Basketball from a fans perspective

Best of the Best

I came across a website where the writer selected the best basketball player from each state. I had few criticisms but I guess most of the choices are understandable. As an example for the State of New Jersey Shaquille O’Neal was selected although his game blossomed after growing up in Texas. In Missouri Bradley Beal was chosen ignoring Bill Bradley and Jo Jo White who played earlier. In addition in Missouri (or Kansas) the name of Warren Jabali is added.

As for Kansas it was Alvan Adams although he grew up in Oklahoma. Louisiana named Bill Russell, he too grew his game in California. One additional name to mention is Oscar Robertson, he was selected for the State of Tennessee his birthplace but it was Ohio where he expanded his game. Michael Jordan was chosen, not for North Carolina rather his place of birth, New York. As for Missouri the author failed to take in history when making the selection. Don’t toss rocks at me, Bradley Beal is a worthy name to consider but so are Bill Bradley, Jo Jo White and Warren Jabali. Next door in the State of Kansas ignored in this poll were Lucius Allen along with Jabali.

You are asking two questions, the first WHO is Warren Jabali and second why is he listed in Missouri and Kansas? I’m glad you asked the question and I am pleased to answer it. Warren Armstrong (Jabali) was born in Kansas City Kansas but played his high school basketball on the Kansas City Missouri side. So there you have it, a brief look at the best basketball players from each state. Maybe like me you have concerns about the choices.

Mizzou-Pitt

Prior to Tuesday evening Mizzou had never played Pitt, this road match for Mizzou was part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. Mizzou upheld its part beating a tough Pitt team 71-64.  This one was unusual in a number of areas, first of all Mizzou outrebounded Pitt. Yes, that is no typo, the stat line read Mizzou 36 rebounds Pitt 33. That was not the only interesting stat line, Mizzou was 45% from the floor while Pitt shot 34% that’s a fact.

Pitt actually shot better in the first half of the game, the second half saw Mizzou step up its defensive effort. What pleased me most, the determination and effort to endure the run of Pitt and the hostile crowd. After Pitt was able to shoot in the 40’s for the first half, Mizzou’s tough defense forced them to subpar shooting for much of the second half. Mizzou point guard Nick Honor went 0-6 from the floor, which was also an anomaly, but that was it. Sean East led the way in scoring for Mizzou with 21 points. He was ably assisted by Noah Carter with 13 and Tamar Bates contributed 12 points. 7 foot 5 Connor Vanover emerged from the bench providing 6 points. The announcer mentioned Vanover is still trying to adjust to the system Mizzou runs.

This was the 3rd win in a row however it was the best, South Carolina State and Loyola Maryland were wins but incomplete in my view. This victorious effort against Pitt was continuous from start to finish. This you might find just as interesting regarding the lineup Mizzou used. In the post-game press conference the coach said, “Sean East texted me at 2:00 a.m. in the morning and suggested the starting lineup for the game.”

Are we watching the same game?

It’s long been my opinion you are entitled to yours…that’s a fact. You are entitled until you make a statement that is incredibly stupid and easy to be contradicted. In this instance I speak of Marquette’s Shaka Smart and his record, a “fan” viewing or reading of the Bill Self-Smart fuss had this to say about their recent game. Allow me to state this upfront, I’m a Shaka Smart fan, have been for quite a time.

“Smart’s not won anything in 12 years,” this was probably a reference to the Final Four run his VCU team made in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

If this person had bothered to check the coaches won loss record he'd discover the fact he is a winner at more than one coaching stop. At the time Smart departed for the University of Texas his VCU record read 136-56 .744 percentage. I must admit his time at Texas was not as successful as I believed it would be he left with a record of 109-86 .559. Arriving at Marquette in the 2021-22 season his teams have registered marks of 53-21 .716, at all three coaching stops Smart’s had only one losing season in nearly 14 years as a head coach. As for my letter writer there are two schools of thought, he doesn’t like Smart or failed to look at his coaching record. In either case I maintain he should conduct a little more research before sitting down in front of his laptop to compose a letter.

You must have money to make money

I cannot provide you a name or the origin of the headline, as evidence of following the money in this instance we can look at Mavs owner Mark Cuban. There are reports Cuban intends to sell the majority share of the franchise to the Adelson family for a reported $2 billion. The Mavs were purchased in 2000 by Cuban for $285 million, I would say that’s quite an appreciable return based on his acquisition cost. The report further indicates Cuban is not selling all stock in the Mavs franchise.

Cuban would remain in place as governor of the team, in that role he will attend league meetings covering a variety of subjects. In addition to that continuing responsibility he will retain control of all basketball operations. A sale of this magnitude is not easily achieved, there will be weeks and weeks of vetting by the NBA regarding the purchaser. Think about this a moment, Cuban is selling the majority ownership of the franchise but will continue running the basketball side of operations. In addition to the financial reward for Cuban in control of the basketball might be the best of the best should this sale be culminated.