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Basketball from a fans perspective

The explanation

Even the so-called experts err from time to time, I’m not in that category I’m just a fan. Despite the fact some two weeks later I’m still being asked “What happened to Mizzou” or “How could you not pick Kansas to win?” A brief explanation on my part, despite the fact of a soft non-con schedule headed into the game with KU the Tigers had produced outstanding numbers. In the prior 10 games they shot above 50% from the floor and from the 3pt line it had been well over 40%. In addition their assist, steals and opposition TO’s were outstanding.

The only negative was Mizzou being on the smallish side, no Big Men in their lineup for rebounds and putbacks. The Mizzou lineup in the KU game and the one used in the thrilling victory over Illinois was heavy with seniors and graduate transfers. This veteran presence worked well against a youthful Illinois team not so well against KU. In the end if you check my account prior to the game, I believe I stated Mizzou would win a close one. The unexpected, KU played much better than I anticipated, and Mizzou failed to play at the level I believed they were capable of. Since that loss Mizzou has wins over UCF and Illinois, I don’t have any idea what occurs on Wednesday. I hope it’s a win, but Kentucky is tough but so was UCF and Illinois.

They are missing

Christmas morning I read Steph Curry will be missing from the Warriors for two more weeks. The latest report from the Lakers indicates Anthony Davis will be missing in the same timeframe. The Warriors and Lakers are hurting without these players in their lineup. Question is one team suffering more than the other? Curry is the key to much of the success the Warriors have experienced over the last several years. As for AD it’s a slightly different record, just check this out.

The Lakers had gotten off to a terrible start however there was hope. AD rose to play as a man possessed and they began to move upward in the standings and then the injury. I offer you no specifics on the why but come to this conclusion. The Warriors missing Curry have suffered more than the Lakers. What do you think, did I miss the point I was attempting? In the Pacific Division Christmas Day finds the Warriors at 15 up and 18 down, the Lakers 13 and 19. Both teams are at the bottom of the division looking up at everyone else.

Does he remain coaching

It’s clear by now the Spurs are in rebuild mode, the question does Coach Pop remain in place. Gregg Popovich is 73 years old; he’s been coaching the Spurs since 1996. He’s the longest tenure coach in the NBA and has been for a period of time. Pop’s done it all, five-time NBA champion, that represents one of the many accomplishments of this Hall of Fame coach. Okay, I know he’s not been enshrined yet however induction will occur as soon as he’s eligible. Pop represents one of a number, those guys who could have quit coaching years ago. They continue in the role due to their love of the game and I expect one day he’ll call it quits.

This is the part I found most interesting on Pop’s resume, he’s a loser. Before you begin tossing rocks in my direction allow a brief explanation. At Division III Pomona-Pitzer his teams were winners 76 times, but they lost 129 games. In eight years at the school Pop had only two winning seasons. After a time as an assistant coach for the Warriors he returned to the Spurs as general manager and vice president of basketball operations in 1994. After the Spurs started 3-15 in the 1996-97 season, he fired Bob Hill and named himself head coach. The balance of this history continues to be written in 2022 extending into 2023. The question is posed again, does coach Pop remain in place rebuilding this Spurs team?

Prep school

KU’s Gradey Dick has clearly become a leader for his team in his freshman year. The 6-foot 8 shooting guards 16.8 point per game scoring might not detail his prowess. I attribute part of it for this Rivals 5-star prospect playing in Bill Self’s offense, the impressive part of his game is his shooting. As this is written Dick is 50.4% from the floor and 49.2% from 3pt. Dick arrived at KU from Sunrise Christian Academy in metro Wichita. We first became aware of the school with the first prolific shooter Buddy Hield.

Hield went on to the University of Oklahoma and into the NBA. There are other talented players the school’s produced, but we might question how did it start? The school was begun in 1983 by Dr. Robert Lindsted as a grade school with emphasis on excellence and biblical teaching. That first year consisted of one teacher and six students, over time it’s now 500 students on an 18-acre campus. Once the high school program was begun competitive basketball was added. I am unsure when the decision was made to play a national schedule. Once that decision was made Sunrise had to begin recruiting on a national and international basis.