area sometimes difficult to verify on television unless the camera focuses on one or more plays. Oh, by the way with no AD LeBron led the way in scoring with 30 points. This guy is about to turn 38 years of age December 30, he sure doesn’t play in that manner. With no AD Thomas Bryant came off the bench as well scoring 21 points pulling down 6 rebounds. The Lakers are now four games below .500 are they rolling now?

I don’t remember this Hero

Tyler Hero has been on my radar since his NBA arrival. Prior to that I couldn’t remember where he played his college basketball. I was a little surprised when it was discovered he’d played a season at Kentucky. Because the school produces a large number of NBA talent, I attempt to discover who is there. In the instance of Hero I just don’t remember him. I re-read the analysis for the 2019 draft and honestly nothing grabbed my attention.

Last season Hero was a hero as he was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year. The 2022-23 season places him in the starting lineup for the Heat. It should also be of note several scouting reports awarded Hero 4-stars which proves potential talent is not always easy to spot. In any event the Heat expect this hero to continue playing at the role he’s exhibited thus far this season. Against the Rockets Hero registered a career high in points with 41 with 10 coming from the 3pt line. The Heat haven’t played well so far but it has nothing to do with this performer.

The game that changed it all 

Most evenings during the college basketball season you turn on your television and search for a college basketball game to watch. It might not be the same network, it could be one of the ESPN family of channels, it might be Fox Sports 1 or CBS Sports Network. On the other hand you could tune into any of the Bally Sports channels. The large number of games have not always been available for your viewing pleasure. Once upon a time college basketball coverage was restricted to a Saturday afternoon game on one of the broadcast networks that was it. Imagine this the NCAA Tournament was not available anywhere close to what we see today. We can point to one game that might be considered the beginning although it was prior to cable.

It was announced as the Game of the Century, UCLA led by Lew Alcindor would face the University of Houston and Elvin Hayes. Not only would the number one and two teams in the nation face one another in the 51,000 seat Astrodome another first would occur. The game was telecast coast to coast by a patchwork of stations across the nation, the date was January 20, 1968. Lew Alcindor had sustained a scratched cornea and all week there was a question if he'd even play. The Houston Cougars managed to beat UCLA 71-69 thanks in part to the 39-point effort by Elvin Hayes. The game proved there could be a national audience for a college basketball game. We could venture a guess few either seeing the game on television or in person realized the significance. College basketball was first televised in 1940 so the game wasn’t new however the format was…a nationally televised game.

The others

Name changes are in full effect in the NBA, we’ve covered the Rookie of the Year being titled the Wilt Chamberlain Rookie of the Year award. It’s listed below along with several other changes: 

NBA All Star MVP-Kobe Bryant

Rookie of the Year-Wilt Chamberlain

NBA MVP award-Michael Jordan 

Defensive Player of the Year-Hakeem Olajuwon 

Sixth Man of the Year-John Havlicek  

Most Improved Player-George Mikan

Clutch Player of the Year (new)-Jerry West