Basketball from a fans perspective

“Hotter than fish grease!”

The headline’s context can be explained with an anecdote: I once heard a play-by-play announcer describe a particular player’s impressive shooting performance. Not being well-versed in cooking, I asked my wife if frying fish required a higher temperature compared to chicken or other meats. She responded that it was not necessarily the case. Now, shifting our focus to the main topic---basketball. The Battle of Los Angeles was renewed again Sunday evening this time with the Lakers missing, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves both injured.

Two vital starters sidelined as the Lakers faced the Clippers for the second time in two days. The final score read Lakers 108 Clippers 102 as Luka led the way scoring 29 points along with 9 assists and 6 rebounds. Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent filled in for the missing Lakers, while there was certainly a drop off in scoring and maybe defense but not as much as might be expected. You remember Dalton Knecht don’t you, he came off the Laker bench scoring 19 points on 7 for 10 shooting from the floor? Despite Kawhi Leonard’s 33 points the Laker squad managed as a team to outshoot the Clippers 49.4% to 43.7% from the floor. The Lakers shot a sizzling 43% from three while the Clippers were a respectable 31%.

Back to the headline, this win represented the Lakers 6th in a row but it’s not the longest winning streak, that honor belongs to the Cavs who possess a 10 game winning streak. As for the Battle of Los Angeles, at least this season the Lakers are clearly the winner. After dropping the first game they have beaten the Clippers three consecutive times. It should be noted the Lakers won the match wire to wire, on a couple of occasions the lead was whittled down to one but the Clippers never were able to take the lead. It is possible the two may face one another in the playoffs.  

Meanwhile

We all have opinions and for the most part that’s okay. The danger zone is giving our opinion on a subject without having all the evidence in front of us. On Thursday evening the Lakers-Wolves game Ant Man Anthony Edwards was given a technical his second which meant ejection from the game. On Friday morning Stephen A. Smith claimed the call was bogus or something similar. Smith was in New York watching the game just like me in Kansas City, there are numerous instances where a call by an official could be questioned. “Did he foul the opposing player or not,” certainly is in that category. Smith sitting in front of his television was certainly not privy of what Ant said to the official that got him ejected.

This is certainly speculative on my part so consider this as fact. If Pop fails to return to the helm of the Spurs who replaces him, who is brave enough to stand in his gigantic shoes? The writer of a .com site mentioned interim Mitch Johnson, makes sense he’s been a long-time assistant to Pop. The question remains would management turn over the reins to him. It seems as though Sam Cassell been serving as an assistant coach since 1999 (just kidding), when does he get the opportunity for a head coaching job? He’s currently an assistant with the Celtics. The last name to consider might be the most controversial…Becky Hammon. In 2014 Hammon became the second female to serve as an assistant coach when Coach Pop hired Hammon. Is the NBA ready for the first seat to be occupied by a female?

Mock drafts, particularly those from sources such as nbadraft.net, nbadraftroom, and tankathon.com, tend to be accurate up through the first ten picks. Since the beginning of the college season, Duke’s Cooper Flagg has garnered significant attention and scrutiny. Former NBA players have analyzed his game, and while many acknowledge his talent, there remains a question of whether he is a generational player. This question may not be answered definitively for several seasons. Throughout the college season, Flagg has consistently held the top spot in all mock drafts, without any change. Another consideration is whether he will declare for the draft; Flagg has indicated that he may return for his sophomore year.

I am pleased number 77 is in Purple and Gold, despite that fact this is the other side. Many reading this might disagree however I believe Luka Doncic to be a generational talent. Members of the media and fans continue to ask the question how the Mavs could have made such a lopsided trade. From my perspective it’s not as bad for them as might first be perceived. Guard Max Christie was inserted in the Laker lineup and exhibited how he knows how to play the game, in addition he’s young. AD is injured but just as soon as he’s able he will demonstrate his quality play to Mavs fans. Daniel Gafford is also injured but was a valuable member of the Mavs playoff run last season. I refuse to deal in draft picks because a team has no idea if the pick is good or bad until the athlete provides us an assessment of his potential. The trade is not as one-sided as some have hinted.