Basketball from a fans perspective

It ended not as planned

Before I delve into the game I will state Jimmy Butler has aided the Warriors immensely since his arrival, despite that fact the revenge tour ended badly and I’m sure not what he hoped. The Warriors on the road and Butler would make his first appearance in Miami since the trade. We knew ahead of time Steph was sidelined due to injury, despite this fact many believed a little more was expected from Butler. 41% shooting with only 11 points I’m sure is a disappointment to the Warriors and their fans.

His shooting plus the absence of Steph indirectly led to the 112-86 drubbing they suffered at the hands of the Heat. This was the statement made by Butler prior to the game, “I have nothing to say to Pat, and Pat better have nothing to say to me.” The bravado is nice, it would been even better if Butler had played a respectable game over what many of us witnessed on Tuesday. Currently Butler is okay with being the secondary scorer on this team, how much longer will that continue to exist? Will the Butler we saw fall into disfavor with the Warriors management as he had others over his NBA journey.

This is different

Recently we were introduced to Class of 2027 prospect Gassim Toure, he’s from the West African nation of Guinea and has moved to the U.S., he’s enrolled at Principia in St. Louis. The 6 foot 3 point guard has already received offers from Xavier, Illinois and UCF. Although Missouri is yet to make an offer he’s made a connection with one of the assistant coaches and indicates he likes Missouri’s style of play. It’s far too early to determine a school of choice for Toure.

The youngster indicated difficulty initially learning English, in his native Guinea French is the language spoken. Consider this fact, although a substantial number of players have arrived on these shores from the continent few have been guards. If you check the rosters of the NBA and college teams you will discover the majority are wing and post players. Why have there been so few in number there is no single answer to the question. Perhaps Toure will change that in college and should he develop the NBA, as for the college choice Mizzou Nation might desire him to play in Columbia.

Report the news, don’t make the news

This is a non-basketball sports story but it needs to be told. Kansas City has dealt with the issue of a replacement baseball stadium for over a year. Although several sites have been proposed nothing has been finalized to date. This past Monday a local sports talk radio member reported to his listeners that the Royals were in discussion with the owners of an area on the Kansas side of State Line Road to build the stadium. All throughout the day on Monday into Tuesday the story was being reported by media other than the sports variety.

Finally late Tuesday came word from the property owners no such discussions were being conducted. What occurred Wednesday morning, radio guy who talks all the time about his connections placed his mouth in reverse. He is now claiming the role of messenger, “I’m only repeating what I heard.” It’s certainly clear to me (and maybe you) next time he reports a story he should verify the authenticity of it. Be prepared to defend your account, the role of messenger doesn’t work if the information communicated is not correct. Radio guy needs to understand he can’t be the news, it’s his job to report it only. Despite my statement I have serious doubts he changes because he believes he’s correct.

Meanwhile…

This time of the year college coach hiring is the news story, one of those hires is more than interesting. Richard Pitino is leaving his job as head coach at the University of New Mexico. Pitino’s been hired as Xavier’s coach and this is where the story begins to unfold. Xavier is a member of the Big East Conference, one of the conference members is St. John’s University. St. John’s of course is coached by Rick Pitino, so next season the son will oppose the father on the basketball court. Unless I am corrected it’s my belief this is the first time in collegiate history we’ve witnessed a father-son tandem as opposing coaches in the same conference.

For the second time in a matter of weeks we hear the medical term deep vein thrombosis used once again. The first time it was Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and his diagnosis ended his season prematurely. This time it’s Bucks point guard Dame Lillard who suffers the malady, he’s been sidelined for the duration. With so few games remaining one might say it’s not that big a deal, however, it is. The Bucks are a playoff caliber team, they need their entire roster ready to play and this issue will affect them if blood thinners don’t resolve the issue.

St. Francis lost its game in the NCAA Tournament last week, this week came an even bigger announcement. After competing as a Division I school the decision was made to reclassify as a Division III program. Losing in the tournament wasn’t the basis, a move of this type is several months maybe a year’s worth of study. Naturally, this type of move doesn’t take effect immediately, student-athletes on scholarship will continue up to the change. As most are aware Division III schools offer no athletic aid of any type. “The university cited the transfer portal, pay-for-play and "other shifts that move athletics away from love of the game" for the move.”