A fans perspective

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Finally, a Quad 1 victory

Allow the coach to coach his team, that statement is aimed at me and most of Mizzou Nation. After a loss to Notre Dame and two blow out losses to Kansas and Illinois we knew why. It was the ‘soft’ non-con schedule Mizzou had played, it didn’t allow them to prepare for tough teams. Well that’s not exactly the way Dennis Gates sees it, apparently the issue of scheduling must have been a topic of discussion. One of the broadcasters indicated Gates was okay with their schedule, so much for guys like me. I’m sitting in front of my television trying to coach the team 150 miles away from my home. As for the ‘meat and potatoes,’ it was a contested game, Florida, the defending NCAA champion was ranked the number 22 team in the nation.

The apparent lack of effort by Mizzou in several past games was not evident Saturday night, Mizzou had two goal tending calls in the first half. That type of play will never be criticized by me, it details team effort by Mizzou. The final score would read Mizzou 76, Florida 74 as the Tigers almost gave it away at the end. Mizzou’s Mark Mitchell went to the free-throw line and bricked both free throws giving Florida a last second attempt at a basket which missed. The Tigers had three players score in double figures and despite several hiccups Mizzou was aggressive throughout the game. What does this hold for the future of Mizzou basketball? The hope Mizzou Nation held at the beginning of the season has been validated at least for this game, the truth of the matter there are a number of tough games remaining in the SEC.

Where is he

There are several who broadcast NBA games I look forward to listening to them. I was fortunate to hear the voice of the legendary Chick Hearn a few years before his passing, he certainly had a unique style. I wondered why he was so descriptive and I later discovered at that time Laker games were simulcast on radio and television, Hearn was being descriptive for the radio portion of his audience. The other legend was Marv Albert who’d been the longtime broadcaster for the Knicks until he took on a national broadcast role with NBA which had the rights and later TNT.

We also have Mike Breen who doubles his role as a broadcaster for the Knicks and ESPN/ABC. A voice that’s been missing so far this season is that of Kevin Harlan, he was a longtime broadcaster for NBA games on TNT. I’m sure there were questions regarding his status since TNT was no longer part of the NBA family of networks. I found out Harlan signed a three year deal with Prime, he will broadcast games for the network but reduce the number. Harlan will continue to do NFL for CBS and radio for Westwood One. There been no mention of Harlan and college basketball broadcast for CBS. There you have it, the status of one of the voices of the NBA that’s been missing thus far. This only represented those who conduct play by play and excludes those providing color commentary.

It's no longer an issue

I read a letter I believe from a Kansas fan, it was written regarding Darryn Peterson presumed top 2026 draft pick. In the game against UCF he returned to action scoring 26 points with 23 coming in the first half. On a minutes restriction and with a leg problem cropping up again he sat for the final 10 minutes of the 81-75 victory by UCF. The writer said and I paraphrase “All he’s doing is waiting his time to begin play in the NBA.” Peterson missed 7 games in November then played 4 and finally missing the past 2. My thought, “buddy you just now discovering there is such a thing called “one n done.” Once upon a time I might have echoed a similar view, it was my belief that if a player committed to a school he was there at least through his junior year. I too wasn’t pleased when player after player declared for the NBA draft however my perspective had to change if I were to continue enjoying college basketball.

It’s not my duty to convince this fan to come to my side of the table because there might be other factors affecting his view of the process. In any event I cannot relate the year or the particular athlete that caused me to change my mind regarding one n done. As for the educational part of the equation a number of NBA players have returned during or after their NBA career to secure a degree. They have done this at a time there is no requirement except self-satisfaction or a promise to mom or dad. You know the names, Shaquille O’Neal, Dr. J., Vince Carter and Isiah Thomas are just a few of the names. Non athletes beginning college don’t always gain a degree so the fact a number of athletes don’t either why should that be surprising? In any event the newly adopted motto for me has become this, “Try and not become too upset on those things you have little if any control over.”

Slightly misleading 

NBA teams such as the Spurs don’t have a monopoly regarding NBA Rookie of the Year. It just so happens they have been in a position to draft the consensus top pick who eventually earns the honor of being selected the best first year player in the association. A writer claimed, “The Spurs know how to choose players who become Rookie of the Year.” He identified David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama as examples. My belief, how could the Spurs not choose these players with the exception of Castle, more on him later. Check this out, Robinson’s entry into the NBA was delayed due to his military commitment and the Spurs were aware of this at the time he was chosen number one. Robinson was a two-time All American plus College Player of the Year in 1987.

Robinson began play in the NBA two years after the draft, 1989 would become his rookie year. As for Duncan he was a three-time All American and twice ACC player of the year, he was drafted number one in 1997 by the Spurs. I’m going to skip Castle for now and move to Wemby, he’d demonstrated his talent in France but the two games he played in Las Vegas against G-League Team Elite in October 2022 had scouts raving about his skill set. After his play there were few who didn’t believe Wemby would be the top pick. Now we take a peek at Castle the Spurs multi-purpose guard, seeing his play for UConn and winning the NCAA championship he was projected to be an NBA talent however there was a bit of difference. Unlike the others Castle was the number 4th pick in the first round of the 2024 draft. He certainly has demonstrated his talent to date but my contention, his outcome was different from the others. He was a potential talent but hardly expected to be named Rookie of the Year.