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It is early Wednesday afternoon some 4 hours and 30 minutes before tipoff. The Mizzou Tigers will face John Calipari and his Kentucky Wildcats at Mizzou Arena. I don’t know who wins the game but I’m hoping it’s the Tigers. A brief glimpse of the game follows for your reading pleasure or displeasure it all depends. It’s now about 8:25 p.m. Central Time, the Tigers have beaten number 19 Kentucky 89-75. Believe me when I say the score was not as close as the 14 points might indicate. As I figured Oscar Tshiebwe would lead the way for Kentucky scoring 23 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. The Tigers received another 30-point scoring game from Kobe Brown, but he had plenty of help in this win. D’Moi Hodge contributed 15 points to the total and others made their contribution with timely steals or shots.

It figures Kentucky with its much taller lineup would outrebound the Tigers and they managed to do that; this would be the only area they would surpass Mizzou. The Tigers shot 49.1% from the floor 40% from the 3pt line. They led Kentucky in steals and assists, also in a surprise they had 4 block shots to Kentucky’s 1. Mizzou forced Kentucky into 14 TO’s while they only had 8, I almost skipped over this one. Mizzou shot better from the free throw line 82% to 62%. I believe the question on Mizzou’s “soft-schedule” is now at rest. Victorious over then number 16 Illinois and beating number 19 Kentucky I believe the message is now clear…no more talk about the non-conference schedule. Mizzou now has 12 wins versus 1 loss and is 1-0 in the SEC. Mizzou is off until next Wednesday as they journey to Fayetteville to face number 9 Arkansas.

“The best laid plans”

Are you aware of the adage, “The best laid plans of mice and men.” It simply states no matter how carefully you plan something it doesn’t always work out, that would be yours truly. On Tuesday evening I discovered the Mavs and Knicks were available on NBA-TV. I decided to watch the game but halfway through I had to complete Off the Dribble, so I changed channels and missed history. I discovered after the game was completed; I’d missed a historic night in the association. The Knicks had a 9-point lead with under two minutes, despite that fact the Mavs were winners in OT. Luka the Don had a historic game, something the NBA had never experienced 126-121 was the final score but Luka, what can I say?

A triple double in an OT game but the numbers, 60 points 21 rebounds and 10 assists in 47 minutes. 21 rebounds for a 6-foot 7-inch athlete is amazing in itself. This was not a case of Doncic just tossing up shot after shot, he only took 31 of them but scored on 21. It wasn’t a 3pt barrage either he only took 6 sinking 2 of them. He would shoot 67.7% from the floor with only 33% of it coming from three. Consider this fact, in the 47 minutes of play Doncic only had 4 TO’s. A 50-point 20 rebound triple-double game shows only two others in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain accomplished the feat twice, Elgin Baylor and now Doncic. All this action occurred on an evening a statue of Dirk Nowitzki was unveiled outside American Airlines Center. It might be possible one day to see an image of Luka Doncic as well.

I see both sides of this issue

What you are about to read is based on my reading but also my observation of the issue. I’ve written a few paragraphs on Scoot Henderson who will be the number 2 (or 1) NBA draft pick in 2023. Jonathan Givony ESPN writer discusses the G-League Elite wunderkind and speculates whether he ever plays again. Henderson has not played since November 18; he’s been sidelined with a fractured nose and concussion protocol. The calendar is about to change over to 2023 and Henderson has yet to return to action. What goes, does he shut it down or continue to play. I’m on both sides of the issue, the pro is simple.

The 6-foot 2 combo guard continues to play and enhance his game that much more. Continued play can only make him a better player right…yes kinda? The con is very simple, Henderson returns to action and suffers a devastating injury which seriously impacts his NBA future. What to do, what should Henderson’s future action become? As I stated early, I’m able to see both sides of this pro-con discussion. Whatever Henderson decides to do I’m okay, as an example let’s look at past drafts. A number of projected lottery players played through the college season or the NCAA Tournament. As soon as play ended, they shut it down, most didn’t bother to even work out for NBA teams. With assurances of being lottery picks they decided to not risk injury, only players on the periphery must really work out for teams.

They are playing better

I’m going to write this for now and make this statement. It “appears” the drama might be over at Barclays Center…the Nets are playing much better basketball. As this is written they just beat the Cavs 125 to 117 giving them 22 wins for the season. Currently they are in third place in the Eastern Conference, only behind the Celtics and Bucks but ahead of the Sixers and Cavs. I like Steve Nash the player, there were questions about Steve Nash the coach for me.

In any event Jacque Vaughn appears to have stabilized the ship, it’s no longer sinking as it was just a few weeks ago. Kevin Durant short of injury was always there, Kyrie Irving was a different matter but even anything connected with him is strictly basketball. The win against the Cavs was number 9 in a row for the Nets. Point guard Ben Simmons has been moved into the lineup and is making progress toward that player some of us believed he was capable. I remain unsure if this Nets team has enough depth to win an NBA championship.