Basketball from a fans perspective

“I think the good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice”

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Thin Twins

Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren played on Saturday evening. Wemby’s Spurs were losers to the Grizzlies 120-108, he was quite impressive despite the loss. Wemby scored 19 points pulled down 13 rebounds along with 4 assists and 8 blocked shots. Holmgren’s Thunder was a winner primarily thanks to him. A turn around 3-point jump shot sent the game against the Warriors into OT, in the extra session the Thunder prevailed 130-123. Holmgren’s numbers are 36 points along with 10 rebounds including that tough shot sending the game into OT.

We have plenty of NBA remaining including the playoff brand, this is no prediction of the future but here goes. Without a check I’m unsure how many games Wemby’s played, as for Holmgren January should be a truer test. It’s often claimed by the end of January basketball players will have played about the same number of games they would have in college. Wemby and Holmgren have suffered rookie miscues which certainly should be expected. I feel comfortable saying this, barring injury I believe Wemby and Holmgren are the NBA’s future, the association must promote them as much as possible. I am no longer concerned about the weight issue concerning the two, both will gain muscle which will add poundage.

The other Tigers were the winners

In this instance I’m referring to the Jackson State Tigers rather than the Mizzou Tigers. Those other Tigers won a close match 73-72 however it’s a little misleading, not the score but the stats. Mizzou actually outshot Jackson State 49.1% to 45.2. The 12 steals by Jackson State and the 18 turnovers by Mizzou were a contributing factor to the loss. I can also point to 3 missed free throws down the stretch and numerous mental mistakes made during the course of the game. 

The downside those other Tigers came into the match with 0 wins, yes…they were 0-5. I suppose you thought I would provide a "vanilla" commentary of the game, when you stink there is no method to remove the stench. Congratulations Mizzou you allowed a losing team to win their first game of the season. Relax Mizzou Nation, this is written by an upset member, by now I’ve settled down and anxiously await the next opponent. Hint, don’t assume games are mail in’s, given the right set of circumstances any team can beat any other one.

Mark Jackson part III

I cannot do adequate justice to the Mark Jackson IG this past weekend. Allow me to state the former NBA player, coach and analyst defended himself quite well in my view. As you are aware Knicks president Leon Rose released a statement indicating the team had no desire to hire Jackson as an occasional broadcast partner. We on the public side can only take in the information provided us by both parties. As per usual I have no desire to influence you to one side or the other.

Despite my declaration I have chosen a side, I am favoring Mark Jackson on this issue. The Knicks are playing better basketball as this is written so I cannot moan about the won-loss matter. I can complain about management, it begins at the top and it begins and ends at the desk of James Dolan. It’s appeared in the recent past Dolan has not always provided the type of leadership one might expect from the executive chairman and chief executive officer of the billion-dollar MSG Corporation.

The Warriors MVP

I’m not speaking of Steph nor Klay, this excludes new guy Chris Paul. The MVP at least my belief has to be Draymond Green however he’s not available. Just in case you’ve been somewhere with limited communication this is the story. Green is suspended for 5 games by the NBA, as per usual he becomes his own worst enemy. A tie up with Rudy Gobert and a Green WWE choke hold on Gobert led to the suspension. You might remember a few weeks ago prior to the season start. I wrote my belief the Warriors might be the smallest team in the NBA by height alone. Green’s 6-foot 6-inch height fails to tell the story of his rebounding and defensive skill.

I believe there might be no argument now the Warriors are the shortest team in the NBA but wait there’s more. The initial question that comes to mind, how valuable are you to your team sitting on the sidelines. It would be a different matter if Green were injured. Warriors coach Steve Kerr, “He took it too far.” Draymond was wrong. He knows that. It’s a bad look, and the five games are deserved.” What’s most interesting to me is his mood, why must you always defend your adulthood? He’s a 2012 2^nd round draft choice taken with pick number 35 which certainly indicates grit and determination. The world knows what a tough guy you are, why is it necessary to detail it by going beyond the bounds of play on the court?

Kansas City in the NBA

1985 was the last time (other than exhibition) Kansas City saw the NBA. Despite that fact there remains an NBA presence in the area. The first name to mention is Tyronn Lue Clippers coach, after an NBA playing career Lue moved into the coaching ranks. Although he’s originally from Mexico Missouri Lue’s high school basketball was played at Raytown High School located in Raytown a KC suburb. Alec Burks currently has the longest tenure beginning year number 16, he’s with the Pistons. Burks played for Grandview High School also a suburban part of KC. The Jazz have shooting guard Ochai Agbaji on the roster, Agbaji played at Oak Park High School and Kansas University. Agbaji’s former Kansas teammate Christian Braun won an NBA Championship last season with the Nuggets.

Braun played his high school basketball at Blue Valley Northwest in suburban Overland Park Kansas. Point guard Jacob Gilyard graduated from Barstow High School and split time between the Grizzlies and their G-League team. We also mention Landry Shamet, he played his high school basketball at Park Hill. He’s played for a select number of NBA teams and is now with the Wizards. We close this Kansas City report with the name Ish Wainwright now a member of the Blazers. He begin play at Raytown South High School but finished at Montrose Christian School in Maryland. The number of Kansas City area players in the NBA is not enormous but it provides us proof area high school coaches continue to produce talent good enough to play in the NBA.