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Basketball from a fans perspective

Who is the lottery winner?

The Pistons finished the regular season winning 17 games and losing 65. Next up were the Rockets and Spurs (22-60) followed by the Hornets 27-55 record and the Blazers at 33-49. Those names are the list of NBA teams with the worst one loss record for the season. There are other teams who will be part of the lottery tonight, however their chances of being awarded the number one pick are miniscule compared to the teams mentioned.  For those unsure how the process works it’s quite simple, ping-pong balls are placed in a hopper and one by one a ball is pulled with the teams name.

Using this as an example the hopper will contain more Piston ping-pong balls than Mavs despite the fact in theory the Mavs could be the winner. The prize winner in the Victor Wembanyama 2023 Draft is probably going to be one of the first five teams named. In addition to drafting a generational (their words not mine) player the French youngster has already indicated he will play for whoever drafts him. In the past we’ve had players warn teams “Don’t draft me.” I believe the last time this occurred was 1999, Steve Francis made his view known to the Grizzlies then located in Vancouver Canada. Besides Wembanyama this appears to be a deep draft. The best opportunity to secure the top pick at 14% are the Pistons, Rockets and Spurs. 

Who wins (the West)

By now you are aware which team I would prefer to win. Despite my personal feelings the numbers I discovered certainly don’t help my outlook. Most of us are aware NBA fans love offense, they have a fondness for slam dunks and 3-point baskets, however we know defense is the true winner. I decided to check nba.com for help specifically with how the league’s defensive ratings might affect the Western Conference series.

Would you believe there are four teams tied for first place in team defense since the playoffs have begun? The defensive numbers compiled are based on 13 games played by the Celtics, 11 by the Heat and Nuggets followed by the 12 games the Lakers played. As for the Western Conference, I believe the numbers point to a draw. As all are aware a game or a playoff series cannot end in a tie, who wins the Western Conference? The team that wins four games, at this point, could be the Nuggets but it also could be the Lakers as well.

What’s going on?

By now you’ve read or heard the Grizzlies have suspended Ja Morant…again. You might remember back in March he was suspended for 8 games for what was termed “Conduct detrimental to the league.” In this instance video circulated showing Morant brandishing a handgun. After his return and apology we believed his behavior was a thing of the past, that was the thought then. On Saturday, a video surfaced once again on social media detailing Morant once again with a handgun. For the second time the Grizzlies were forced to suspend him. Morant has so much basketball talent, it’s amazing at times some of the stuff he is able to accomplish.

That’s the basketball part, the brain part we cannot figure out. He totally misses the opportunity in front of him all due to his ability to play the game at a high skill level. I happen to believe he’s at a crossroads in his NBA career, one more incident of this level and it might be over. The NBA certainly has no desire to put on hold one of the leagues bright stars but don’t think it won’t be done. The league has enacted yearlong suspensions for drug offenses in the past. I hope no one believes the NBA cannot implement stern punishment. A number in the media have given us the number they believe and I am inclined to believe them. This could be a 25-30 game suspension at the beginning of the season. Morant so valuable to the Grizzlies losing that amount of time would place the team in a precarious position.

Kansas basketball

Some of you reading this acquainted with me are probably surprised. I have friends who either attended Kansas University or associated with the school or fans. The reason why I wrote this is because of what you are about to read. I don’t resent the success of Kansas basketball over the years. I don’t resent the Kansas players; I actually don’t resent a portion of the fan base. This is what I do resent, those over-the-top fans who are constantly reminding me and others the “greatness of the program.”

I also must include most of the Kansas City metro media who are complicit with this belief. It appears difficult for the local media to focus on any college basketball unrelated to Kansas. I believe the only reason Kansas State received so much coverage is due to their deep NCAA run. Since the college basketball season ended there’s been little mention of Kansas State or Mizzou basketball yet we have been apprised of every move made by Kansas basketball. I’m not mad I’m just confused; I can remember a time this in-balance in coverage didn’t exist. For unknown reasons Kansas basketball’s moved in front and in the media’s view will remain there.