Basketball from a fans perspective

Published daily except Tuesdays & Thursdays

From the Mavs perspective

I cannot place myself in the mind of the Mavs GM Nico Harrison, that’s an impossible task. He made the trade sending Luka Doncic to the Lakers so everything else becomes second guessing on our part. Most of all AD receives what he desired from the Lakers…a position change. Of course he probably would have preferred it be with the Lakers. If you’ve followed the Lakers any length of time you are aware AD has long desired to play power forward exclusively.

In 2020 when the team won the championship Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee shared the post. Unlike the Lakers the Mavs already have a Bonafide center in Daniel Gafford so AD gets his wish. As for other areas I briefly touched on this Monday, point guard duties become the sole responsibility of Kyrie Irving now. You might remember this responsibility had been shared with Luka Doncic. They also have PJ Washington at power forward and Klay Thompson shooting guard, the reserves are workable. The standings as this is written indicate they would make the play-in tournament, they are within range of the number 8 position. This morning sports news contained a photo of Mavs fans in front of American Airlines Center protesting the trade by bringing a coffin. Rest assured a large contingent of Mavs fans are complaining about the trade.  

I’ve yet to read a negative comment emanating from Los Angeles…what’s that about? There is speculation on who won this trade, for me it’s a draw. Until the Mavs or Lakers win an NBA Championship it will be difficult to determine who won what. In closing several mentioned Mark Cuban’s name, evidently they fail to realize there has been a change. Although he remains associated with the Mavs he no longer is a decision maker, he was in no position to void the trade.

Beauty contest

If it’s only a beauty contest why is it so important…because it’s a barometer that informs the general public where a team ranks. The public pays little attention to the NET or KenPom polls, they see the AP and Coaches poll because that’s the focus of local sports. This all might change by next Monday, with that statement out of the way at least this week the AP Poll places Mizzou in the number 15 slot, the Coaches Poll have them at 16.

As for Kansas basketball the AP has them at 16 and 17 in the Coaches Poll. I’m a little unsure the years Mizzou beat Kansas they were ever ahead of them in the polls. It might be different next time but for week 14 the numbers above represent the views of those in the media (AP) and basketball coaches throughout the nation. Just in case you wondered I am going to save your search, the NET ranking places Kansas at 9 and Mizzou 21. KenPom has Kansas as the number 10 team in the nation and Mizzou number 23. In any event the hope is that two or three additional victories will assure Mizzou is able to punch it’s ticket to the Big Dance.

Contrary to some the sky is not falling

The sky is not falling, the NBA is not going out of business next week or next year. A legion of naysayers have attempted to give us that impression. They loudly proclaim TV viewership is down…I haven’t looked at the numbers but I have no reason to doubt that. Seems as though this development occurred in the past, remember in the ‘60’s when the league was ripe with drug problems and racial issues. Along comes Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to save the NBA, this upward trend continued on through the period of MJ and his Bulls.

Viewership numbers went through the roof, expansion occurred…new television contracts etc. As for television how did the NBA manage to secure a multi-billion dollar television contract going into effect next season? Why would the networks pay those kind of dollars for a product “nobody” is watching? Question, can these naysayers tell me why folks with deep, deep pockets are always ready to purchase an NBA franchise when it becomes available? There is a court fight currently between the current owner of the Wolves and perspective owner, NBA ownership is a “cash cow.” In closing I’m going to turn to another sport the NFL. All season long, coast to coast we’ve listened to and read complaints regarding NFL officiating.

Some of the critics have even claimed (without offering proof) NFL games are rigged. Despite the complaints we’ve heard from September up till now I’ve not read a single fan claim “I ain’t watching no more football” have you? It would be foolish for me to claim there are no NBA issues they do exist, they also exist with the NFL, MLB and the NHL. I truly hope no one reading this believes everything is okay to me regarding the NBA.

The return of the Big Man

There is a belief literally everything on earth is in a cycle. The thing whatever it might be is brand new or has been in use for a time, it’s generally accepted by most consumers. It becomes antiquated or outdated and is no longer in use. What happens, years later it returns maybe in a different “package” or form. I was holding a discussion with a co-worker and his question to me, “Will the Big Man ever return to basketball?” I certainly don’t believe I am in a position to answer the question although I provided him a guess. “I said yes, but post play will probably not resemble that of Shaquille O’Neal.”

For some who might not be familiar Shaq played bully ball, with his 350 pound frame he’d back opposing centers toward the basket and simply overpower them with a mammoth dunk. I said, “Guys haven’t quit growing as evidence of that fact I could point toward Wemby.” One of the changes that’s resulted in   lesser post play is the three point shot, coaches encourage their Big Men to take the shot which I hate. On the other hand if you can shoot it like Wemby or Brook Lopez so be it. Steph Curry and to a lesser degree Klay Thompson are the culprits. The Splash Brothers routinely took the shot and sunk it…what occurred? They won championships and other NBA teams began copying the Warriors effort hoping to duplicate the magic. Remember how this was begun, the mention of things operating in cycles…the Big Man will return I’m not able to provide a time stamp.