Basketball from a fans perspective

44

That number is famous for several reasons, baseball great Hank Aaron wore the number. The late Hall of Fame player might be familiar to most sports fans. In the NBA 44 was on the jersey of Jerry West and George “Iceman” Gervin along with Derrick Coleman. Pete Maravich wore the number while a member of the Hawks although he later sported number 7. On Thursday evening in the play in tournament the Lakers performed a beat-down on the Pelicans 133-89, a 44-point difference. Prior to the game I was concerned if the Lakers were prepared to play. Worst yet was a pre-game story I read on a website that indicated the Pelicans could be trouble for the Lakers.

The game played in Las Vegas was earlier than the normal 9:30 p.m. start time in Kansas City so I was able to see the event in its entirety. LeBron James set the tone early and the balance of the roster followed his lead. The LeBron numbers are unbelievable for a 38-year-old guy, they might be incredible for any NBA player. 30 points on 75% shooting from the floor, 100% from three…100% from the line 5 rebounds and 8 assists. AD had another double-double game with 16 points and 16 rebounds on 50% shooting. Austin Reaves came off the bench with 17 points and 7 assists, the Lakers had six players score in double figures. What occurs in the game tonight against the Pacers, I have no idea…I hope the Lakers win but I can’t guarantee anything I’m just a fan of the Purple and Gold.

You don’t know his name

You are at that point, you rack your brain trying to remember a name. You then begin a website search which fails to provide the answer, that was me. I knew of him but could only remember the school and not his name. There was an all-out effort on my part to determine his name, friends informed me it was Lucius T. Mitchell I had found so difficult to uncover. Mitchell is one of those names from the rich history of basketball few can recall (like me).

Mitchell had several coaching stops over the course of his career at HBCU schools, it was Alabama State, Kentucky State and Norfolk State. It would be Kentucky State where he made history and joined a small select number of coaches in basketball annals. Led by Elmore Smith and Travis Grant his Kentucky State team won three consecutive NAIA Championships, 1970, 1971 and 1972. This achievement has only been accomplished by three other coaches in the history of the game, the legendary John Wooden at UCLA, John McClendon Tennessee A&I (now State) and Mitchell at Kentucky State. Over a 15-year coaching career his teams won 325 games losing 103, he was National Coach of the Year in 1970 and 1971.

Elmore Smith and Travis Grant were key contributors to the three-time championship winning Kentucky State teams. Why his name is only known to a few is unclear but it should be. Does he belong in the College Basketball Hall of Fame, I think so but I have no vote and I’m only a party of one? What do you think, should Mitchell be selected at some date in the future? It would have been his crowning glory to be honored prior to his death, Mitchell passed away at the age of 74 February 23, 2010.

Just shut up

Normally I’m not as blunt as the headline above but there is a basis for it. The headline, “Fans are disappointed in Victor Wembanyama” I thought disappointed in what?  I didn’t bother with reading the account but wanted to check out a few things. Number one, Wemby is a teenager, I realize he’s in the NBA but he won’t turn 20 until January. The second consideration is adjustment period, there is a vast difference between playing for the Spurs and Metropolitans 92. I don’t believe it to be better but certainly much fairer to compare Wemby to his fellow rookie Chet Holmgren. That might not be correct for two reasons, the Thunder are much better than the Spurs plus the Thunder power forward’s a year ahead of Wemby.

Repeating the story again, Holmgren missed what should have been his rookie year due to injury. Although Holmgren is a rookie too he’s got a year head start over Wemby. First you love Wemby than you point out all the stuff he doesn’t do well, are you ever satisfied. This won’t stop anything but this is what I see up to the early part of December. I see a highly skilled basketball player who stands 7 feet 4 inches in height, he is able to do stuff few have his athletic ability or talent. We are unable to peer into the future, however, barring any type of major injury Wemby is a keeper. He is a unique athlete talent and practically every NBA team would love the opportunity to add him to their roster.

Back on the court

The medical team for Southern Cal cleared Bronny James, according to accounts he will see limited action tomorrow in his team’s game against Long Beach State. I re-read it again, young James suffered cardiac arrest due to a congenital heart defect. A bunch of words that place fear in the heart of this writer. Medical people continue to inform us Bronny didn’t suffer a heart attack, okay was it similar to the emergency the Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered last January 2nd?

According to what I read no, Hamlin also suffered cardiac arrest however his medical condition was described as commotio cordis resulting from a blow to the chest. Am I a NERVOUS NED about seeing Bronny and Hamlin on the basketball court and football field, you’d better bet I am. In some instances I believe a person’s well-being should take priority over playing a sport. Who becomes the decider in this matter, it can’t be the athlete because they look at the subject entirely different than someone who is not participating in the sport.