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Basketball from a fans perspective

A trap game

Mizzou got off to a terrible start, how bad was it? They were down 19 points at a time to the worst team in the SEC the LSU Tigers, Mizzou held the lead for all of 90 secs in winning the game 81-76. Mizzou teams of the past would have lost a game of this type, they would have been sulking as shot after shot missed. I’m unsure what their percentage was in the first half but they more than made up in the second half for all the missed shots as they scored 47 points to LSU’s 29. My one complaint they must defend from three much better, Mizzou allowed LSU to shoot 50% from three.

How did they win the game, with guts and determination, a direct reflection of a team that never gives up and it’s coach. This Mizzou team under Gates leadership has exhibited outstanding play all season and a reflection of Gates. This win becomes number 22 of the season, Mizzou won 23 games in back-to-back seasons 2012-13 and 2013-14. A friend put it this way, “7-0 in close games this year! Mental toughness or as Gates and company like to say #dontblink”. Mizzou closes out the regular season at home against Ole Miss on Saturday. On March 9 they play in the second round of the SEC Tournament, wait I’m getting ahead of myself. I must remember one game at a time, one game.

Step up

This is going to be a brief report on the Lakers Wednesday night game, there was no LeBron James and Anthony Davis was also sidelined. Who would step up, it would be guard Dennis Schroeder playing on a bad ankle? Schroeder scored 26 points and dished out 6 assists as the Lakers were able to hold off the Thunder 123-117. Who’s next, I have no idea at this point, but it’s got to be somebody. LeBron is out for at least the next three weeks, AD’s status is unknown as this is written. If this team is as serious as they claim it is time for someone else to step up.

Has time run out for Ewing

As this is written Georgetown has a 7-22 record, 2-16 in the Big East Conference. It’s likely Patrick Ewing will be fired at the end of the season, but this basketball program is in deep, deep trouble. The best record recorded by the Hoyas under Ewing is the 19-14 record in his second season. This is year number six and rest assured the athletic department wanted more than what has occurred to date. My friend asked the question about great players becoming great coaches.

His question was aimed at NFL coaches, but we could apply it here. Pat Ewing is a Hall of Fame former player from his time at Georgetown and the Knicks. I haven’t followed the program closely but truly believe Ewing knows the game, perhaps he’s not an effective communicator or something else has caused a disconnect with the program. I have doubts if there is anything or anyone capable of saving Ewing’s job at this point. All I can say is Jack the English bulldog mascot that represents Georgetown now looks more like that of a Yorkshire Terrier. The bark of the tiny Terrier fails to scare the opposition as Jack once did.

Party of one

NBA expansion has been on the minds of many for a number of years. For a variety of reasons Seattle was believed first in line once the decision had been reached but wait. A media member now claims our thought process might not be correct. Eric Pincus has covered the NBA for a number of sources over the years, he is a voice with knowledge. He claims Seattle might be in second place, Pincus claims Mexico City adding an international presence may have moved in front for several reasons. The thought of expanding basketball in Latin America is at the top of the list according to the writer.

Based on the time zone issue alone this move is certainly more feasible than a European NBA team…sorry Europe. Hold on a moment, are we sure that is the direction the NBA wants to head? In 1995 the NBA expanded adding franchises outside our borders with Vancouver and Toronto arriving. The Grizzlies moved to Memphis in 2001 however the Toronto franchise has thrived. If I were to use Toronto as our example, I’d say Mexico City is a slam dunk however maybe not. Can you imagine the firestorm that would occur if the NBA expanded and did not include Seattle? Pincus is a credible voice however I believe he might be off on this subject. What do I know, I’m only a party of one?

He is a clown

Generally anytime a trade occurs we are led to believe the team decided to go in another direction. When the Lakers traded for Pat Beverley, you might remember I thought it strange. The guy has a reputation as a defensive specialist however I’ve always believed it was more reputation over production. Fast forward to last month, at the trade deadline the Lakers traded Beverley to the Jazz. Eventually he winds up with the Bulls but that’s another story.

Just this week we received news from Beverley, it was him requesting a trade over the Lakers deciding to move in another direction. Guys get traded all the time in the NBA, guys who are far more valuable than Beverley. I can’t get inside his mind, but I truly wonder why he thinks it’s so important to say, “It was me.” He’s accomplished a great deal in his NBA career. He’s gone from an undrafted player to one earning $13.33 million this season. Beverley is 34-years old, and he was never the defensive whiz many believed he was. Beverley needs to continue his role as a so-called defensive specialist and shut up.