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Basketball from a fans perspective

Beauty Contest

I’ve claimed for a time Top 25 polls are glorified beauty contests. At the college level they provoke excitement among teams, students, alumni and fans, and really serve no purpose. If that is the case, why do I pay so much attention to them? More on that later, I just checked 7 Top 25 Men’s poll and missing except in one in Mizzou. 247Sports.com list the Tigers at 21, as for the other 6 polls they believe Mizzou has work to do. That could also apply to Kansas State as well, after their deep tournament run a few polls omitted them too. Most had the UConn Huskies in first place not too surprising, this was a surprise.

At least two polls at least for now have Marquette listed as number one. As for the SEC most of the same suspects are listed, however for the most part are at 10 and above. Big XII basketball was interesting in the eyes of most, the highest pre-season poll listed Kansas at three. One poll had them at 13 and another as high as 17. So now for my explanation on polls. I cannot be for sure about this but speculation ranks high on a school’s attraction in the following order. The desirability of a prospect is the coach, then the coach again, the schools facilities and finally the school itself. I believe Dennis Gates and staff are good enough at recruiting to attract qualified talent to Mizzou, that recruiting tool would extend to the transfer portal too.

It’s all his fault

This wouldn’t be mentioned if not for former NBA player Ray Allen, just kidding folks allow me to explain. I read an account in Basketball Network where Allen indicated Seattle was overdue for an NBA team. He’s not been the only former NBA player we’ve read of with similar comments, Jamal Crawford and Shawn Kemp voiced the same concern regarding Seattle. My question is who speaks for my hometown Kansas City? To read my comments does no good, I’m sure Mayor Lucas might receive an “Okay” by the association because he’s in charge of a city larger in population than Oklahoma City and New Orleans. There are former NBA players living in the metro, I wonder why they haven’t been more vocal regarding this subject. Do they not feel as enthusiastic about Kansas City as Allen and company?

Center Sam Lacey passed away several years ago but Tiny Archibald is still alive. Yes, I know Tiny is a New York City guy but he did set a record while a member of the Kansas City Kings which will never be duplicated. Tiny led the league in scoring and assists (1972-73). Those outside the city are probably more familiar with Scott Wedman from his time with the Celtics but it was here his NBA talent came to the forefront. Wedman still lives in the area in fact I met him several years ago. Ron Boone is a broadcaster for the Jazz but once was a shooting guard for the franchise, we could also add Phil Ford 1979 NBA Rookie of the Year. He returned to North Carolina but he too could be a spokesman. How about former coach Rick Adelman, his first NBA job was that of a Kansas City Kings guard. Clay Johnson never played for the Kings however his story is different. Johnson grew up in Kansas City, played high school basketball here and later in the NBA. There are others but I will end my tale of woe at this point but ask the question, where are the advocates for Kansas City?

He's the 2023 NBA MVP

I’m not going to keep you in the dark on this one, my choice for the 2023 NBA MVP is Sixer center Joel Hans Embiid. There is no attempt on my part to compare last season where Embiid was runner up to Nikola Jokic. The Joker has continue to demonstrate his tremendous talent while occupying the center position for the Nuggets. On Tuesday night against the Celtics Embiid was key to his team’s 103-101 win with these stat filling numbers. Embiid was 80% shooting from the field, a sizzling 20-25. He was 92.3% from the free throw line with 13 rebounds and 6 assists for a game total of 52 points.

As I’ve mentioned for a time it’s difficult to provide details on a players’ defensive rating. I can inform you Embiid had two blocked shots…how many others he might have affected we have no system to determine. Do the Sixers have enough to win an NBA Championship? They will earn a playoff berth, beyond that is pure speculation on my part. Back to Embiid a moment, the Sixer Big Man has come a long way from that raw player we first saw at Kansas in 2014. My playoff concern, he’s so vital to the Sixer offense will opposing teams attempt to contest Sixer guards ability to get the ball to Embiid.

Reserve role

I’m not sure who said this or where I first heard it, players complaining about starting versus a reserve role. The coach said, “It’s more important who is playing at the end of the game.” The NBA has seen a number of valuable contributors…so important the NBA created an award, Sixth Man of the Year.  It was first awarded in 1983 and Bobby Jones of the Sixers was the winner. Lou Williams playing for the Clippers won the award two consecutive years 2018, 2019. Jamal Crawford was a two-time winner although his award was 2014 and 2016), in addition he was coming off the Clipper bench too.

Generally a player in this role almost never becomes a starter except in one instance. Former Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is now in the Naismith Hall of Fame. As the 57^th pick in the second round of the 1999 draft he began in a reserve role. He moved into the starting lineup for the 2010-11 season, after that he moved back into the job, we most associate him with valuable reserve. Laker guard Austin Reaves might receive a few votes although he’s now become a starter, the same could be said for Russell Westbrook. Who ultimately wins the award you might ask? The winner is likely to emerge among these names, Malcolm Brogdon, Bobby Portis, Malik Monk or Immanuel Quickly.