Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Billy Loes

I read this story once upon a time, the Brooklyn Dodgers Billy Loes was a good pitcher. Every season Loes would win 17-19 games, he never crossed the threshold. Up to this point he’d never won 20 games in a season, Loes was cornered by a media member, “How come you can’t win 20 games, it seems every season you get close.” Loes response was interesting, “If I win 20 games they will expect me to do that every season.” By now you are wondering the connection between this baseball story and basketball.

I will now explain, Sunday evening Anthony Davis had a game for the ages. He led the way for the Lakers in their 120-109 victory over the Wolves and established an NBA record. In 39 minutes AD had 27 points, 25 rebounds, 5 assist and 7 steals in the victory. Up to Sunday night no one in NBA history had ever had a point-rebound-steal total at the same level of AD. You could poo-paw this effort since KAT and Rudy Gobert were both absent from the game. As for the relationship to the Loes story its simple, I expect continued good play from AD…I don’t expect a similar game every night comparable to this.

The Bearcats  

Maryville Missouri is located slightly over 100 miles north of Kansas City, Northwest Missouri State University is located there. Some of the best basketball in the nation is played by the Bearcats. Oh you say you are not familiar with the school or the fact laid out for you, probably because they play a NCAA Division II schedule. These schools don’t receive near the amount of national coverage as the D-I programs receive, that fails to take into consideration many play outstanding basketball and Northwest Missouri State is one of them.

Don’t expect NBA draft picks to emerge from this program and others, I’m sure they have sent players to pro leagues other than the NBA. As for the Bearcats as this is written they have a 25-4 overall record and in the MIAA the record is 20-2. It’s not just this year, check this out. Coach Ben McCollum in year 13 has led his Bearcats to NCAA Division II Championships in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022. Although McCollum should receive credit for much of the recent success winning has always been in the forefront. Check this out, the school began play back in 1914, the Bearcats have won 1,494 games while losing 976 for a .605 winning percentage. That should provide proof of the past, McCollum’s teams over the last 13 years have continued the established pattern of winning basketball.

Bits n Pieces 

“He’s not very strong” the quote of Rockets center Alperen Segun after facing Victor Wembanyama in their recent meeting. His words are understandable for two reasons, he’s got years on the rookie plus weight. Allow an explanation of both, although Segun is but 21 years of age this is the middle of his third year in the NBA. Segun has adjusted his game from play in Turkey versus the U.S., the other and main issue is weight. When he says Wemby is not strong that too is understandable. Segun has a 33-pound advantage over the rookie. No argument from me Segun went to town on Wemby, despite this fact the youngster held his own blocking 2-3 of the shots put up by Segun. Rest assured Wemby’s probably reading what Segun stated and is mentally preparing himself for their next match.

Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas has a podcast, that’s caused him to become a lightning rod for controversy. For every 5 issues he takes up I disagree with 4 of them. Of course the stance is his alone, however there is no requirement for me to agree with his view of a subject. The latest example, which is really impossible, Arenas “wants the NBA to ban international players.”  What might you suppose is the basis for his stance…it’s defense. It’s his opinion NBA defenses have gotten worse since the influx of international players. My response to his statement is simple, prove it…provide us an example or several examples of why you believe this problem exists in today’s NBA.

This will not be pleasing news to some it is for me. Dick Vitale former coach and ESPN analyst announced he’s got his voice back. Diagnosed with vocal cord cancer and of course that meant he was unable to resume his broadcast career this fall and winter. Surgery on his vocal cords has been successful allowing him to return to the game he loves. 84-year-old Vitale has set a target date of November 2024 to return to the mic. I’m excited although a bunch of you are unhappy, not with the successful surgery but the fact he’s coming back. Face it the man loves the game, his health challenge was the only reason he missed this season. Welcome back Dickie V., most of us are ready for your quotes.

Get ready

Fans of Jayhawk Nation are in the process of discovery, they have come to a reality. Some will understand Bill Self is not a magician, he no longer commands the room (or the conference) as his Jayhawks once did. If you think this is a “I hate Bill Self” rant forget that it’s a reality check for fans of the program. If you check the standings KU remains in an advantageous position, they will earn a tournament invite this season.

We’ve seen a bit of the future, Houston has proven quite an adversary in its first year in the Big XII. At least for now Baylor always provides KU a tough game. Iowa State could also be included in the number too. It only gets tougher going forward, next season Arizona arrives and begins conference play. That’s only a portion of the story, Name Image & Likeness will only increase over the next several years. The latter affects recruiting which says the field has leveled, no longer can Bill Self walk into a room and a 5-star prospect will automatically sign with KU. In closing, don’t misunderstand this outlook as I see it KU’s advantage in recruiting will recede a bit in the future.