Basketball from a fans perspective

Published daily except Tuesdays & Thursdays

His government name

You are familiar with Temetrius Jamel, leaving his last name aside you probably have no idea who I’m referencing. He plays point guard for the Grizzlies and he’s better known as “Ja” Morant. I don’t know if this to be a fact however my guess Ja was taken from the first two initials of his middle name. He’s one of the best rebounders in the NBA certainly a defensive force for the Heat…his birth name is Edrice Femi. He’s better known to NBA fans as “Bam” Adebayo. This athlete goes by the name of Scoot but that’s not the name on his birth certificate. On the document is the name he was given at birth Sterling Henderson, he is one of the swiftest guards in the league,

This next player the NBA community knows him as Trae. He’s actually Rayford Trae Young so the name he plays under really isn’t a nickname because it’s his middle name which is used. Does the name Shiavonte Aician sound familiar to you, probably not? You are more familiar with Shai Gilgeous the name mentioned during NBA broadcasts and written in the media. Finally we arrive at a former player turned coach. Speedy had an NBA career, how he became Speedy is unknown. His driver’s license identifies him as Craig Elliott Claxton. Another retired player and the only one to lead the NBA in scoring and assists in the same season. His name is Nate Archibald however due to his small stature he was nicknamed “Tiny” in a considerable number of NBA circles. Ovinton J’Anthony has not played in the NBA since 2016, what did I state? You have no idea who we are discussing, it’s OJ Mayo who last played for the Bucks.

Mizzou and the SEC

This afternoon Mizzou men’s basketball begins SEC play against Auburn, of course as most are aware Auburn is highly rated and one of the best in the nation. It certainly would be noteworthy if the Auburn Tigers were defeated by the Mizzou Tigers today. What to expect from the Black & Gold Tigers is a question mark, they should be better than last season. You might remember what occurred, the horrendous season they lost every single conference game, there will be no repeat of that fiasco.

The larger problem, the SEC is perhaps the toughest conference in the nation. The “experts” which I am not counted in the number claim this, “If they can finish .500 they will earn a tournament berth.” Mizzou has compiled an 11 win 2 loss season during the non-conference portion of their schedule. If we add another 9 wins that adds up to a season ending total of 20 wins. Although the win-loss number might not be exceptional playing in the tough, tough SEC just might allow them to punch their ticket to the tourney. Should the Black & Gold Tigers exceed the .500 mark mentioned, that would certainly get them an invite?

“Cleaning house”

I pointed out how unfamiliar I was regarding Dorian Finney-Smith acquired in the recent trade. It’s my understanding he’s a lock-down defender who can also shoot well from three. This was the role the Lakers believed was Jerred Vanderbilt. The only problem Vanderbilt was injured last season playing only 29 games, he is yet to make an appearance this season as the calendar turns to January. I am really unsure of his value or anyone to the Lakers if he never plays, that is a front-office decision.

At the time the team signed Gabe Vincent I was excited, I’d witnessed his outstanding play especially in the playoffs for the Heat. Injured most of last season Vincent played but 11 games, so far it’s been 31 however as I write this he is on a game to game status i.e., injured. Next up we have Christian Wood another who clearly demonstrated a higher level of play for the Mavs than I’ve seen with the Lakers. Wood played 50 games last season however surgery sidelined him for the 2024-25 season so far. In a manner similar to Vanderbilt we have yet to see Wood on the court. Finally we close this exercise with Jaxson Hayes, I thought the 7 foot Hayes seeing a potential opening at center would excel at the prospect. Laker Nation is fully aware AD hates playing center and this would be ideal for Hayes if he can remain healthy. Perhaps Hayes future is that of a reserve player only, if that is the case he needs to tailor his game as much as possible for the role. He’s played 11 of the 31 games the Lakers have played thus far, an ankle injury has sidelined him.

Hopefully, this doesn’t appear as mean-spirited as it might seem, the Lakers have a bunch of guys (under contract) who don’t play. They have until the end of the trade deadline (Feb 6) to address the issue of those missing roster members. Finally has the coaching change made a difference in the record? I’m unsure, last season the Lakers had played two additional games but a quick look says this. They were 17-18 this time last year, in 2025 they are 19-14.

The naysayers

I cannot named them for you however you are aware of most. These are the people who attempt to report “the game of basketball is headed downward,” they inform all within earshot “nobody is watching the NBA or basketball in general.” Both statements are far from the truth, THEY see portions of the game that displease them and decide it no longer functions. As a fan there are aspects of the game that concern me but unlike those folks the concerns they see fail to impact me in the same manner. I’m not going to toss the game in the trash because there are elements that displease me. One of the areas that is key to the continued evolution of the game is player development, if we look at the NBA there are plethora of budding stars.

LeBron James, Steph Curry and others are on the downhill side of their careers however new talent continues to arrive. Only time will tell if Victor Wembanyama, SGA plus Cooper Flagg and others become elite players, they appear to be that talented in 2024. As for the NBA if it were a losing proposition which some claim why is owner Glen Taylor fighting over ownership rights with pending buyers A-Rod & Marc Lore. That’s the good as for the bad I don’t see as much as you might. At the top of my list is Load Management I’m old skool, I realize the number of games has increased over time however players back in the day didn’t sit out games to rest. The in-season tournaments I plain don’t like, there are other negatives but those are at the top of my list.