Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Bothersome

I didn’t discover the outcome until Monday morning, the score was the Lakers-Pacer game. It was available on NBA TV but I didn’t bother watching it, I have lost all confidence in this Laker team. The final score read Lakers 150 Pacers 145 so you would think I was pleased…I was only partially. The win places the Lakers in a better position to earn a slot for the play in tournament. The part unpleasurable was the final score, as evidenced by that you can conclude there wasn’t a great deal of defense played.  AD led in scoring with 36, LeBron and Spencer Dinwiddie had 26 points apiece while Austin Reaves scored 25.

The defense, how about this, the Pacers shot 55.1% and 50% from three. NBA TV re-runs games so I caught most of the third quarter and all of the 4th quarter. I wish this team could convince me they are among the NBA’s best, I’m just not sure at this point. Everyone improves however the Lakers routinely beat the Thunder and Kings as an example now both appear to be much better than my team. I will not root for the Lakers to lose, however, on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being high and 1 of course being low. The Lakers are a 5-6 for me currently.

I have doubts

There are occasions when I venture out and offer my view of an issue. That is the case here, in this instant this discussion centers on Kentucky’s John Calipari. The school’s flameout against Oakland in the NCAA Tourney has frosted the view of the coach in the eyes of many in Big Blue Nation. You and I have read reports of the school terminating his “lifetime” contract. Almost anything can occur including pigs able to fly, despite my last statement do we suppose Kentucky is willing to absorb a $33 million buyout?

That is the amount the school must pay to replace Cal as head basketball coach. That’s what it will require to terminate the contract the school agreed to. Let’s suppose Cal is tired of all the buzz surrounding his coaching and the losing in the NCAA Tourney. He could hold the administrations ‘feet to the fire,’ Cal could say “I’m not leaving until you pay me all the money due me.” He could agree to installment payments over time or the second scenario a smaller payout agreement. The smaller amount might be in the neighborhood of $15 million, or a possible third account. Despite the disappointing season at Kentucky I’m sure the coach has some allies remaining at the school. Implausible as it might appear there is another scenario that could occur. It is my belief there are basketball programs willing to hire Cal, suppose the University of _______ wants to hire him but cannot afford his salary. Do we suppose they could work out arrangements whereby they pay a portion of the buyout allowing them to hire the coach?

I’ve covered several different possibilities and don’t consider any of them concrete solutions. Finally there is this bit of information to consider, Rivals.com says Kentucky has the number two recruiting class for 2024 arriving in the fall. I understand that’s been one of the complaints about Cal and his youthful teams but you fire the guy when he’s recruited so extensively. Never say never but I believe Cal will be coaching Kentucky basketball when school begins in August, on the other hand I could be wrong, we shall see.

Watch me be wrong

My betting history is somewhat weak by most standards, it consists of Coca Cola, 7-Up or Jolly Ranchers, never any money on my part although several of you place huge sums of money on sporting events. As you can see by what I just wrote I don’t lose, if I pay for a case of Coca Cola or large bags of Jolly Ranchers that’s the extent. This disclaimer up front, please don’t take my word when placing wagers.

I agree with many others, there are no more super teams in college basketball for reasons we’ve discussed in the recent past. As to the why there are debates among you beginning with Name, Image and Likeness, One and Done along with the transfer portal plus other unnamed things. The UConn Huskies appear to be the best of the best men’s college basketball in 2024, could they be beaten…of course they can. We can question Kansas, Seton Hall or Creighton, all three schools managed to beat UConn during the season. I don’t believe anyone beats UConn on the road to a Back to Back.

DPOY

The headline reads Defensive Player of the Year, I used DPOY and was asked what it meant. I have no desire to write in code or be misunderstood in what is written. In any event Victor Wembanyama will not be named DPOY for the 2023-24 season although he could be based on his shot block skill. Rudy Gobert will likely be named DPOY again for the 4th time. Looking over past winners I noticed an interesting trend, the first two years the award was given out (1983 & 1984) Sidney Moncrief a guard was named the winner.

In 1986 guard Alvin Robertson was named the winner followed by Michael Jordan in 1988. From that point up till 1996 the front-runner was always a center or forward, guard Gary Payton was honored in 1996. From that point up to 2022 when Marcus Smart won DPOY you might note few guards have been named DPOY…the question might be asked why? In 41 years of NBA we find few instances when a guard’s name was placed on the trophy. I have no answer for the question I posed maybe you do. If you don’t have an answer maybe you might have a thought as to the why.