Basketball from a fans perspective

Essential data

As many readers are aware, the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama has been shut down for the season due to deep vein thrombosis. Wembanyama's sophomore season in the NBA appeared to be even more promising than his freshman year, with strong potential to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. For those not familiar with his condition, a brief explanation is provided here. In the case of Wembanyama's, a blood clot formed in his right shoulder, within a deep vein.

If untreated, such clots can break loose, travel through the bloodstream, and lodge in the heart, lungs, or other organs. Naturally, if this were to occur it would cause loss of life. Typically, deep vein thrombosis occurs in the leg area, but it can form in the arms or upper torso, although this is rare. Treatment usually involves blood thinners, with surgery as a last resort. Similar cases have occurred in the NBA, such as Chris Bosh of the Heat, who eventually was forced to retire due to the condition. It is hoped that this issue will not impact Wembanyama's career and that he will be able to return to the Spurs successfully.

Now is the time

This is written weeks ahead of the NCAA Championship, I have no idea who is playing. In the future one of those teams could be the Missouri Tigers. The tournament has not always existed in this present format however the school has never played for a championship. In the 86 year history of the tournament they advanced to the Elite Eight (2002, 2009) but that’s it. A team must be talented and certainly lucky to win an NCAA Championship however it’s a little more to it in my mind.

The basketball landscape has changed, the transfer portal plus name, image and likeness have created a situation for today’s basketball programs that failed to exist 10 years ago. What I hope for Mizzou Nation is that the school becomes a prime destination for talent. On an annual basis we read the number of schools on a high profile athletes list, they are Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, North Carolina and others. Just because a particular school is on a prospects list doesn’t determine his decision but it certainly helps if Missouri is in the mix. Despite last year’s abysmal record I believe the coach has created a winning atmosphere in Columbia which can continue into the future.

It was 1949

August of that year teams from the BAA and NBL merged to become the NBA we recognize today. What about prior to that date, this bit of research began after reading about the rich basketball history of Indianapolis Indiana. The Indianapolis Jets began play in 1932 as the Indianapolis Kautskys (the owners name) in a number of leagues, from 1938 until 1947 they played in the NBL. In 1949 the team became the Jets and they moved into the BAA where the franchise folded. In 1950 the Olympians replaced them playing in the “new” NBA, the Olympians would later go out of business as well three years later.

The city would be devoid of professional basketball until the ABA was born in 1967, that team would become the Pacers we know today. In 1976 the NBA expanded and with that move the Pacers along with three other ABA teams became NBA members. I used the term expansion rather than merger because of the circumstances of how the Pacers and others arrived in the NBA. The Kentucky Colonels and The Spirits of St Louis franchises were dissolved, players were placed in a pool to be drafted by NBA teams. Although other professional basketball teams existed prior to the Jets they were the longest existing team in operation until the Pacers began.  

Dysfunctional

The headline tells the story, particularly for one player, DeAaron Fox. It is well known that he is now a member of the Spurs, but the manner in which he arrived in San Antonio is noteworthy. The Kings franchise has been widely regarded as poorly managed for years, a fact acknowledged both inside and outside Sacramento. On February 3rd, Fox was traded to the Spurs after spending eight years with the Kings. Based on reports, it is evident that he enjoyed playing for Coach Mike Brown. However, following the coach's dismissal, Fox expressed his decision to leave the team. He stated, “I was like, Yo, I’ve been here for going on my eighth year.

If Mike gets fired, I’ll be going on my fifth coach. And I told them, I’m not going to play for another coach. I’m going to play for another team.” Subsequently, Mike Brown was indeed dismissed, prompting Fox to request a trade. Without delving further into the matter and taking Fox’s statements at face value, it is apparent that having five coaches in eight years signals dysfunction within the organization. While discussions often focus on the duration between championships, the Kings experienced an 18-year hiatus from the playoffs, making it understandable why Fox sought a change. This situation suggests that the issue extends far beyond simply coaching and points to broader problems within the Kings' front office. Without checking it would appear they were lottery bound everyone of those 18 years.