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Basketball from a fans perspective

 

“Strong college basketball is great for the NBA”    

 

David Stern

“I don’t think he played a big role”

LaVar Ball has a big mouth, whatever comes up comes out whether it makes sense or not. Ball claims Phil Jackson played a very little role in the Bulls success while he coached them. The complete quote reads, “I don’t think he (Jackson) played a big role. I think they (Bulls) believed in him and let him do what they do.” Figure that statement out if you care but onward with this account. It’s really remarkable if you have a coach that’s great with X’s and O’s but is it a priority? The statement is made for several reasons, Jackson was magnificent in my view massaging egos and maintaining a close nit group of athletes…that was his job. As for the X’s and O’s for the most part that was Tex Winter’s job.

Massaging egos might be as important as the playbook, we can debate that. How about a check of the UCLA Bruins, the NCAA Tournament was different back then but it was still a minefield. UCLA managed to win 7 NCAA Tournaments in a row. Someone once said John Wooden was the perfect coach, anyone else might have messed it up. I have no desire to confuse the issue, a team whether its college or the NBA must have talented players. Those talented players must buy in to what the coaching staff is selling. Although I could find basketball examples I’m going to the NFL. All the championships won by the Patriots Tom Brady made a move to the Bucs and won there too. As for the Jackson guy he moved to the Lakers and won three consecutive NBA championships. We can debate the issues however we’ve got to agree LaVar Ball is quite an interesting guy.

He made it

Former Mizzou guard D’Moi Hodge made the final cut. Number 55 is now a Laker, how much playing time he receives is an unknown at this time. It’s likely if Hodge’s playing time becomes limited he will likely be moved to the G-League South Bay Lakers. Hodge went undrafted in the 2023 draft but indicated he was okay with that, he indicated he wanted the opportunity to select his team and that team would be the Lakers. Even more interesting he joins teammate Austin Reaves who also went the free agent route going undrafted in 2021. In addition to earning a spot as a free agent Hodge has this on his resume. He becomes the first player from the British Virgin Islands to play in the NBA. This from Wikipedia, the British Virgin Islands are comprised of four main islands and many smaller ones, it’s located east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.  

What occurs 

The Big XII conference will look quite different for the 2023-24 season, new teams are Cincinnati, UCF, Houston and BYU. The Kansas Jayhawks are ranked number one in the nation, will they make quick work of the new competition? As most are aware Houston basketball was outstanding last season. Kelvin Sampson’s crew won 33 games while losing only 4 and the last one was in the Sweet Sixteen against Miami. UCF finished last season with 19 wins but lost 16, BYU finished the season with a 19-15 record. Note, not one of the new additions finished below .500.

I finish this account with a check on Cincinnati, also earning an NCAA berth, the Bearcats experienced a 23-win 13 loss season before elimination in the tournament. On the surface it would appear Houston and Cincinnati would be the most forceful additions to the conference. The main reason I’m unsure of a Big XII finish is based on a variety of issues. In addition there is the “Dennis Gates” factor residing with the contingent of new teams. You are aware of the Gates factor aren’t you? Last season Mizzou played outstanding basketball under a new coach. None of these teams have new coaches however there is the possibility the teams could play beyond what was expected of them. As this is written I have no idea who left, who returns and who arrives for the four new additions. This I can say with assurance, each of the newbies will be competitive.

A new name

He’s headed for a pro career rather than college, his name is Rocco Zikarsky. A little background information on Zikarsky, his personal stats are 7 foot 3 and 250 pounds. Rather than Duke, Michigan or Southern Cal his choice would be the Brisbane Bullets of the Australian National Basketball League. According to his bio information Zikarsky has played the past two seasons for the NBA Global Academy in Brisbane Australia.

He indicates the main reason he chose a pro career was a “perfect storm” scenario that came about. Zikarsky said this, 1. “Being able to train daily with my Under-17 Australian national team coaches, alongside one of my idols Aron Baynes, in my hometown, for my home club, in the NBL, with my family close by, is a dream come true.” His statement is certainly understandable on several levels, at the age of 17 don’t expect his name to be called in the 2024 NBA Draft although it could occur. In any event keep his name in your memory, Rocco Zikarsky.

1. ESPN

Not if but when

The NBA expands the two new franchises Seattle and Las Vegas are on Pacific Time. Both teams will be placed in the Western Conference and that becomes a problem…balance. Two existing Western Conference teams will be moved to the east for balance, who are the leading candidates? What’s interesting all are on Central Time but here are my candidates for a move. Oklahoma City Thunder, at present the Thunder are in the Northwest Division due to the franchise move from Seattle. This team has got to be at the top of the list to move. Second could see two teams become Eastern Conference members, the Grizzlies makes sense for at least one reason location.

I’m going to become technical for you, the latitude and longitude of Memphis is 35.1495, degrees North and 90.0490 degrees West. As for Chicago it’s 41.8781 degrees North, 87.6298 degrees West. It’s stating the two cities are not close in road mileage but are near in latitude and longitude. The Chicago Bulls have been Eastern Conference members since they first began play in the NBA in 1966. The last team to consider is New Orleans and again history plays a role here. The franchise began play as the Hornets in Charlotte and were in the Eastern Conference, once they moved to New Orleans in 2002 they shifted play to the Western Conference. I’m sure a few might consider the Wolves prime candidates to move after all Minnesota is a Central Time Zone team too. Despite this fact I don’t think so, on the other and I could be wrong. Let’s face it two of the teams will surly relocate, at this date it remains unclear which one.