A fans perspective

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The Lakers have a problem

This is not what you might believe it to be, allow an explanation. In the Los Angeles Lakers game against the New Orleans Pelicans center Deandre Ayton had a monstrous game, 20 points along with 15 rebounds on 90% shooting from the floor. His game total helped propel the Lakers to the 118-102 victory over the Pelicans but wait there is more. The problem, it’s two fold, there are members of Laker Nation (and others) who claim, “Ayton should have similar games every night.” Then there are Laker Nation members who declare, “All we need from Ayton is 20 and 10, that’s what Shaq said and he should know.”

This is what I believe, Ayton’s should adopt both game plans i.e., score when called on but allow shooters Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves to run the offense effectively. The Lakers are yet to play a complete schedule, there are several tough games ahead in their schedule but I’ve seen an improvement in post play already. We discovered the reason why Jaxson Hayes was in a reserve role, he’s got NBA talent however its short of the play we’ve witnessed thus far from Ayton. Can Deandre Ayton lead the Lakers to the promise of an NBA championship that question remains unanswered at least for now. His skill level is certainly above that of Hayes so we shall see what unfolds for the balance of the season.

It was back to back as the Lakers continued travel facing the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday evening. The final score read Lakers 119 Bucks 95, the truth I didn’t know what to expect the outcome to be despite the fact the Bucks had also played the prior night. The Bucks held two early leads before double digits, after the teams reach that point it was all Lakers. They went over the top, threw them in various manners, turnovers and missed shots by the Bucks I looked up and discovered the Lakers had a 20 point lead and from there it was Luka and the boys placing a beat down on them. Luka led the way with 41 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, he was assisted by Austin Reaves with his 28 points and 8 assists. Deandre Ayton registered his second double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. This was one of those rare occasions when my wife sat and watched a portion of the game with me. She said “This (the Lakers) is a new team,” probably use to seeing Kobe, LeBron and company in Purple and Gold. I informed her there had been change since she last saw a Laker game. I pointed to the fact JJ Redick is new as well (although) he’s in his second year.

Moving ahead

You might remember the story regarding NBA Europe don’t you? Well just in case you don’t remember or didn’t read it a brief refresher. The NBA indicating it was looking toward the continent to expand the game. This would not be the Bulls playing a team from Paris or Berlin the Euro NBA teams would compete against one another, this was to be accomplished with a FIBA blessing. This week we learned NBA Europe might begin sooner than we expected, the indication it might be as soon as October 2027. This is from basketballnetwork.com:

According to Joe Vardon from The Athletic, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne are expected to join the NBA Europe project. ALBA Berlin, which competed in the EuroLeague for the past 24 years up until this season, are also expected to receive a spot in NBA Europe, per Vardon. Vardon also adds that, even though Paris Basketball compete in the EuroLeague, the NBA is seeking a partnership with Qatari authorities, who own soccer powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain. According to BasketNews sources, Galatasaray Istanbul are expected to be the only NBA Europe team from Türkiye.

A portion from Basketballnetwork.com

Our northern neighbor

Why am I not worried about this development? I saw a publication and may have mentioned it previously. Someone pointed to the fact the 5 best basketball players in the NBA all were born outside the U.S. The nearest player to these shores on the list was SGA from Toronto Canada. I have difficulty including him in a list for a single reason, hometown for SGA is in the same time zone of New York City. Our northern neighbors speak the language in the same manner we do, they drive Fords and Chevys just like us. I suppose there are other similarities to mention however before I proceed allow me to personally thank our neighbor. Thank you for sending James A. Naismith our direction, if not for him we’d be playing football from the fall into spring. Okay I realize there is spring football but I hope you get my point. Best Canadian NBA player, hands down that is SGA I don’t believe that will cause an argument from any citizen of Canada or the U.S. for that matter. How about a little trivia, the first Canadian to play in the NBA was a guy by the name of Hank Biasatti.

You might find this interesting Biasatti was born in Italy but grew up in Windsor Ontario Canada located across the river (and border) from Detroit Michigan. Interesting in that he played but 6 games for the defunct Toronto Huskies of the BAA which preceded the NBA. His bio indicates he preferred to play baseball over basketball, which is interesting. From those early days we arrive at the name Ernie Vandeweghe, he was born in Montreal but his family moved to Long Island New York while Vandeweghe was a teen. He would attend Colgate (1945-1949) and in 1949 be drafted by the Knicks in the 3rd round. His NBA career lasted until 1956 playing shooting guard and small forward. Some folks even in Canada believe the Raptors or the Vancouver Grizzlies were the first NBA teams of the nation, not so. The honor belongs to the Toronto Huskies who begin play in inaugural season of the BAA (1946) and actually played the league’s first game. The team compiled a 22-38 record in their first season but ceased play in the summer of 1947. So there you have it a thumbnail sketch of Canada and its connection to the NBA, thank you Canada.

What to expect

I always expect an adjustment period for NBA rookies, doesn’t matter how high their profile might be. The most recent example for me is Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. I was sold on Wemby early especially after seeing the two games his French Metropolitans 92 team played against G-League Team Ignite. His first year with the Spurs Wemby was voted NBA Rookie of the Year but it was more than simply winning an award. To borrow a term, Wemby seem to have the right stuff. Fast forward to fall 2025 and despite reading comments from some naysayers I see the same ingredient present in Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks.

Unlike Wemby its possible Flagg might not be named Rookie of the Year but that award is not as important to me as others. As an example there are players honored in that matter and no longer in the NBA after a brief time, I’m not talking injury I am saying their game was later found lacking. As for Flagg I am real patient considering the fact he reclassified and should be in the first semester of his college freshman season yet he’s in the NBA. I wrote this awhile back and continue to believe it, Flagg is not going to wow anyone with his game in a sense. He will simply do those things that will allow the Mavs to become a better team. Maybe in two or three years I will discover I’m wrong, perhaps Flagg cannot play successfully at the NBA level…I doubt it though.