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Basketball from a fans perspective

Nostradamus of the Midwest

Several might remember, a few weeks ago I predicted Mizzou would finish the regular season with 4 consecutive wins. You do understand all the so-called predictions of Nostradamus didn’t come to fruition. In addition if it didn’t turn out as stated I gave you permission to laugh at me. Yesterday the 85-63 win over the Georgia Bulldogs means I’m halfway there, this was win number 2. Once again Mizzou had me a little worried, road game and them down at the half 41-40. The second half blitz by Mizzou was a thing of beauty as they outscored the Bulldogs 45-22. You might be surprised Kobe Brown only scored 8 points; he wasn’t in foul trouble it’s just that teammates took up the slack.

Four starters scored in double figures including reserve Nick Carter (12 points). Missing shots in the first half of the game they managed to make up for it by finishing 57.9% from the floor with 50% of it coming from the three-point line. Mizzou evened the count on the boards with 28 rebounds matching the effort by the Bulldogs. This time of year studio people are discussing quality wins in relation to the NCAA tournament. I really could care less about quality wins, just as long as the number is noted on the left side of the page over the right side. The win improves Mizzou’s record to 21-8, 9-7 in the SEC a far cry from what most of us believed possible at a point in time. This team could prove to be dangerous come NCAA tourney time, with little time for preparation their offense could prove fatal to teams unprepared to play.

Was anyone playing defense

If you heard the score 176-175 your first thought, this must be part II of the NBA All-Star Game. That would not be the case as the Clippers and Kings battled it out in 2 OT’s with the Kings coming out on top. Certainly by the headline and score we must figure there was little defense played. Check this out, the winning Kings shot 58.6% from the floor and 43.9% from the three line. We can include the 80% from the free throw line as well, high scorer for the victors was point guard De’ Aaron Fox with 42 points. Fox plus the other four starters all scored in double figures with Domantas Sabonis registering 20.

On the other side the Clippers shot a sizzling 60.2% from the floor including 57.8% from three, they also shot 86.1% at the line. Kawhi Leonard led in scoring with 44 points and right behind him Paul George with 34. From the starters and reserves 7 Clippers scored in double figures in this shootout. This was the debut game for newly signed Clipper Westbrook, he was inserted in the game as a starter and   contributed 17 points along with 14 assists. Friday night’s game becomes the second highest scoring in NBA history. The record game occurred December 13, 1983, as the Pistons beat the Nuggets 186-184 in a triple OT game.

It’s different now

Ole Miss fired coach Kermit Davis on Friday, not that unusual considering the team’s record but the timing, they only had one more regular season game. Once upon a time colleges waited until the end of the season before firing a coach but that was then this is now. I’m unsure if we can determine a basis for the termination except to say there appears less patient by athletic departments in this era. Davis would have completed season five but other than his first season the basketball program failed to provide any proof it was ascending. It’s too bad for Davis, his record beyond Ole Miss provides us proof at Middle Tennessee he’s been a winning coach. The Ole Miss athletic department now begins its search for a replacement for Davis.

He’s correct

The words of Brian Windhorst could prove prophetic, he said “They (Lakers) have no margin for error.” He was speaking of this re-tooled team along with LeBron James. With his lingering injury his health is key to whatever success the Lakers hope for this season. On paper this new Laker team appears it could be successful, as a stand-alone unit in 2-3 years. Team members know how to play the game, most don’t know how to win. They don’t know how to win, exactly what are you trying to say?

Allow me to explain   further, the majority of these guys have played the game since they were 8-10 years old. They certainly know the difference between winning and losing a game, but most are missing that one intangible. Simply stated it’s the ability to realize what it takes to win an NBA championship and then accomplish it. Anthony Davis knows it and certainly LeBron James does as well. As for the balance of the roster they have yet to reach that point. That intangible is difficult to describe, for me it says despite the odds, despite what others say we are the best and we’ll prove it.

We shall see

Generally players are drafted from winning programs, will that change in June 2023? The question is asked for obvious reasons, Emoni Bates is receiving NBA views by scouts. The scouts are certainly attending Eastern Michigan games see Bates and maybe Noah Farrakhan in action, that’s about it. Friday evening the Eagles lost to Kent State 81-54 which shouldn’t be surprising, Kent State is in first place in the conference.

As most are aware I am following Bates progress this season as he resurrects his basketball mission. The 6 foot 10 Bates has seen his numbers slide over the last few weeks to 20.2 points a game. This is the issue, how much has a single fact caused the slide. Bates is the OFFENSE for Eastern Michigan, the loss now leaves them with a 6-win 21 loss season. The Eagles are 3-11 in the Mid America Conference. This is not a done deal; Bates is yet to say yes or no if he’s headed for the NBA. If I were his father, I would take out a Lloyds of London risk injury policy and recommend my son remain in school another year.