Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Tuesday, Thursday plus Saturday & Sunday 

“You knew the job was dangerous when you took it”

The phrase above was heard in the late ‘60’s cartoon Super Chicken. That becomes the lament of NBA coaches, the latest occurred on Monday with the announced firing of Mike Budenholzer. Two interesting facts, he’d only been on the job one season and he is operating now under a 4-year contract. The Suns must pay their next coach and Budenholzer too. We move on, Budenholzer becomes the number 4 coach fired this season. The first was Mike Brown of the Kings, then Taylor Jenkins ex of the Grizzlies. Jenkins was followed by Mike Malone with the Nuggets and now Budenholzer.

I heard someone ask the question, “Why are NBA coaches fired so often and so soon?” I heard the answer…corporate owners and not basketball people similar to the Buss family, I’m unsure if that is the true basis. As I see it this is the issue management wants a head coach with experience, that’s partially the reason we have so many recycled coaches. Ownership is often unwilling to take a chance on someone with no experience in that area. The Lakers did that with Darvin Ham and now JJ Redick, Taylor Jenkins had no prior NBA head coaching experience. The job is so unstable I have no desire to speculate if there are other coaches who might be hanging on by a thread. And understand this, Jenkins and Malone’s teams are in the playoffs only neither is leading them now, that indicates to me it’s about more than just winning basketball games.

The expectations must be realistic

There is uncertainty regarding the expectations for the 2025-26 season of Missouri Tigers basketball. Like other programs, Missouri lost players through the portal. On Sunday, it was announced that 7-foot, 245-pound Shawn Phillips Jr. had signed, he arrives from Arizona State. Upon hearing the news, freshman big man Peyton Marshall placed his name in the portal almost immediately. The first Missouri player to join through the portal was 6-foot-11, 235-pound Javon Porter from Loyola Marymount. Shortly thereafter, 6-foot-11, 240-pound Luke Northweather who last played at Oklahoma was signed, this was followed by 6-foot-3 shooting guard Sebastian Mack from UCLA.

Incoming freshman prospects include Aaron Rowe, a point guard, and forward Nick Randall. Despite the departures and additions, the Tigers reportedly have space for two more players at this time. A Missouri website wanted fans to judge the additions with a letter grade. I certainly couldn’t give the coaching staff an A but a B is deserving with reservations. Even with the departures Missouri managed to acquire through the portal and incoming prospects those players they believe fit the system. The outcome of the season always remains uncertain until we arrive there. We witnessed the Kansas Jayhawks with a good record but nowhere near the level anticipated. They started as the number one team in the nation but ended the season unranked, equaling the record of North Carolina, who also began the 2022-23 season as the number one team.

It’s real

For numerous reasons prior to his retirement Kobe Bryant hatred existed to ginormous levels. This is what I remember, “He’s trying to be Michal Jordan” or this one “He’s the most selfish player I’ve ever seen.” Those are just two examples of an overabundance of hatred aimed at Bryant who I continue to believe was an NBA great all-time. In death the criticism has evaporated for the most part however there exists a new target. Well he’s not new LeBron James is 40-years old and has played in the NBA since he was 18. Why is the hatred toward LeBron over the top in some circles I often ask myself. If we look at his career there’s been no controversy, by the way I don’t believe Bronny in the league fits the view of Stephen A. Smith and anyone else.

Allow me to say I haven’t always been in his corner, I was upset in the manner he left the Cavs for South Beach. I believe to this day the television production was over the top in my opinion. He wins championships for the Heat, he then departs for Cleveland. There he was able to help the Cavs win it all, but wait there is more. I begin to read and hear rumors LeBron was exploring a plan to play for the Lakers. I didn’t take it seriously at the time, truth is I actually wanted him to remain with the Cavs but that was not to be. Since LeBron’s arrival in Lakerland 2020 remains the only championship for the Lakers. There have been injuries to him and AD, coaching changes and roster moves that have not proven beneficial in winning another championship. Despite those facts I feel privileged to have the opportunity to witness two NBA and Laker legends in action Kobe Bean Bryant and LeBron Raymone James Sr.

Meanwhile…

Many readers may not be familiar with the name Joe Dumars. Dumars was drafted by the Pistons and played a crucial role in the Bad Boy Pistons era as Isiah Thomas backcourt teammate. Following his playing career, he transitioned into an executive role within the Pistons organization, eventually serving as president of basketball operations from 2000 to 2014. From 2019 to 2022, Dumars served as a special advisor to the general manager of the Kings. Later in 2022, he joined the NBA as executive vice president and head of basketball operations. In April of 2025, Dumars was appointed director of basketball operations for the Pelicans. Throughout his post-playing career, Dumars has held numerous influential positions across various franchises, the NBA, and now the Pelicans. The Pelicans have enlisted Dumars to address multiple challenges facing the franchise.

This I find real scary, who is playing in the post. The Lakers have their playoff roster in place and guess who is missing? Trey Jemison III and Christian Koloko didn’t make the cut as backups, I realize they have limited experience playing in the NBA but they do bring youth. Who does that leave behind starter Jaxson Hayes, well there is veteran Alex Len 7 foot 1 and 250 pounds. Len was signed with the intent to back up Hayes but that’s not exactly worked out. The two youngsters Jemison and Koloko have seen more action than Len so exactly what should we expect to see in the playoffs? At points, the Lakers will have a “small ball” lineup on the court with the 6 foot 9 LeBron James playing post, that’s certainly not what I believed would occur just a brief time ago. It’s clear Len has the height (7-1) plus the bulk (250 pounds) to contend with Joker and others however that’s impossible when you are planted firmly on the bench.

He ain’t waiting on Flagg, he’s made his decision acknowledged. That would be Kon Knueppel the sharp shooting guard/small forward has decided (at least for now) it’s the NBA for him. In 39 games for Duke the freshman shot nearly 48% from the floor with 41% percent from three and 91% from the free throw line. Don’t allow the 14.4 points per game to fool you, shot selection was spread around the floor with the freshman trio of Knueppel, Cooper Flagg and Big Man Khaman Maluach. The disclaimer from me regarding Knueppel, there is no guarantee he will become a quality NBA player, it would appear from his role with Duke he should be fully capable. Keep in mind JJ Redick came into the league all everything, there were elements of his game that failed to translate to the NBA. Adjustments were required and he did just that becoming a 3-point shooting specialist.

This has been mentioned in the past with a new name, the question will Gregg Popovich be able to return to coaching the Spurs. If Pop is unable to resume his duties several names have been mentioned as a possible replacement. Last week a media member mentioned Mike Malone recently fired Nuggets coach. I’m unsure if I like this for several reasons and it’s not a hate Malone issue. I’d like to see interim coach Mitch Johnson be given the opportunity on a permanent basis. Second to that the Spurs make NBA history, they hire Becky Hammon as head coach and she becomes the groundbreaker. Afterall Hammon had served in the past on Pop’s staff from 2014-21. Back to Malone a moment, I’ve grown tired of teams hiring recycled coaches.