Published Monday thru Friday    

Basketball from a fans perspective

It was a good week 

Coach Gates and staff did it again on Friday, it was a great recruiting week for Mizzou and Class of 2024 prospects. Early in the week on Monday 6-foot 6 190-pound Marcus Allen listed as a hybrid committed to Mizzou, at the close of the work week on Friday 7-foot 300-pound center Peyton Marshall announced he would also be headed to Mizzou. These two join 6-foot 5 190-pound point guard T.O. Barrett who verbally committed June 29. This might appear to be a bold statement on my part, despite that fact I’m gonna say it anyway. 

How about the best recruiting week in basketball history for Mizzou since we first begin tracking this stuff. Now for the disclaimer, all three of these prospects have done thus far is make a verbal commitment. Between now and August 2024 one or more could change their mind although all three would certainly be doubtful. In addition they might not play at the level projected, that is always that possibility as well. In any event I think most in Mizzou Nation should feel good about the basketball program once again. After suffering on the court and especially in recruiting it appears Dennis Gates and staff are working at resolving one aspect. 

I never claimed to be correct…but   

A few weeks ago I wrote of the effort by Royals owner John Sherman to build a downtown ballpark. I made it known I was opposed for several reasons chief among them who pays. I detailed the background of Chase Center, Climate Pledge Arena, Intuit Dome and the planned 76 Place. It was pointed out each of these arenas was and will be completed without a single taxpayer dollar. I made note of the fact Sherman at the time I wrote the account made no mentioned of what he intended to pay. I stated I was opposed without a promise by Sherman of his contribution. Well my interpretation upset at least one person, it was pointed out having baseball (or the NFL, NBA) makes a city “major league.”

This is me, why is a major league team validation of a city’s status? I will cite an example for you, I’m unsure of the number but when Kansas City served as host for the NFL draft several businesses indicated revenue was down for those 3-4 days of the event. There must have been a circle surrounding Union Station home of the draft. The further away your business was located from Union Station the    less monetary return was received by the entity. My account dealt with baseball however it would be the same if we had an NBA team. Having a major league team displayed on the front of a jersey doesn’t always earn a city major league status. In closing since my account was written Sherman’s stepped up and pledged $1 billion toward the $2 billion project. Despite the pledge I remain opposed to the stadium until I see a positive in the peoples favor. As a reminder I never claimed to be correct…but it is my opinion there is no requirement for you to agree.  

NBA coverage will be weird next season

The headline is the comment of JJ Redick who I believe still works for ESPN. Although I no longer view the network at the level I once did it remains the leader. Sorry Fox Sports your football coverage NFL and college are good, no NBA and not a great deal of college basketball coverage why would I choose Fox Sports? That’s a discussion for another time and place, now for the subject at hand. Redick’s comment is true and easy to understand. A seismic shift occurred with the Worldwide leader at the conclusion of the NBA championship. ESPN/ABC pulled the plug on analyst Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy however Mike Breen will continue in his role as play-by-play broadcaster.

Why Jackson was tenured remains unclear, the departure of Van Gundy is slightly different. It was claimed the former coach wanted to return to the bench although that was never confirmed. Moving in to replace the duo will be Doris Burke and Doc Rivers. Mark Jones remains in place as the backup broadcast crew, as this is written there’s been no indication who will become his analyst-partner. On the studio side ESPN decided to release Jalen Rose, the NBA Finals will now have Malika Andrews change positions with Mike Greenberg. Thumbs up on the move by Burke, thumbs down on Rivers. I’ve never liked Rivers as a coach so I’m supposed to listen to his commentary now. One more vote, thumbs down for Malika Andrews. I’m not the least bit impressed by Andrews and I believe someone else more worthy could have been placed in that position.

In the news

An unknown percentage of basketball fans were familiar with Overtime Elite, this new league started in 2021 was relatively unknown by a greater percentage until the 2023 NBA draft. The June draft saw the Thompson twins Amen chosen with pick five by the Rockets, his twin brother Ausar was chosen by the Pistons at six. I’m sure this caused several to set up and take notice of this new league. The Thompsons are yet to set foot on an NBA court. Perhaps they might be overrated however I don’t believe that to be the case. Will they be successful in the NBA, time and play will determine that question. In the meantime OTE made news once again, and most interesting it involved twins as well.

Matt and Bewley Ryan left high school joining OTE in its first year of operation. Due to age requirements unlike the Thompsons these brothers are ineligible for the NBA draft until 2024. They made a decision, they will begin play at Chicago State this upcoming season. Besides the brothers ability there is at least one non-basketball question surrounding these twins. Since OTE is a pay for play league I wonder how this might impact these young men and their eligibility? As far as we can determine there appears to be no question regarding this matter and perhaps we must await the heavy hand of the NCAA for a decision. In any event should they be no eligibility questions and the Ryan’s are able to play Chicago State basketball should be quite interesting this season.