Basketball from a fans perspective

Work In Progress

The headline is a term which may have fallen out of favor in recent years. It simply implies whatever is undertaken sometimes cannot be resolved quickly, it is often a slow time-consuming process. That is the case for Bronny James Jr. and his development as an NBA player. He was nervous, I realize that without any requirement for him to validate it. It was his first NBA game, in addition a national television audience was tuned into see him play as a pro, trust me he was nervous.

He bricked most of the shots he took, I remember two came off the rim at nearly the same speed he launched them. Bronny had a neat steal as he slid over into the passing lane to intercept one. In 22 minutes he managed to score 4 points on 2 for 9 shooting from the floor, there were 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Bronny’s Lakers were losers to the Kings 108-94, stay tuned for Game 2 on Sunday against the Warriors. There will be no Game 2 for Bronny, he is sidelined with knee soreness, we must wait to see him in action later.

A change prior to the season

The Spurs front office was pleased able to draft the talented Stephon Castle, at the time of the draft it was mentioned by a number of the media Castle would likely move into the starters role at the point. By all accounts to me Castle by is a combo guard and it was believed Victor Wembanyama might be the biggest beneficiary of this draft prospect. We’ll that’s changed now and it has nothing to do with Castle’s lack of ability to play the role of point guard. The Warriors released Chris Paul and the CP3 not ready to retire looked for a local he could start rather play a reserve role. That location turned out to be San Antonio Texas. 

Once training camp begins in October Coach Pop might turn things around. He could have Paul playing with the second unit although I doubt that might occur with Castle penciled in at the point. It’s more likely we see a lineup with Paul at the point and Castle at shooting guard. Who benefits the most from this new lineup, in my view it’s Wemby and Castle with veteran CP3 playing the point? I checked Castle’s numbers at UConn, although his numbers certainly were good especially in the NCAA Tournament there is an area needing improvement. His shooting from three needs lots and lots of work, the numbers he registered at UConn are far below that of most in the NBA. So there you have it my belief Paul moves into the starter role at the point and Castle at shooting guard.

Of course they entitled to their own opinions

There might be a belief I hate the local sports talk radio crew. That includes 610 and 810 AM in Kansas City, that’s not the case, these guys and everyone else are entitled to their opinion. The area that causes my blood pressure to rise are some of the incredibly stupid…yes I use the word stupid comments come from. On 610 you say, “If Reed Shepherd gets drafted number 3 this is a weak draft.” The statement is made and in the very next breath you admit “I’m not familiar with most of the guys in this draft.” Which statement is the radio audience to believe? On Friday, the afternoon crew on 810 decided to look at the way to early NBA 2025 NBA mock draft.

“There are only 2 Kansas players out of 55 in next year’s draft” said one of the co-host. The other guy then chimes in “I know Bill Self will have them improved by the end of the season.” That’s an opinion, there is no method to validate what was said. I just attempt to write a blog from an amateur standpoint, I claim 0 expertise in this area only that of a basketball fan. I’ve held conversations at work about the NFL someone will say “You know him, he plays for the Buffalo Bills.” Guess what I probably don’t know him for a single reason, I pay far more attention to basketball and the NBA than any other sport. I cannot come close to naming names on any of the major league baseball teams or NFL football teams. For the most part the names of individuals in the realm of basketball I’m familiar with…not so much for the other professional sports.

Mark Few

I could use the old Rodney Dangerfield line, ‘I don’t get no respect.’ That was the case for the late comedian and the present dilemma for Gonzaga coach Mark Few. Whenever Gonzaga basketball is mentioned it’s always “They play in that weak conference” or “They never win in the NCAA Tournament.” The West Coast Conference is similar to many others, it certainly isn’t as strong as the SEC, Big XII or Big 10. It might be on the same level as the A-10 or Big South.

As for the other issue plenty of schools don’t win in the tournament. Currently there are only four coaches (Self, Calipari, Hurley and Rick Pitino) with NCAA championship credentials behind their name. Let’s check the coaching record for Few, lifetime there are 716 wins versus 143 losses (.834). His lowest win total was registered in his third year at the school, Gonzaga finished that season with a 24-9 record 12-2 in the conference. By the way, if you are unsure who Rodney Dangerfield is check this short video of him out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCVR_ajL_Eo

Is LeBron a problem

Laker fans might be sayin’ about now, “I miss the days of Jerry West” of course he was the architect behind the Showtime Lakers. Heck, Laker fans might be making the same statement about Mitch Kupchak who replaced West. What is going on with the Lakers hierarchy, could LeBron be a problem? At one time the Lakers were believed to be one of the savviest teams in the NBA, you name it whether it was the draft…trading for players or free agency. The Lakers excelled at acquiring players in all facets mentioned, how about James Worthy, Kobe, Shaq and Dwight Howard to name just a few?

At the time Jeanie Buss fired her brother along with Kupchak it was believed by fans the Lakers were on the championship road. After all the team had suffered through some unlike Laker seasons. Despite the promise we can look back at this point and see only one championship banner (2020) hoisted in Staples (Crypto.com). There have been numerous changes specifically the salary cap since the days of West/Kupchak. That one factor alone might be the basis for the inability to attract players, perhaps they don’t have the financing they once had. There is one final issue to be mentioned, could playing alongside LeBron be a hindrance in attracting talent to the Lakers? I’m only posing the questions I have no answer regarding the finances of the team nor the LeBron factor.