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Basketball from a fans perspective

I am able to admit when I’m wrong

Unlike a certain screaming television host I can admit when I’m wrong, this is one of those cases. The 15-man 2023 McDonald’s All-American team was announced on Tuesday and on that team was Bronny James. I cannot provide you day, date and time but I questioned his talent and whether he was receiving publicity due to being the son of LeBron James. Now allow me to clarify this, being selected a McDonald’s All-American is not a guaranteed punched ticket to the NBA. It’s clear I missed on this one, it would appear this combo guard is more talented than I surmised. On the other hand maybe Bronny’s stepped up his game too. What’s next for Bronny, it appears to be college over the G-League, Overtime Elite or Australia.

There is a trio of schools reported to be at the top of Bronny’s list of schools. It’s been stated Ohio State is in the lead although that’s not been confirmed. In closing a bit of trivia, it certainly doesn’t occur often a father-son combo. LeBron and Bronny become the third father-son duo to be selected McDonald’s All-Americans. The second father-son was Lester Earl LSU and Kansas in the late ‘90’s. His son Jeremiah Robinson-Earl played at Villanova and was drafted in 2021 by the Thunder, he’s currently playing for their G-League affiliate. The first is actually a trio a grandfather, father and grandson, the Wagner’s. Milt the grandfather, DaJuan the father of D.J. who was named a the 2023 McDonald’s All-American team. Thanks to Rob for coming to my aid in this research project.

Live by the jump shot, die by the same 

Recently my friend Alex reminded me of the old adage which is the headline. It simply indicates when your shot is dropping everything is good when it’s not you lose. Generally that was the problem for the Tigers when they faced Alabama shot poorly and lost the game, that was not the case on Tuesday evening as they faced Ole Miss on the road. Mizzou was a slight favorite as they should have been, Ole Miss entered the game with a 1-6 conference record…9-11 overall. As Dan Patrick would often say on SportsCenter, Mizzou was “en fuego” as they shot 55.4% from the floor and 53.3% from behind the arc.

Kobe Brown returned to the court after his injury and contributed 18 points, D’Moi Hodge scored 24 points emerging from his shooting slump. I’m unsure if Isiaih Mosely is a permanent starter but he contributed another outstanding game with 20 points and 53% shooting. The team must now prepare for the SEC-Big XII Challenge on Saturday as number 12 Iowa State makes an appearance in Columbia. Around this part of the nation a few sports talk radio host liken these hires to be a contest between Jerome Tang at Kansas State and Dennis Gates. I applaud Tang, he’s changed the culture and created a winning program. I’m okay with my guy too, Gates has done a commendable job to date based on the team he inherited.

Tell me what you know, not what you think

Your head is probably spinning wondering “What the heck is this guy talking about?” Earlier today I listened to an interview with Myron Medcalf senior college basketball reporter for ESPN. Medcalf answered question after question with concise and informative answers. On Monday I heard a similar interview and discussion with Mike DeCoursey of the Sporting News. DeCoursey provided information giving us his opinion in the same manner of Medcalf.

The basis for the headline, it really doesn’t matter who you are if asked a question you must inform us what you think. The problem for me is a number of these folks have become “actors”, they perform more than provide information. The simple answer, Medcalf and DeCoursey and others are giving us the answer what they think. They don’t find it necessary to become “the story” they simply report the story. They don’t add any fluff or unnecessary information just the facts. I focused on Medcalf and DeCoursey but there are others who perform in the same manner. They are able to provide us answers without the hyperbole in those performers disguised as media members.

He's an enigma for me

I’ve been a Dennis Schroder fan long before he began play for the Lakers. The limited play I saw while a member of the Hawks and Thunder excited me when the Lakers received him in a trade. That first year (2020-21) appeared successful, the Lakers were reported to have made a contractual offer. Schroeder refused the offer “Thanks but no thanks I’m a free agent now.” A strange thing occurred; on the free agent market Schroeder didn’t receive offers anywhere close to the amount of money he wanted.

Schroeder would then sign a one-year contract with the Celtics later, he played for them half a season and then was traded to the Rockets in February. At the end of the season free agent Schroeder decided on a return to the Lakers rather than signing with the Raptors or Suns. I was surprised but believed he could help the Lakers in a reserve role. To date Schroeder has settled into the reserve role I expected, a much better shooter than Randy Beverley but not as good a defender. Schroeder’s steal against the Grizzlies was key to the 122-121 win and his 19 point 8 rebound 8 assist game demonstrated his solid game.