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Basketball from a fans perspective

Hopeful anticipation

What occurred in College Station Texas Wednesday evening was not anticipated. I expected the Tigers to compete against A&M and they did to a degree however they came up woefully short. Mizzou was on the back end of an 82 to 64 loss, poor shooting and even poorer rebounding will cause a team to lose a game of this sort. Let’s check out the box score for a few highlights (or lowlights), Mizzou shot 35.6% from the floor to A&M’s 53.3.

Did I mention the issue of rebounds, A&M had a 42 to 25 advantage? As usual Kobe Brown led the way for the Tigers scoring 12 points, Hodge and Gholston registered 10 apiece. Finally there was an unusual sighting, Mohamed Diarra all 6 foot 10 was in action for 8 minutes. His contribution was minor, but the Tigers were getting killed on the boards, the move might have come as one of desperation. Am I disappointed, of course I am but no need of dwelling on it, now it’s on to a Saturday match against the Florida Gators at their house?  

The Alamodome

For those who might be unfamiliar with the Alamodome it’s located in San Antonio and it’s a football stadium. It was converted for NBA basketball and served as home court for the Spurs for nine seasons beginning in the 1992-93 season. In 2002 the Spurs moved into the newly built Southwestern Bell Arena (AT&T now) where they remain to the present day. Why the interest in the Alamodome at this time, the reason is simple an NBA attendance record is about to be broken?

On Friday 63,592 tickets have been sold for the game against the Warriors which will break the NBA record set 25 years ago. Curiously that game featured the Michael Jordan Bulls playing the Hawks March 27, 1998. There were 62,046 fans in attendance at the Georgia Dome for that game. The significance, this is the 50-year anniversary of the Spurs in San Antonio. Although the team was an NBA original from 1967 home has not always been in the city, one additional note, if the Spurs are making the announcement of ticket sales ahead of the date the attendance record is eclipsed already.

I think I might ask for my money back

We’ve discussed the less than stellar play of the Clippers. My focus has primarily been on Kawhi Leonard, but Paul George might be as much of a culprit. Let’s see what occurred, the Clippers were so concerned about PG signing with the Lakers they signed their future away. I make that statement because unlike Leonard a trade had to be accomplished to acquire PG. The Thunder sent PG to the Clippers for Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and five (5) first round Clipper draft picks. Gallinari has since moved on and now plays for the Hawks. As for Gilgeous-Alexander he’s blossomed in a Thunder jersey and is knocking on the door of stardom.

The draft choices cannot be analyzed since there are two remaining in the future. As for the 2020 and 2021 choices both have been traded, the 2022 pick was Jalen Williams. This rookie from Santa Clara has moved into the starting lineup for the Thunder. The 2019-20 season was impacted by covid, of the 72 games played George was in action for 48. The next season he was able to play in 48 of the Clippers 82, of the 42 games thus far this season he’s been available for 31. This is not a discussion of talent rather one of readiness to play. It does no good to have a brilliant talent such as Paul George if he’s infrequently available. I concluded a while ago it serves no purpose for the Clippers are any other team for that matter to have a superstar talent on the sidelines on a frequent basis.

The world’s most famous arena

Reading the headline you are aware this must be an account regarding Madison Square Garden. That is indeed the case, in this instance we ask the question how long? See the clock is ticking on the oldest continuously operated NBA and when the lease runs out what occurs? That remains a question for now but let’s check the rich connection to the NBA. No place in the NBA will you see as many men dressed in suits as you will MSG. My guess is rather than head home after their workday is complete, they simply leave their Manhattan offices for 4 Pennsylvania Plaza the address of MSG.

The arena will hold 20,000 for Knick games and based on television there appears to be few empty seats in the lower bowl. This is the fourth arena in the city with the MSG name, the present arena opened in 1968. Since it’s opening the arena has been renovated 1989-1991 and again 2011-2013. The walkway in the video we see Willis Reed emerge from for Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals no longer exists. Renovation has changed that portion of MSG. Opposing players from Wilt Chamberlain to LeBron James claim they love playing in the building, most say it’s playing the game before the knowledgeable basketball fans of New York City. At this point we are unsure what the future holds for MSG, as I stated at the beginning the clock is ticking on its eventual demise at least at this location.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHzxM69qm50

Lifetime contract

Without conducting research allow me to inform you Kentucky’s John Calipari has a lifetime contract. Several years back the school made the announcement and it’s believed to be in place. There are some in Big Blue Nation are wishing otherwise, more than an ample number of fans are upset. They are distressed because unlike past seasons this version of the Kentucky Wildcats appear easily defeated. That has been the case and folks are upset about it, there was a small demonstration in Rupp Arena of all places.

A fan was removed because he held a sign that said Calipari take the Texas job or similar words. 5-6 years ago we’d never see anything similar occur anywhere in the State of Kentucky. I’m borrowing this from someone, he said; “Calipari should take the Texas job, in two years they will be in the SEC, and he should beat Kentucky.” Trust me it ain’t gonna happen, someone will be hired in Austin, and it is highly likely it won’t be Calipari. This is my belief; Kentucky fans are spoiled in the same manner as other highly successful programs across the country. Want me to name the bunch, how about fans of the Kansas Jayhawks, Duke Blue Devils, Carolina Heels and UCLA Bruins just to name a few? Coach Cal has hit a rough patch in his coaching career and Big Blue is not particularly forgiving.