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Basketball from a fans perspective

I cover it all, literally

Before I begin this allow me to state up front, I never was as good as I hoped. I held a conversation with a co-worker this week, he was aware I published a blog although he was unfamiliar with the layout. In the past our discussions between us have centered on the NBA, he was surprised about this next statement. I said, “Rory I try and follow it all, the NBA, college even high school basketball.” He was almost shocked and began laughing “You are a real basketball fanatic.” Although I laughed too I’m unsure if he’s correct, I followed other sports but certainly not the degree I do with basketball at all levels. Where did it start, it was in elementary school in the 4^TH grade.

Our PE teacher was attempting to field a basketball team, guess who became one of the first cuts…yes it was me. Let’s say my skill was not very good, later my brother and me convinced our mom to have a basketball goal installed in our backyard. My practice routine continued however there was a problem…lack of height. Although puberty saw me grow in height I never came close to 6 feet. Although my play improved (in my eyes) due to my lack of growth I didn’t have enough confidence to even consider trying out for my high school team. Later while spending time in the Army there were teams and gyms at every post I served, and with practice my play certainly improved. That’s the brief story of my basketball roots, loved the game but was never skilled enough to play it at the level I hoped as a youth. Based on my shortcomings as a player I decided to concentrate on writing about basketball.

The decision is made (maybe)

I’ve been writing for at least 2-3 weeks the Lakers’ desire to fill their last roster position. It appears the want is a Big Man and the name is Christian Wood. As you might remember acquisition of Wood is easier said than done, the main obstacle is money. The Lakers have veteran minimum money available which probably won’t satisfy Wood. I reported the Mavs were considering releasing 35-year-old JaVale McGee. It was reported yesterday that McGee shared time at the center position with Dwight Howard when both played for the Lakers and won it all in 2020. This is written Wednesday morning and I’m reading the Mavs have released McGee.

I wonder is Rob Pelinka on the telephone yet attempting to contact McGee’s agent? As I indicated on Tuesday my co-worker disagreed with this move. I believe it might be the only one remaining and I’ll explain. Without providing names the list of available free agent centers is not very extensive. Those remaining or undersized (6 foot 8) or come with questions. Wood despite all his talent might be the best of the bunch except for the X factor…attitude. I believe playing spot minutes McGee is the better choice although there is an outside chance it becomes Wood. As this was finished I read the Kings might put in a bid for McGee too.

World Champions

I am a party of one, I am loudly proclaiming the Nuggets are NBA Champions, that honor does not reflect the world. An American sprinter Noah Lyles of all people has caused this firestorm by claiming what I just reported. NBA players came rushing to the forefront critical of Lyles statement. We appear to be confused sometimes about basketball fact versus reality. Before I delve into this latest kerfuffle an older one. At least two retired NBA players were critical of a couple of names in the Naismith Hall of Fame, they questioned these players inclusion believing their NBA career was only ordinary. They had to be reminded it’s not the NBA Hall it’s an honor recognizing all basketball.

Let’s check out a few facts, if you remember at some point during the NBA season I reported an ever-increasing number of international players now dot the roster of NBA teams. This past season the NBA reported there were 120 players from 40 nations and 6 continents. So what is that stating, just this single fact. Despite the point Nikola Jokic plays for the Nuggets he is a citizen of Serbia, he cannot play for Team USA unless he decides to become a citizen here. Jokic like the other 119 players has returned to his native country, as for the Nuggets they did not play a team from Serbia or any other world nation to win the 2023 NBA Championship. International players journey to the U.S. to play in the NBA, they do this because the best basketball in the world is still played here. Despite that statement it is not world championship.

Revisionist history

Some of you in Mizzou Nation will be upset over what you are about to read. It covers Bill Self and how the school responded once upon a time. This has been mentioned several times in the past, when legendary Mizzou coach Bill Self was fired/asked to resign a national search began for a replacement. In 1999 during the interview process two candidates must have come to the forefront, Duke assistant Quin Snyder and Tulsa head coach Bill Self. We have no idea some 24 years later but at this point your revisionist history begins. Snyder after playing for Coach K. became a member of his staff as an assistant. Snyder was a youthful 33 years of age when hired. As for Self, he’d been a winner at mid major Tulsa. In addition Self was four years older, he was 37-years old.

You are aware of the balance of the story Mizzou hired Snyder over Self but what might have occurred if Self had been hired. Since 1999 Mizzou has seen 6 head coaches (7 if we count an interim). After a time he left Tulsa for Illinois and then departed for Kansas in 2003 where he continues. Since 1999 Mizzou basketball winning has been up and down but is a little misleading. For example not counting the single interim coach is not quite as bad as might be perceived. Of the number of former coaches only Kim Anderson actually compiled a losing record. The recently departed Cuonzo Martin was one game above .500 during his time. Back to Self a moment, Mizzou might have compiled a better record if he’d been hired however the other must be taken into consideration. Kansas basketball was a ready-built opportunity to successfully coach one that certainly didn’t exist at that time for Mizzou.

Talent vs need

We’ve discussed when acquiring talent do you draft to fill a need or the best athlete on the board? The following will not resolve the debate but provide insight into what occurred in Laker history. In 1977 with pick number 22 in the first round the Lakers made Duquesne point guard Norm Nixon their choice. Over the next two seasons Nixon’s talent was quite evident at the point advancing the ball to Kareem and others. The team had plenty of scorers so there was no requirement for him to shoot, despite this fact Nixon contributed 13.7 points a game on nearly 50% shooting. It was his assist total which stood out, nearly 7 assists a game for a rookie, the next season the numbers were even better…17 points and 9 assists. It might be apparent just reading this you might see no requirement for another point guard.

Despite having a wealth of talent at the point in the 1979 NBA draft the Lakers with pick number one in that draft chose point guard Magic Johnson out of Michigan State. Despite having two-point guards playing at the same time, each managed to tailor their game to benefit the team. The end result both players were instrumental in the Lakers winning the 1980 and 1982 NBA championship. The history says GM Jerry West decided to trade Nixon to the San Diego Clippers prior to the start of the 1983 season, it was done to free Johnson from sharing the ball. Thus ends the account of Norm Nixon and Magic Johnson two outstanding point guards who shared backcourt duties. I could point to the championships and say this cast worked for a time however West must have believed in the long run the team required a change. So what do you think…good draft move to acquire Magic?