Basketball from a fans perspective

I wonder

Without researching the question I’m unsure, the question has any NBA Sixth Man in the Naismith Hall of Fame besides Bobby Jones? I don’t have an answer with researching the question. In any event the name might be unknown to some of you based on the time period he played plus the fact it wasn’t scoring he was known for. Bobby Jones played for Dean Smith at North Carolina and played for the Denver of the ABA but after the 1977-78 season he was traded to the Sixers. A starter with the Nuggets coach Billy Cunningham believed he would be more valuable to the team as the first reserve.

Jones would embrace the role of 6th man for those Sixer teams. Playing with teammates Dr. J., Moses Malone, Mo Cheeks along with World B. Free and others, Jones proved to be the glue that helped secure a championship for the Sixers. What is even more amazing Jones played basketball at an exceptional level while suffering health issues which might have sidelined others. Jones had asthma which I was aware prior to this account, what I didn’t realize he also had an occasional epileptic seizure plus a chronic heart disorder, all these health issues required daily medication. According to those who know him Jones would take the diplomatic route if asked about load management and today’s NBA players. I have my doubts if he played today he sit out for any reason other than injury.

Cooper Flagg…is he for real

The headline is posed as a question for one reason, we truly don’t know his ability. As for yours truly I’ve had 3-4 opportunities (television only) to view the 6-foot 9 200-pound Flagg in action. Can I say I’m impressed…yes I am however there are several concerns. The chief concern is I have the eye of a fan and not a scout, there are things coaches and scouts are able to see that escape my eyes. There are several attributes I believe Flagg holds and I will detail them for you. He is athletic, making that statement is quite difficult for me for a comparison let’s just say that’s my belief.

Second to that is Flagg appears to be a willing and accomplished passer. I have only witnessed Flagg’s play against other high school talent and he is clearly head and shoulders ahead of his competition. The question requiring an answer, in a Duke jersey can he or will he be able to adapt? Of course there is no answer for that question until next fall/winter, it might take the 2023-24 season to determine his ability. There is this to consider, if Flagg makes a smooth transition to Division I play he’s got his sophomore season to further enhance his game. He reclassified to the Class of 2024, he just turned 17 a few weeks ago. With that statement you are aware age will prevent him from entering the 2024 draft no matter what type of freshman season. It should be noted that nbadraft.net places him the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, in any event I along with others cannot wait to see him play in a Duke jersey.  

I hope I’m not wrong

I held a conversation with two friends recently, one said “We need to get together and discuss the Lakers.” The other friend I informed how displeased I was with play. He said, “They won the play-in tournament” and I said yes they did. Despite that fact since the tournament the Lakers have been on a roller coaster. Up one side and then down the other…absolutely no consistent play. My friend said, “Maybe the problem is D’Angelo Russell,” I admit he could be a contributing factor but that is not the complete problem as I see it. I like Darvin Ham but he’s got to be the key factor in the up and downplay of this team.

The Lakers were winners December 7, since that date and including the Sunday loss they have 4 wins and 8 losses. There have been some injuries however LeBron and AD have played the greater majority of these games so what’s the issue? I believe it involves the almost constant lineup changes, there appears to be no continuity with those on the floor. The Sunday loss now leaves the Lakers with a .500 record 17-17, do they have the most talent in the NBA, far from it? Does this Laker team have enough talent to play more than .500 basketball, I believe that to be the case. Finally I hope I’m wrong about Ham but there is a disconnect somewhere. From the outside it appears there is a huge problem and one I didn’t believe would exist last October.

They said what?

I believe it was mentioned I no longer listen to local sports talk radio. I did it for one reason, the incredibly stupid (and I do mean stupid) things I heard. These occurred at separate times and these were two different talk radio guys. Example number one, “Lon Kruger (then at Oklahoma) no longer wants to coach he’s holding on to the job just to collect the salary so he can go out and play golf” or something real, close.  The next one involved Kentucky coach John Calipari and this was the word provided listeners.

“Cal is no longer able to attract McDonald All American’s to Kentucky.” This statement was made last year when Kentucky’s record didn’t reflect its usual exemplary record. It should be noted that the 2023-24 season sees Kentucky either number 5 or 6 in the nation. Before you depart wondering about me I would make this statement. I have no issue with debate but provide something that makes sense. In both instances the radio host were hinting one coach no longer desired to coach while the other could no longer perform at a high level.