Basketball from a fans perspective

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Not how you start, it’s how you end

Former SportsCenter anchor Dan Patrick would use the term “En Fuego” describing a hot shooting individual. The term could be said of the Suns on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. It seemed every shot Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and company took found its way to the bottom of the basket. On the other hand my Lakers had good opportunities but were missing shots or turned the ball over. The Lakers were down 38-23 at the end of the first quarter, they managed to erase a portion of the deficit, the Suns led at the half 61-52. As the headline reads it’s not how you start, it’s how you end. Hopefully in the future this pattern of slow Laker starts will not be repeated.

For the game the Suns shot a sizzling 51.2% and 45.9% from three, as for the Lakers it was a 53.3% and 51.9% which got them back in the ballgame. JJ Redick’s offense moves AD into the leading role and once again he came to the forefront. 35 points and 8 rebounds along with 2 blocked shots, he was assisted by Austin Reaves and his 26 points and 8 assists. That other guy…LeBron James scored 21 points and he tied the assist total of Reaves with 8. The final score read Lakers 123 Suns 116, my memory is fuzzy, I cannot remember the last time a Laker team began the season 2-0. This fast start by AD in his first two games exceeds a number of greats who played for Laker teams of the past. In closing there appears to be a change, LeBron is okay with the team’s offense not coming through him. It is time to develop others on this Laker squad for the future.

“The future so bright…..”

Come on you know the rest of the title don’t you, of course you do? Okay a little help here, the 1980 pop tune by Timbuk 3, it goes “The Future’s bright I gotta wear shades.” Johnathan Kuminga of the Warriors could also be singing that tune or at least he should be if he can carry a tune. After being drafted by the Warriors with the first pick in the first round of the 2021 draft his first two seasons were spent in a reserve role. He was infused into the lineup at a point last season and demonstrated to coach Kerr that’s where he belonged. As for his background he was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuminga first took up the game in his homeland.

In 2016 he journeyed to the U.S. to begin play first at Huntington Prep in West Virginia. Later it was two other high schools before he made the decision to sign with NBA G-League Team Elite. December 18 Kuminga made his regular season debut and it’s been good news for the Warriors. Kuminga had a breakout year based on the numbers he exhibited. The 6 foot 7 225 pound Kuminga plays both forward positions and well. Across the board all the numbers registered are good, the only area in my view requiring work is shooting free throws, it’s not terrible but 74% could be raised 3-5 points. All in all Warriors management is grinning from ear to ear with the prospect of developing Kuminga as they prepare for a post-Steph Warriors team.

Heart over Height 

NBA teams have finalized their season opening rosters, in the case of one Grizzlies player it becomes Heart over Height. The player I speak of in this instance is Yuki Kawamura, he was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract. In case you might be unfamiliar I found this from Yahoo Sports, “An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, minimum salary agreement that isn’t guaranteed. It can also include an optional bonus of up to $75,000.”   

A little further background for you on Kawamura, he’s a 5 foot 8 160 pound point guard. He’s played professionally for four years in Japan and is now trying to earn a roster position in the NBA. Due to his strong play during the recent exhibition season the Grizzlies decided in favor of Kawamura and signed him to a two-way contract, a two-way contract guarantees he cannot be poached by other teams. He will likely spend some time with the G-League affiliate but could play up to 50 regular season games for the Grizzlies. When he appears on the parent team’s roster Kawamura at 5 feet 8 inches will become the shortest player in the NBA.

Bits n Pieces of information

You remember the Pac-12 don’t you…the conference once thought dead. It turns out the Pac-12 was actually on life support as moves were made to schools to replace the departed. What you are about to read is speculation only, not a single team has decided to cast its fate with the new Pac-12. The University of Memphis was mentioned however they turned the Pac-12 down, don’t go to sleep here the Tigers might change their minds at some point in the not too distant future. Also mentioned as possible additions are Tulane along with the University of South Florida and there is a possibility Texas State might be added. Naturally, any move of this type a school must be satisfied with “what’s in this for me?”

I remain convinced there are basketball programs that recruit on their own. Sure the coach is important but the name of the school ranks slightly beneath that of the coach. This is certainly no predictor of talent nor if these two are headed for Duke. Some reading this might remember former NBA veteran Theo Ratliff, he’s the father of twin sons. Adonis (6-10, 190 pounds) and Darius (6-11, 205 pounds) are seniors at Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains NY. For those unfamiliar with the name White Plains is described as an inner suburb of New York City. Most interesting for me, the twins just might wind up at different schools.

I am curious now that we have teams playing in separate buildings, for years the Clippers complained about scheduling. Of course this was caused by the Lakers and Clippers sharing Crypto.com Arena. Could the arrangement of the schedule be based on first come first serve? Briefly stated it’s my understanding that the Lakers were first to sign a lease agreement and then the NHL Kings. The Clippers signed a lease for Staples as the arena was known but this was months after the others. That is likely the basis for instances when the Clippers played an afternoon game and the Lakers the nightcap. The Clippers are playing in their own arena (Intuit Dome) would the NBA schedule the teams to play at or near the same time?