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Basketball from a fans perspective

Expect the worst but hope for the best     

Those words were the lead to my social media post on the Mizzou-Bama game. I’d mentioned in the Top 25 poll Bama was listed at 3 in one and 4 in another, Mizzou certainly had their work cut out for them. Although Mizzou made several runs at Bama even taken the lead to a point they were never able to sustain it. The final score read Bama 72 Mizzou 61, as you’ve heard from the time you were in elementary school, “You live by the jump shot or die by it.” In this game Mizzou managed to perform the latter.

There were so many shots some of them right beneath the basket that became missed shots, Mizzou managed to shoot a pathetic 34% from the floor. It should also be noted in addition Brandon Miller (projected NBA lottery pick) and Noah Clowney (anticipated NBA late first round pick) managed to do a number on Mizzou’s Kobe Brown who only managed 6 points on 3 for 9 from the floor. I guess this might not be a good time to mention Coach Dennis Gates received an extension. Just kidding, he deserved it and hopefully this will place a “hands off” sign on the coaches door. In any event I must remind you again, did I have any idea Mizzou would play a semi-final game in the SEC in the coaches first year?

Who are they?

The retirement of Pau Gasol’s number 16 prompted this story. Are you familiar with the names and numbers of those hanging in the rafters of Crypto.com Arena? Some reading this might not be familiar with the names so the dates they wore Purple & Gold is also provided. 

Kobe Bryant 8 & 24, 1996-2016

Wilt Chamberlain 13, 1968-1973

Elgin Baylor 22, 1958-1971

Magic Johnson 32, 1971-1991,1996

Kareem Abdul Jabbar 33, 1975-1989

Shaquille O’Neal 32, 1996-2004

Gail Goodrich 25, 1965-1968, 1970-1976

James Worthy 42, 1982-1994

Jerry West 44, 1960-1974

Jamaal Wilkes 52, 1977-1985

Pau Gasol 16, 2008-2014

George Mikan 99, 1947-1954 Minneapolis Lakers 

For your information without a count I checked the Boston Celtics for retired numbers. The Celtics have more retired jerseys than my Lakers.

What’s the difference

Laker center Mo Bamba is out suffering a high ankle sprain, some might remember Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes suffered the same fate. When I was growing up, I remember spraining my ankles numerous times, it seemed in a few days I was fine. Now I’m hearing about a high ankle sprain, and I want to know the difference maybe you do too. This is what was uncovered on the net, “High ankle sprains involve turning inward or outward while your foot is flexed up.

Most low ankle sprains happen when the ankle rolls inward, while other low ankle sprains happen when the ankle rolls outward.” A little more information for your understanding, “Recovery time is 4-6 weeks although severe high ankle sprains can take up to six months and might require surgery.” What I experienced in my youth was just an ordinary ankle sprain. I located 8 NBA players who suffered high ankle sprains during their careers. LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook are just a few of the names.

Transfer portal

I happen to believe the transfer portal is a vital aid however it’s not the only one. Adding a player already accustomed to the college game certainly can be beneficial. Despite this fact I believe recruiting high school talent remains key to the success of any basketball program. I have no idea who arrives for the Mizzou Tigers in August, as for the recruiting at present. Several sources indicate Mizzou should have a good incoming class; I’d take that one step further. With 300+ Division I schools anyplace in the Top 50 is good territory. Below are the sites and where they rank Mizzou’s 2023 class in the nation:

247Sports #20

On3.com #32

Rivals.com #30

SI.com #22 

I believe this evidence speaks well for Coach Gates and staff in their efforts to recruit talent for Mizzou. The other portion of recruiting is the transfer portal. I have a friend who imparted these words to me, “I don’t have the patience for developing freshmen anymore.” I can agree with his statement based on the success of Mizzou this season, there are 9 seniors on this roster they are comfortable playing at Division I level unlike an incoming freshman. The adjustments required of portal players are far smaller than an incoming freshmen. I’m reminded of a quote by the late Al McGuire longtime Marquette coach. McGuire once said this; “The best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores.”