Basketball from a fans perspective

Published daily except Tuesdays & Thursdays

Mizzou did it again

Remember what I wrote about SEC men’s basketball? “Win all your games at home and steal one or two on the road,” this Mizzou game wasn’t on the road. Ole Miss was the number 16 team in the nation and were the visitors, I didn’t know a great deal about Ole Miss except they had an outstanding record prior to the early evening match yesterday. It was a team victory for Mizzou, of the starters guard Tamar Bates led the way with 14 points, firepower off the bench came from Caleb Grill scoring 25 points.

The chief area of concern for me has always been rebounds and Mizzou managed to come out on top 39 to 28. Mizzou shot a scorching 44% from three. Am I surprised with the victory, to a degree but this team continues to provide to all this is not the same Mizzou team that stumbled through much of last season. This becomes win number 16 overall and they now have 5 conference wins. I hate to look too far ahead but I can say this with confidence, every win going forward especially in the tough SEC is good for the resume. Mizzou now gets a break until their February 1 game on the road against Mississippi State.

The NBA Internationally speaking

This past Thursday afternoon and late yesterday morning (our time) the Spurs and Pacers played games in the NBA Paris Games 2055, the outcome of each game was significant however it was the other thing. The NBA continues to expand the game on an international basis. This international emphasis began under the late David Stern at the time he was NBA commissioner. Until I began to research this subject I had no idea the number of international regular season games that have been played to date.

We must return to 1990 to uncover the first regular season international NBA game played, it was Suns and Jazz in Tokyo Japan. There have been 11 games played at several locations in Japan, 9 in London England. 13 in Mexico City and 5 played in Paris. During the commissioner’s press conference a member of the media from Germany asked the question, “When will Germany get an NBA game?” The commissioner didn’t provide an answer however Adam Silver made note the number of German players in the NBA.

Who are your best   

If you were asked to assemble a starting five NBA team who’s on it and why? There is so much worthwhile talent to choose from so my list certainly might be different from yours. My team will have two guards, two forwards and a center, with that said here goes. Based on his potential and what I’ve witnessed to date Victor Wembanyama is my center. I know he’s “only” 235 pounds but the total package he presents will not allow me to place him anywhere else except at center. 21-year old Paolo Banchero of the Magic is my power forward, his total game is among the best in the NBA. I have a friend who indicates he’s a Celtic fan, despite this fact he picks on Jayson Tatum. That is not me, the 26-year old Dukee is the key to the success of this franchise and my small forward.

The guard positions are difficult because of this fact alone, Chris Paul is the last true point guard remaining. There is no one behind him, there are plenty of combo guards so among them I must choose the best for my team. My point guard (combo) is Shai-Gilgeous Alexander of the Thunder, looking at his numbers tell me something SGA doesn’t do well. Finally we arrive at shooting guard, while this cause some concern on my part I ultimately made a choice. Would it be 28-year old Devin Booker of the Suns or 25-year old Jordan Poole of the Wizards as my pick? I am going with Booker based on his volume of work, he becomes my shooting guard. I am comfortable with all my choices with the exception of my shooting guard. What about yours, what is the composition of your team?

I’m pleased

If you’ve read this blog any length of time you are aware of my belief, I have long maintained there was no merger between the American Basketball Association and the NBA in 1976. Using the term “merger” might sound more friendly than a takeover which in essence is what really occurred. Practically everything we read indicates the ABA would soon go out of business, the ABA would likely have been forced to shut down by 1978 at the earliest, 1980 at the latest from what I’ve been able to determine by reading the history.   

Back to the terminology a moment, I’ve never read any term other than merger until recently. An ESPN story regarding Maverick Carter’s attempt to start a new basketball league, this from that article. “The NBA has not faced a significant rival 5-on-5 league since the 1970s, when it merged with the short-lived American Basketball Association and absorbed four of its teams—the Pacers, Nets, Nuggets and Spurs.” I underlined and bold printed the word I wanted you to focus on. To my knowledge I believe this to be the case, the word merger continues to be utilized by many in the media that is far from correct and it appears to be the case for this ESPN writer as well.

Best of the best

The Chicago Bulls born of expansion in 1966 have seen a number of players over that course of time wearing the jersey. Several of the names below played exclusively in the old Chicago Stadium now demolished while others played there and the United Center which opened in 1994. Certainly, the Michael Jordan Bulls teams were undoubtedly the best however there were others who played for the Bulls over time. Although I never witnessed the play of all below are those I believe to be the Top 10 players in Bulls history. I had difficulty excluding Norm Van Lier and Nate Thurmond, both distinguished themselves while playing for the Bulls.

Michael Jordan

Scottie Pippen

Artis Gilmore

Horace Grant

Chet Walker

Bob Love

Jimmy Butler

Toni Kukoc

Jerry Sloan

Bill Cartwright

Norm Van Lier

Nate Thurmond