Basketball from a fan’s perspective

She can hoop

If you’ve read this blog any length of time you realize coverage of the women’s game has been limited. Now and again there is a talent or game which demands a look. That was the case Monday evening as Iowa’s Caitlin Clark faced off against Angel Reese of LSU. This will be short, after seeing highlights of Clark in action to see her in a full game was quite enlightening. Clark scored 41 points dished out 12 assists and grabbed 7 rebounds as Iowa bested LSU 94-87. Sports media has focused on the shooting of Clark, most impressive to me was her bullet passes to teammates leading to assists. I intend to follow her no matter if she remains at Iowa or heads for the WNBA next season.

“Ceiling is off”

The headline above is veteran NBA media guy Bill Simmons and his description of Victor Wembanyama. He claims, “There might not be a ceiling for Wemby and this youngster might be the best center in the NBA since Kareem Abdul Jabbar.”  Don’t throw rocks at me those are the words of Simmons not me. He compares the numbers of Wemby versus Kareem, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon. I will spare you the details and simply say Wemby’s numbers are akin.

This has been mentioned on so many occasions that the Spurs are simply not a good team. Tuesday evening they were losers against the Nuggets 110-105, as for Wemby he might have had his worst game shooting thus far this season. 31% from the floor 50% from the free throw line however the balance of the box score was noteworthy. Wemby scored 23 points and pulled down 15 rebounds along with 8 assists. Oh by the way he also registered 9 blocked shots in the game. Wemby was named Rookie of the Month for the third month in a row, the NBA should initial his name in for April as well.

Bits n Pieces 

What should we have expected? Sunday was game number 25 since Doc Rivers took over for Adrian Griffin. Bucks management had a basis for replacing Adrian Griffin however from where I sit it was confusing to me. Under the departed Griffin the Bucks were 30 wins and 13 losses, the current record is 47-27 which places them near the top of Eastern Conference teams however there is an issue. Under Rivers the Bucks are three games above .500 with a 17-14 record. It was clear I am no fan of the coach, I don’t dislike him his coaching ability is overrated in my view. The playoffs are fast approaching, we shall uncover the truth of Doc Rivers coaching.

I have no control over this matter however change is in the air for college basketball. I’m unsure if this will occur prior to next season but it will happen. The transfer portal as it exists in college basket is unlikely to disappear, despite this statement adjustments will be made in the manner it is implemented. There are probably a large number of coaches who voice concerns with portal issues however UConn’s Dan Hurley’s made his complaints known. “Players change schools like underwear” was his comment about the portal. An additional issue was the period the portal opens the day after NCAA Tourney teams are chosen. What do I see as possible changes, the first one is a limit on the number of times a player can transfer schools. The time period the portal opens and closes will be adjusted.

Apparently as they might say it was all smoke and mirrors, there was nothing really there. Someone who should know offers his explanation why the A-Rod deal to purchase the Wolves failed to materialize. David Samson former owner of the baseball Marlins claims A-Rod never had enough money to acquire the Wolves in the first place. We have no idea how the partnership was to work since Marc Lore was also involved in the attempted purchase of the team. All the negotiations were done between owner Glen Taylor and the A-Rod/Lore team. The public is left with this information from Taylor he is “negotiating with the partners.”

The Lakers and Celtics have been long time rivals, they are tied for NBA championships with 17. Naturally going back to the 1950’s up to the present day the teams have squared off against one another numerous times. Despite this lengthy rivalry, unlike other NBA teams few have played for both teams. On Tuesday it was announced Rajon Rondo was retiring, some might remember Rondo was one of the keys to the 2020 championship won by the Lakers. This was his second championship having won in 2008 while a member of the Celtics. That other player who played for both franchises, Clyde Lovellette. Lovellette (1951-1964) won more than one, he played for the Minneapolis Lakers from 1953-1957, later it was the Celtics 1962-1964. Lovellette won a championship for the Lakers (1954) and two for the Celtics (1963, 1964).