Basketball from a fans perspective

Published daily except Tuesdays & Thursdays

This is the 3^Rd re-write 

I’m going to blend three separately written Laker story’s, I hope they fuse. I’ll begin with Luka, he’s one of those names a last name is not required. You say his name and everyone who follows the NBA is aware of who you are about to discuss. The Battle of Los Angeles on Tuesday evening was more a skirmish, I’m unsure what I witnessed. No AD for the Lakers, the Clippers at their home all the elements said the Lakers were in for a tough game. That’s what it read prior to game start, that’s not what occurred, I use the term beat down literally, final score Lakers 122 Clippers 97. LeBron led the way with timely scoring and 9 assists, Austin Reaves also totaled 9 assists. Rui Hachimura and Reaves added 20 points each but it was the defense, I will say it again…defense.

The Lakers played belly button defense which forced the Clippers into numerous TO’s and ill-advised shots from the floor. Am I expecting this type of game every evening from the Lakers, of course I am. Although the Lakers played Tuesday evening Luka is not scheduled to play until tomorrow, what should I expect? Better yet, what are Laker teammates expecting? LeBron is averaging 9.1 assists a game, Luka was averaging nearly 8 assists for the Mavs, are you walking with me? Can I say Laker teammates better have their heads up and on a swivel with these two skillful assist talents. Speaking of which Mark Williams is reported to be a lob king, this is his story, I arose from my sleep on Thursday morning my iPhone indicated the Lakers had acquired Mark Williams. I immediately thought Robert Williams Blazers center, after turning on the television much to my surprise I discovered it was the other Williams. A check was required because the former Hornets center was unknown to me, sure he played at Duke I just don’t remember him. In any event the 7 foot 240 pound Williams was pick number 15 in 2022, he’s 23-years old and left Duke after his sophomore year. I am forced to admit because the Hornets are not on national television broadcasts I am totally unfamiliar with his game.

Williams will become a “watch and learn” Laker for me, he will be plugged in at the center position immediately. His numbers for the Hornets look good however I must take into consideration that Williams is now a Laker. One, because I originally had the wrong Williams and two no familiarity I had to return to the 2022 NBA Mock Draft to discover what scouts wrote. The negatives, his missed games due to nagging injuries. He’s not a shot creator but is that really important with LeBron and Luka. Finally he’s not a three-point threat which is great from my standpoint. I absolutely hate 7-footers standing at the 3-point line jacking up shots, with that said here is the Lakers projected starting lineup:

Austin Reaves SG

Luka Doncic PG

Rui Hachimura PF

LeBron James SF

Mark Williams C

Bits n Pieces  

Did you realize prior to 1973 the name Jalen whatever method you spell it never existed? Jalen Rose former NBA and current broadcaster is the first, his mom used his dad’s name Jimmy and uncle Leonard. She combined the two names and that’s how Jalen came about. If we fast forward to 2021 we find there 32 athletes in the NBA or NFL with the name spelled in different variants. In addition to that another 30 athletes in North America also have the name. As further evidence the Super Bowl will have Jaylen Hurts playing QB for the Eagles and the Chiefs have DB Jaylen Watson on their roster. Recently the Lakers traded Jalen Hood-Schifino to the Jazz and the Pistons have Jalen Duren while the Knicks have Jalen Brunson. I could take this much further however you get the idea, we have quite a name thing here spread throughout the NBA, NFL and other sports.

If you are regular reader 5 out of 7 days of the week you read my opinion on a variety of basketball subjects. Whether it was yesterday or 5 years ago I have always attempted to remain consistent in one aspect. I’ve voiced my opinion however I don’t believe it was ever stated mine was the only one. Some of you might be familiar with the name Jason Whitlock, this paraphrases the media members take on the Luka Doncic trade. “David Stern (former commissioner) is rolling over in his grave.

This trade should be immediately voided as Stern did with Chris Paul.” A little background, we must return to 2011. That year saw the Lakers receive the 27-year old point guard in a trade, Stern would void the trade because at the time the Hornets were being run by the NBA. Technically as owner the NBA said no to the exchange on the basis “It was best for the league.” It doesn’t matter if Whitlock approved of the Luka trade or not someone should point out to him this is not the same circumstance. I wonder if anyone reading Whitlock believes him anymore…just a question on my part?

I must come to the realization I hold grudges, didn’t think I did but I do. In this instance it’s Bill Self, I’ve never held any animosity toward any of the players even the Rock Chalk crowd it’s the coach. Allow a brief explanation, a return to the past, the administration at Missouri was concerned about the disproportion amount of funds allocated to each sports program. The University of Texas because its Texas received a larger share of revenue over other schools, this concern eventually led Missouri to leave the Big XII.

Rather than understanding the move Self developed an attitude which I long believed was unnecessary. Missouri and Kansas now play a home and home series back then Self said an emphatic NO. Evidently Missouri was not the only school displeased, for unknown reasons Nebraska and Colorado left the Big XII prior to Missouri. Although Self refused to schedule Missouri there was no problem playing the other two schools one in the Pac-10 and the other in the Big 10.

Tomorrow evening you will hear a familiar voice if you tune into the Duke-Clemson game. 85-year old color commentator Dick Vitale will be providing analysis for the game. As most are aware health issues have sidelined the former coach and broadcaster. I look forward to his wealth of terminology that belong exclusively to him. As a reminder of just a few Vitale-isms, Cooper Flagg is definitely a “Diaper Dandy”-a freshman. We also have “Dishes the rock”-a pass, “P.T”-playing time, “Slam, Bam, Jam”-an impressive dunk. The terms mentioned are just a few of the expressions of the man who placed college basketball in the forefront for us from his days ESPN first began broadcasting back in 1979.