A fans perspective 

Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

We’re going to need a bigger boat

Movie buffs will remember the line uttered by Police Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) in the 1975 movie Jaws. Brody would make this statement after seeing the huge shark they faced. As for the Lakers on Tuesday night the “Shark” they faced that evening was the Warriors team which “bit” down on them and swallowed them whole by a score of 119-109. As you are aware there was no LeBron, he would be missing in action until mid-November but that wasn’t the chief issue, no Laker beside Luka Doncic was ready to play.

Doncic filled up the box score with 43 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists on 63% shooting from the floor, Austin Reaves added 26 points but that was about it. The balance of the Lakers were mostly invisible, fans of Dub Nation will conclude I’m not giving their team credit due them. In most instances when you win your game is a cut above the other guy and that is what occurred Tuesday. Steph Curry was a contributor with 23 points but it was the others who stepped up. Jimmy Butler led the way with 31 points and Jonathan Kuminga and reserve Buddy Hield both contributed 17 points. As for the Lakers its early yet so Laker Nation should not become too upset, I believe JJ Redick will make adjustments and hopefully they play better in their next outing.

Meanwhile….

Is this the season, the year which witnesses the Knicks contend for an NBA championship? The Celtics will have Jayson Tatum missing at least for most of the season, as for the Pacers they face a similar story. Jeff Haliburton will miss the 2025-26 season, before fans of both franchises become upset with me allow additional detail. Both teams are stocked with capable members however its my belief both will contend but come up short. That leaves the Knicks as perhaps the readiest team to move up a degree based on returning all their starters. New coach Mike Brown has a good track record and I believe this will occur. Unlike the departed Tom Thibodeau this coach will give his starters adequate rest and will utilize his reserve players. The Knicks in my view ran out of “gas” at the end of their series (4-2) against the Pacers last season, expect a different outcome this time around if the teams meet. In closing the Knicks just might become the Eastern Conference team to contend for the championship.

Duke basketball continues to contend for talent, Jon Scheyer Duke coach received a commitment  from his first Class of 2026 prospect. His name is Bryson Howard and he is a 6-foot 5 188 pound small forward, as for his rating Rivals list Howard as a 4-star prospect while 247Sports awards him 5-stars. Duke managed to win over several outstanding programs Kentucky, Baylor North Carolina and Georgetown were a sampling of schools contending for Howard’s services. Howard is from Frisco Texas a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro.

I came across this story on one of my social media sites, two NBA owners trade franchises. This incident occurred once in the history of the association, it could never occur today in my view. This occurred in 1978 and the teams were the Buffalo Braves (now Los Angeles Clippers) and Boston Celtics. Irv Levin owner of the Celtics wanted to move his team to California but the NBA wouldn’t allow it (imagine that). By swapping franchises with John Y. Brown then owner of the Braves the switch was made. Owner Levin moved the Braves to San Diego where they were renamed Clippers. Could it occur again, I have serious doubts based on the financial interest of today.

Was there a basis for the strange and unusual lineup Ime Udoka sent out opening night against the Thunder. The Rockets lineup featured Kevin Durant 6-foot 11, Jabari Smith Jr., 6-foot 11, Steven Adams 7-foot, Alperen Sengun 6-foot 11 and “little” Amen Thompson who stands 6-foot 7. As most are aware point guard Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL and there is a possibility he could miss the season. Despite a lineup that averaged 6-foot 10 and outrebounding the Thunder 52-38 they were losers in double OT 125-124. Reed Sheppard is the short time answer at the point but certainly not long term, the Rockets are one of the teams considered a Western Conference contender, that might be the case but there are point guard questions.   

The Alien

As they might say, he be hooping, getting’ buckets…the street vernacular is a reference regarding Victor Wembanyama a.k.a. The Alien and his Wednesday night game. I almost forgot his defense, he blocked 3 shots and probably intimidated on a bunch of others intended by the Mavs. Wemby’s game was directly responsible for the Spurs 125 to 92 victory over the Mavs as he filled the box score. His game read 40 points scored while pulling down 15 rebounds, he accomplished this shooting .714 from the floor .500 from three while shooting 82% from the line.

Brad Boykin CBS Sports headline read; “Victor Wembanyama might have just taken over the basketball world in the first game.” As further proof Anthony Davis made a statement which might have been taken as a joke but that might not be the case. AD said; “ The NBA should implement a height limit like they do in the Philippines.” I am unfamiliar with play in that nation but evidently the height limit must be real. In any case Wemby has forced the NBA to take notice, this season a “new” Wemby will be on display. NBA teams better prepare for the 7-foot 4 (or 5) 235 pound Wemby who is prepared to take the NBA by storm. Any game featuring the Spurs and Wemby should be deemed must watch television. Although he doesn’t play the post in the traditional manner he alone might be responsible for future emphasis in that area.