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Basketball from a fans perspective

Class of 2024

All the evidence indicated 4-star prospect Marcus Allen was headed to Mizzou. The Miami native had several choices in front of him Stanford, Michigan, Arkansas and hometown Miami to name a few. I could have written this 2-4 days ago but wanted to wait until his verbal commitment was firm, he did this on Monday. As for the specifics Allen stands 6 foot 7 and weighs 190 pounds, 247Sports describes him as a hybrid. 

I guess that says he can play small forward or shooting guard. Allen joins 6-foot 5-point guard 4-star prospect T.O. Barrett, Barrett verbally committed to Mizzou at the end of June. What is interesting at least for me is that both players bypassed schools in their “backyard” they could have chosen. Barrett is from Edmund which is next door to Norman home of the University of Oklahoma. Mizzou is ranked number 28 in the nation in recruiting by 247Sports, I’m sure this number should rise with the Allen commitment. 

Laker Nation

This issue of Los Angeles being a Laker or Clipper town has become a topic of conversation again. I’m part of Laker Nation however like a number of members I don’t live in Los Angeles, truth is I’ve never even visited the city. I have seen the Lakers play on occasion but not there, it must be quite different there but there is history. Although Los Angeles is not the city of origin the history certainly provides a basis for the why. The Lakers were struggling at the game in Minneapolis, in 1960 owner Bob Short moved the team to Los Angeles. Success occurred on the court and despite setbacks eventually resulted in winning championships.

As for the Clippers the story is certainly different, home base was Buffalo then a move to San Diego in 1978 occurred. The team remained in San Diego until 1984 when they made a move to Los Angeles. Owner Donald Sterling made the decision to move the Clippers to Los Angeles without league permission. The move was not peaceable, the NBA filed a lawsuit against Sterling and the NFL indirectly came to his aid. The NFL Raiders moved from Oakland to Los Angeles and a suit had been filed by the NFL, the courts ruled in favor of the football team, the NBA believing it would lose dropped the lawsuit. Based on the history will allegiance of Los Angeles fans change once the Intuit Dome opens? From what I read there are Clipper fans in the city it’s just the fact they are clearly outnumbered.

I hope this information is correct

The once proud Pac-12 Conference now consists of only four schools, the members are Washington State, Oregon State, Cal and Stanford. Several conference members have voted to depart for the Big 10 and Big XII Conference in 2024, I believe that to be correct. New additions to the Big 10 are Southern Cal, UCLA, Washington and Oregon. The Big XII adding Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado and in 2024 it will become a 16-team conference. More interesting is a report indicating the Mountain West Conference is considering a merger with the remaining Pac-12 members. From where I sit it’s going to be a little bit difficult to judge how the basketball will be impacted by these new schools especially the Big 10 Conference.

He’s gained weight

Tall guy Victor Wembanyama is receiving all the hype, that’s not unusual considering he was the top pick in the 2023 NBA draft. There is another tall guy who technically is a rookie too, his name is Chet Holmgren. You remember what occurred last season, Holmgren was made the second pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Thunder and he was prepared for the NBA until injured. He suffered a Lisfranc injury which sidelined the thin Holmgren for the season after a brief summer league appearance. I decided to check medical sources for a definition and it’s this, *“Lisfranc (midfoot) injuries result if bones in the midfoot are broken or ligaments that support the midfoot are torn.” It should be noted here that this type of injury could have been suffered by an athlete at 195 pounds or 250.

Last season a number of the same stories we hear about Wemby’s weight we read and heard about Holmgren. It’s clear summer league play in 2023 appeared to detail he was ready for play in the fall and winter. In addition to demonstrating his talent on the basketball court the “Thin Man” has managed to gain a bit of weight. Standing 7 foot 1 and 195 pounds his stature was questioned by some if he was prepared for the rough and tumble world of the NBA. Well Holmgren’s not grown in height but now checks in at a “massive” 208 pounds, there is no doubt for me. The youngster will have some bumps along the way as he attempts to adjust to NBA play, I could be wrong but believe he is capable. The Thunder finished last season two games below .500 so with Holmgren added to the lineup improved play is expected by management and fans of the team.

*American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

That’s actually okay for me

You’ve caught me in one of my non-ranting moves, I’ll explain. I just checked ESPN’s early Top 25 list and the Mizzou Tigers are no place in sight in any of the beauty pageants. Ordinarily I would be stomping about the house questioning why, this time I am okay allow a further explanation. Last season the first under Dennis Gates, like most in Mizzou Nation the expectations were low, after all only three players remained on the roster. All who could escape did so and that’s understandable, they had been recruited by the departed Cuonzo Martin. Kobe Brown now with the NBA Clippers remained and helped lead Mizzou to a 25-win regular season record plus an additional tournament win.

That was the best Mizzou had accomplished since the 2011-12 season when they won 30 games. Back to Gates, he recruited on the fly and produced a winning team, what occurs in year two? On paper the 2023-24 team looks stronger than last season but you know what is said, “They don’t play games on paper.” Why am I so optimistic, I can say the apparent mix of talent. Four players who could have left remained and they will provide the foundation. Veteran talent arrived in the transfer portal plus a legitimate Big Man. I hope 7 foot 5 Connor Vanover can approach the numbers he produced for Oral Roberts last season, 12.7 points and 7.2 rebounds. The SEC looks tough once again and the Mizzou roster must produce, one thing for sure they will not sneak up on anyone as they did this past season.