A fans perspective 

Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

Chuck is out there

This should be about Austin Reaves but more about him later, my initial focus is Charles Barkley former NBA player and analyst for Inside the NBA. After the Laker victory over the Wolves 116-115 his commentary was aimed at center Deandre Ayton. Barkley stated his belief Ayton needed more touches especially with Luka Doncic and LeBron James out of the lineup. Despite the fact both Kenny Smith and Shaq pointed out this is impossible. Ayton needs to continue the path laid out for him in the first 5 games he’s played for the Lakers, 16 points and 9 rebounds along with shooting 62.3% from the floor and blocking shots on occasion.

Despite the fact Barkley had a Hall of Fame career he can be as wrong as two left shoes at times. As for the game Reaves made a shot as time expired allowing the Lakers to slip past the Wolves by the 116-115 score. But it wasn’t just Reaves, I’d mention earlier who steps up to replace the two super stars missing from the Laker lineup. Jake Laravia was one contributing 27 points along with 8 rebounds. Back to Ayton for a moment, he ain’t Kareem or Shaq, he possesses all the talent in the world. From what I’ve read the comment was said it was a matter of motivation for Ayton that kept him from reaching the heights projected. The season is still young, he’s only got 5 games under his belt, if he continues to play at this level this member of Laker Nation will be satisfied. As for Paul Pierce former Celtic I don’t take stock in anything he says about the Lakers.

One of a kind

Earlier I asked the question is Wemby already the best in the game? Don’t worry if you failed to respond I have decided on my own Victor Wembanyama is the NBA future based on several factors. A. He must remain relatively free of injury. B. Wemby must continue to be dialed into the game we see as evidence thus far. C. Wemby must play for an extended time. He’s now in his third season and ranks with some of the greats of the NBA. Check this comparison in Wemby’s first 120 games versus those in the Naismith Hall of Fame, Karl Malone had 1,091 rebounds Wemby has 1301. The NBA’s all time scoring leader straight out of high school LeBron James scored 2680 points, Wemby made 2738.

How about shooting three’s in his first 120 games Steph Curry had 242 3 pointers made, Wemby has 274. The last category to discuss is blocked shots, 337 were registered by Hakeem Olajuwon as for Wemby’s he’s totaled 448. By now you are probably stating “He should lead the NBA in points after all he’s 7-foot 5.” There are two effort areas that stand out for me: blocked shots and rebounds, those are parts of the game that require effort over others, the 3-point shooting also stands out. Whenever I mention Wemby to some they always focus in one area, “Does he have an inside game?” My answer is Wemby has a limited inside game. IF he ever develops a sky-hook or similar shot around the basket he will simply be unstoppable. Am I going overboard with my praise, perhaps that is the case? You be the judge based on what you just read.

Will they listen to him

If you’ve read this blog any length of time you realize my love for basketball, especially the NBA. Despite this fact there are elements I could almost place in the category of hate a word I rarely use. With that here goes, I hate Load Management which has become a part of several NBA players. A player is not injured he decides to take the night off, he does this with no regard for the fan who spends $100 to as much as $250 to see the game and him. I am not including gasoline to drive to the game, tickets, parking and concessions are expensive and rising all the time. Is it fair for that fan to sit out a game simply because he’s tired, many of us on our jobs daily despite being tired or in some instances sick. During half time of the Tuesday night NBA broadcast NBC’s Mike Tirico sat down with Michael Jordan at the half to discuss NBA issues. I’m just going to cover a bit of the wisdom I believe laid out by MJ.

“Well, it shouldn’t be needed, first and foremost,” Jordan said. “You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove. It was something that I felt like the fans are there that watch me play. I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his (butt) off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket. Jordan even said that rule applied to the people who came to games to cheer against him. Yeah, because I know he’s probably yelling at me and I want to shut him up, “ Jordan said. “You know, he’s calling me all kinds of names. I definitely want to shut him up….You have a duty that if they’re wanting to see you, and as an entertainer, I want to show. Right? A game is 2.5 hours a day, 3 hours a day. What are doing the other 21 hours?” What you just read was condensed from ESPN.com’s NBA page. Why should anyone be surprised after listening to his comments in Last Dance? MJ competes no matter what it was/is, basketball, golf, cards or other stuff. MJ the ultimate competitor.

Meanwhile….

The name Adou Thiero might be unfamiliar to some reading this. The 6-foot 8 220 pound small forward/guard was made the 36th pick by the Nets in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft. He was then traded to the Lakers and that’s where he disappeared. It was determined surgery would be required before he could play, he missed Summer League play plus the Laker training camp. Despite being highly touted by the Lakers there was no opportunity to earn a roster spot due to recovery. It now appears that is in the rear view mirror, the Lakers have announced he will begin play for the G-League South Bay Lakers.   

Suspended Blazer coach Chauncey Billups has become an enigma to me. He was among three individuals associated with the FBI arrested, one current and one former player named by a Grand Jury in a gambling scandal. The principle reason I find his case so strange is based on Billups’ past. He was an NBA champion player, inducted in the Naismith Hall of Fame and as mentioned NBA coach. I cited this previously Billups has a legacy…one which has been severely damaged by his formal accusation and arrest. We shall see how this matter eventually unfolds.

Tune out social media

For those who might not be familiar with the name, Josh Simmons is a rookie left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, he began the season with a bang now he’s gone. Of course the hope is this is not a permanent issue, the Chiefs announced he experienced personal problems and that was all the public knew. We are now in the third or fourth week and fans are clamoring to know what’s occurring with Simmons. As for me I am accepting the statement made by the front office that it was personal. Despite the announcement fans have begun to grow anxious due to Simmons absence. I don’t do social media but have been led to believe his name has been circulated.

I remember once reading a veteran NBA player informed a rookie “You need to turn off social media.” The difficulty of turning off social media might be difficult for a number of us. Despite this fact I have been led to believe it can be downright brutal at times regarding a team and players. We only need to ask LeBron and Bronny James and several others throughout the NBA. On the other hand age must be a factor in how one deals with social media. I held a brief conversation with two younger members at my workplace. This is what I heard, “I will laugh at you about criticizing my play as I drive off in my Lamborghini.” That is an easy response and we must keep in mind that many of us have struggle ignoring critical remarks aimed at us. On the other hand many of us have the ability to treat unfavorable remarks like water on a ducks back, they simply allow it to roll off. We must keep that fact in mind.