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Basketball from a fans perspective

Where does he stand

The 55-point outburst by the Lakers Anthony Davis against the Wizards last Sunday evening made for a question on my part. I was aware this scoring number was nowhere near the top score ever by a Laker, the single game scoring record belongs to the late Kobe Bryant. Bryant scored 81 points in a game against the Raptors on January 22, 2006, he’d broken the 71-point record Elgin Baylor registered November 15, 1960.

Over time the Lakers have fielded a number of prolific scorers, Baylor, Chamberlain, West and Kobe and others have recorded astronomical games. As for Kobe’s 81 point game I was a League Pass subscriber and witnessed that game as it was being played. AD’s 55 points place him in a tie with Bryant (3/28/2003) and Elgin Baylor (2/25/1959). As for current Lakers AD finishes one point (56) behind teammate LeBron James who established his high game on March 5, 2022. Two present day Lakers (LeBron & Davis) have their scoring numbers in the Lakers archives.

Purdue Big Man

I have mentioned on more than one occasion traditional Big Man play no longer exists, young men haven’t suddenly stopped growing.  We have noted the traditional back to the basket play of centers has disappeared. Once again, I know the culprit for the change in the game, the culprit…it’s Steph Curry. You know the old saying, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery;” you’ve probably heard that old adage. Many of us might recognize what’s occurred, the Warriors with Curry shooting have been very successful in the recent past. Hold on a moment, there are a few college players who are playing Big Man basketball.

One of these Big Men is playing at Purdue University and his name is Zach Edey. Edey is really a Big Man standing 7-foot 4-inches and 290-pounds and guess what, unlike many of the Big Men today he’s got no 3pt shot. I would ask the question again, if he's got no 3pt shot is that a bad thing? From what I am able to determine the knock on Edey is his speed, scouts indicate he might be a bit slow for the NBA game. As for his shot the evaluation is good on that aspect of his game, he’s even got a hook shot. I could ask this additional question, if Edey is drafted in the second round is that a bad thing? Better yet he winds up with an NBA team in the same manner of the Lakers Austin Reaves as a free agent. His earlier background, Edey played at IMG Academy but is from Toronto Canada.

I believe Chamberlain could have played in any era

Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain retired in 1973, in 1999 he died at the age of 63. It’s my belief many 21^st Century fans tend to believe The Big Dipper as he was nicknamed was not all that. Despite the mind-boggling numbers in points, rebounds and other stuff critics point toward the time he played. This is a reminder once again outstanding NBA play did not begin with Michael Jordan and his Bulls. At the time Chamberlain was drafted in 1959 the NBA contained only 8 teams including his Philadelphia Warriors. By the time he retired at the end of the 1972-73 season the NBA consisted of 17 teams, a far smaller number than today’s 30 team NBA. I tend to look at this in a different manner, I contend the NBA of today might be “watered down” to a degree.

Although it’s my belief the best conditioned athletes are those of today let’s explore a concept. Even in his rookie year with only 7 other teams most had good centers besides Bill Russell. Offense in that day was nothing like today, the game was outside-in rather than inside-out. Is it possible with an expanded NBA we have a greater number of paychecks issued but the talent overall is not what it was back then? That’s only speculation on my part there is no method (I believe) to discover the truth to the belief. The resume Chamberlain accomplished while playing is totally amazing even with a smaller sized NBA. Anytime the game is changed due to your play that indicates to me a generational athlete and that’s what Chamberlain was. Don’t just take my word, check his numbers. In addition there is YouTube video of the 7-foot 1 Chamberlain in action. This for JJ Redick, Chamberlain faced more than plumbers and firemen while playing in the NBA. Some of you might remember the Redick quote earlier this year, I believe Chamberlain could play in any era.

Me and arenas

I watched a tiny portion of a Billikens game recently; it is the basis for this account. The St. Louis University Billikens play their games in Chaifetz Arena. This arena opened in 2008 seats 10,600 for basketball. I was in the arena last May for a high school graduation, as I surveyed the surroundings my mind went to work. There are four large monitors in each corner of the upper portion of the arena containing video replays and stats. I love sports arenas although only from the level of a novice. Moving out of St. Louis to Los Angeles or Inglewood if you prefer, we have the Intuit Dome. The planned home of the Clippers is moving at a steady construction pace and should be ready in time for the 2024 NBA season.

Owner Ballmer appears to have spared no expense in building this luxurious sports palace, he’s even installing a record number of rest room facilities to minimize the number of lines. Also mentioned previously was news from Las Vegas. The Oak View development group plans to break ground in 2023 on a 20,000-seat $3 billion basketball arena and entertainment complex south of the Las Vegas Strip. Can we say together Las Vegas in the NBA in the very near future? Returning to the east coast and Philadelphia. The Sixers are looking toward moving from Wells Fargo Center built in 1996.

Currently the NBA team shares the arena with a number of other teams, it appears the Sixers desire their own building. “76 Place” is budgeted at $1.3 billion and would be located near the fashion district in Philadelphia. Two of the Sixer managing partners are steering the project with a planned opening in 2031. In closing we look toward Baylor University in Waco Texas. The Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion held its groundbreaking last spring. The 7,500-seat basketball arena for the Baylor Bears will be completed in time for the 2023-24 basketball season. This is certainly not a complete list of planned arenas, I’m quite sure I missed a few but it does provide an idea of current news.

Bits n Pieces

The NBA announced a new trophy will be awarded at the end of the season. The team finishing with the best record will be awarded the new Maurice Podoloff trophy. For those who might be unfamiliar with the name Podoloff was the president of the BAA and later the NBA when the league first began play back in 1946. He served in the role until 1963 when he retired, Podoloff is given credit for much of the early success of the league. In a twist his successor J. Walter Kennedy was named commissioner. Back up a moment, the NBA MVP was awarded the Podoloff trophy which represents a change. There’s been no announcement yet of the new name for the NBA MVP. 

Nike formally announced it was scrapping its deal with Kyrie Irving. I believe most of us are aware of the actions that caused the change, briefly Irving’s social media page contained a link to a film many believed inflammatory in its portrayal. Irving’s representative indicated the agreement to dissolve was mutual. As for this observation rest assured there is another shoe/apparel entity willing to take over the Nike role. 

This is different, Mizzou received votes for the Top 25. The Tigers received two votes which is certainly amazing although the season is young. I had to conduct some research because my memory provided me no basis for Mizzou even sniffing the Top 25. Indeed it did occur, it was December 2012. The poll released December 24^th that year placed Mizzou at number 10, the previous week it had been number 18.