Published Daily  

Basketball from a fans perspective

We talkin’ basketball

I hope you don’t believe hiring that particular college coach entails a lifelong commitment. His name is Dion Sanders and its football, but it doesn’t matter it’s the intent. Sanders is being criticized in some circles because he left Jackson State an HBCU school for the University of Colorado. I’m not going to detail his reasoning simply point to the fact coaches whatever the sport are always seeking greener pastures. That often entails them moving from school to school, often the move is for more prestige or money…sometimes both.

With the retirement of Coach K. and Roy Williams earlier the longest tenure coach is Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, he’s been prowling the sidelines since November 1976 while Greg Kampe at mid-major Oakland has been head coach since 1985, as for a few of the others. Tom Izzo’s been at Michigan State since 1996, Mike Bray, Leonard Hamilton, Scott Drew and Bill Self were all hired in the early 2000’s. Perhaps a number of others might have more extensive time however the spotlight is those remaining at one school. 363 Division I coaches from Bangor Maine to San Diego California, from Seattle Washington to Miami Florida. 

What’s going on

James Harden decided to drop his thoughts on us, the Sixer guard recently said he’d be open to a return to Houston. If you remember he was a member of the Rockets from 2012-2021, the timing of his announcement is more important than anything. The Sixers are fighting for an Eastern Conference championship and Harden is in a discussion with us regarding play for another team. Sure, he’s a free agent at the end of the season but don’t you agree there is a time and place for that discussion.

This type of discussion does not occur in the middle of contending for a playoff berth and perhaps a championship. But wait, there might be more to the reasoning by Hardin. The Rockets are in a position that might allow them to choose Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA draft. Could that also be a partial basis for Hardin discussing his possible move?  I hope no one misunderstands, I believe whole heartly in free agency. Players should have the right to decide which team that want to play for. Despite my belief I continue to maintain the timing for the Hardin announcement is quite unusual. 

It could happen

I am almost always on the side of caution, generally I don’t make bold predictions, and this should not be placed in that category. Some in Mizzou Nation claim Mizzou could earn an NCAA invite in March and guess Joe Lunardi agrees with them. The ESPN Bracketologist includes Mizzou in his early Field of 68. If you said tournament to me last October, I might have asked the question “What’s wrong with you?” Now I’m hesitating but saying yes possibly. As this is written Mizzou has 12 wins with one over number 16 Illinois and the other number 19 Kentucky. These folks claim, “If Mizzou is .500 in SEC play, they could earn an invitation.”

Okay, if that’s what you are stating I’m going to add 9 to the current total which now become 20 wins, that’s not enough in my view to make The Big Dance. Iona and Belmont won 25 games last season, Texas A&M along with Wake Forest were 23 game winners. All four of the schools mentioned missed the NCAA Tournament but were invited to the National Invitation Tournament. Once upon a time winning 20 games was almost an automatic directive to the tourney but no more. Cautious Calvin (me) says Mizzou can earn an invitation to the NCAA tournament but it’s going to take more than a .500 record in the SEC. Most of all it’s going to require Mizzou to continue playing the type of basketball we’ve seen over the last three games. This is a fact; they are not going to sneak up on any opposition team going forward. They must be prepared to play the type of defense/offense we’ve seen thus far.

Conflict

There are occasions I am in conflict with some portion of Laker Nation. I’m sure if you are a member this is known to many of you. There is the belief the method LeBron James arrived he doesn’t belong in the pantheon of Laker greats. I don’t know this to be a fact but consider this the issue, LeBron arrived as a free agent rather than being drafted or acquired in a trade. The other issue might be his impact or what’s occurred since his arrival. The Lakers have won but one championship since he’s come on board and let’s face it, Laker Nation is spoiled. In four years the expectations have been higher than reality. Every time LeBron ventures into areas not connected to basketball the boo birds are quick to pounce on him.

For me the approach has been quite different, I was the single member hoping LeBron “didn’t” sign with the Lakers. Prior to his arrival the Lakers had assembled a potential talented bunch of athletes. They hadn’t won anything, but the future looked bright. Then BAM, LeBron arrives and all that changes. Instead of upward progress playing youngsters a win now mantra was decided. Despite the apparent change in philosophy when healthy I still enjoy seeing LeBron on the court at age 37. The Lakers might not win another championship with him in the lineup however it’s been a good run. Laker Nation has witnessed an exciting talented player in Purple & Gold regardless of championships.