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Basketball from a fans perspective

Why go there?

Stephen A. Smith, ESPN’s resident expert on everything, was a guest on Rich Eisen’s radio show. He made a statement about Ja Morant that still has me shaking my head in amazement. You can locate the story on the internet read it and make your own judgement. Smith claimed and this is his quote word for word, “People in NBA circles fear Ja Morant might be dead in 5 years.” That certainly sounds drastic if true, however this makes for a question.

Smith specifies “NBA circles”, thus far he is the only one making a statement of this magnitude. Who are these folks making such a dire expression? Back to the main topic, I believe the forthcoming suspension for Morant this time will be major. The suspension is not likely to be season long, however at a minimum I believe it to be 25 games, on the top end perhaps as many as 40 games. Don’t expect a slap on wrist punishment this time, we are way beyond that based on a second gun incident and other reported stories circulating.  

NBA Summer League 

There is one more important date to circle on your calendar. In addition to the NBA Draft there is this key event of the early summer, it’s NBA Summer League play. For those who might be unfamiliar with summer play, all 30 teams are participants. The teams are comprised of rookies, sophomores and G-League athletes. Although rare on occasion a veteran who might have missed a major portion of the season due to injury might be included on a team’s roster.

The California Classic will be played July 3 and 5 in Sacramento, in addition Salt Lake City will host games July 3, 5-6. The main event is held in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center July 7-17, the end date a Summer League Champion team will be crowned. The Spurs first will be in the California Classic. “NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league doesn’t have a preference regarding the site of (Victor) Wembanyama’s first game with the Spurs.” This is an interesting announcement; it says to us the NBA is aware the advent of this generational athlete will have the nation tuned into the game.

Interesting Comment

Who do you believe is the better basketball player the Lakers Austin Reaves or Warriors guard Jordan Poole. This account is based on who is making the claim, many of you might be familiar with Austin Rivers son of Doc Rivers. Rivers now plays for the Wolves which becomes team number 6 as he’s moved throughout the NBA and that’s the point. It’s the truth, Rivers is a journeyman player with the number of NBA jerseys he’s worn but its more than that, he’s been a part-time starter throughout his NBA career.

In addition how can Rivers provide me or anyone insight into shooting with a career 8.5 point per game average. It can be more than simply scoring the basketball, there have been a number of valued reserves who were employed strictly due to their shot making skills, let’s check the numbers for Rivers. For his career its .419 which isn’t terrible but it’s certainly not great, in his 11-year career the highest shooting percentage for Rivers was 2016-17 when he shot .442 from the floor. Two areas we are unable to check are defense and ball handling skills. Bottom line, I wonder why basketballnetwork.com sought him out for this assessment. It would seem to me they would have contacted a more proficient player…just my thoughts.

We are still unsure…maybe?

What to make of Mizzou’s 2023-24 roster is extremely difficult at this point in time. Through a great deal of off-season effort the roster appears solid. I cannot determine the viability of my statement until they tip off the basketball in that first game. The Transfer Portal has witnessed 5 incoming players, 3 shooting guards and 2 power forwards although late addition Connor Vanover might be projected in the post. Incoming freshman, 1 point guard and 1 center along with 1 power forward. Based on those who decided to remain rather than leave along with the newcomers, Mizzou should be okay despite what a few of the experts project. Okay in the sense I believe they will be competitive, beyond that is anybody’s guess including me.

I hoped Kobe Brown, who was the glue that held this team together would remain, that will not be the case. The point/forward’s received “word” that he will be drafted even if it’s in the second round. Mizzou finished in 4^th place during the regular season after being seen as a pre-season 14^th place team. So all that is necessary is for Mizzou to exceed expectations once again. As this was being completed came word 7-foot 5-inch Connor Vanover late of Oral Roberts University would sign with Mizzou. Vanover had good numbers (12.7 points & 7.2 rebounds) this past season, hopefully he can come close to similar numbers with Mizzou. A website, southboundanddown.com projects Mizzou at 6 in the SEC two notches below their 2022-23 record. To me that should make for another 20+ win season and a return to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. A conference finish and a participant in March Madness would certainly please me.