A fans perspectives

Published Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

Meanwhile…

Darryn Peterson is considered the top NBA pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Leg problems have kept him in and out of the Kansas lineup, despite that fact his last two games were productive. In the game against Texas Tech Peterson didn’t have a particularly good shooting night (5-14) but he was clutch at crunch time. Basketball continues as a team sport and Flory Bidunga and Melvin Council provided much needed assistance in the back and forth game, this is how the tail end portion of the game began. Although they were behind the Jayhawks managed to hold a 14 -2 rebound edge in the final 6 minutes of the game. Peterson provided us proof he was unafraid of the moment. Behind by three points Peterson took the shot which tied the game, later he would provide a three which ultimately resulted in the 64-61 win for Kansas. The Kansas Jayhawks after stumbling a bit at the beginning of the season appear to have righted the ship.

This account is written before the trade is finalized, it appears James Harden is on the move once again. The Clippers point guard is due a ‘balloon-type payment’ and apparently the Clippers are unwilling to pay him. Based on this fact he is reported to have requested a trade, at present the Cavaliers are reported to be the destination. Because this move is fluid my intent is to only cover the Clippers side of the trade, there have been names mention that I intend to hold off naming them until there is confirmation. Should this trade be consummated this will become Harden’s 6th NBA team. Drafted by the Thunder he was later traded to the Rockets, from there it was the Nets and then Sixers and finally the Clippers. I pose the question, despite being named league MVP one season is Harden a Hall of Fame nominee once he retires?

McDonald’s All American

It’s quite an accolade to be named a McDonald’s All American, consider this fact for a minute. There are an estimated 450,000 plus boys who play basketball at the high school level across the nation. Since the inception of a McDonald’s All American team in 1977 the University of Missouri a.k.a. Mizzou’s connection to the honor has been infrequent. In 1979 Steve Stipanovich was accorded the honor prior to arriving in Columbia, it would be 1984 before another high school talent was named an All American, that would be Derrick Chievous.

In 1988 it was Anthony Peeler and 2000 saw Travon Bryant being named to the team. In 2017 Michael Porter Jr. (now with the Brooklyn Nets) was named to the team. 2026 will find two incoming Tigers named McDonald’s All Americans, that would be Jason Crowe Jr. and Toni Bryant. Based on your prior reading you see having an all-star on the roster is not unusual, what is different this time there are two athletes. As for the 1977 team one of the most well-known names on that first team was Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson who was enrolled at East Lansing High School in East Lansing Michigan. It should be of note to those reading this, being named a McDonald’s All American is no guarantee of future success.

The dawn of a new day

The basketball program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City or Kansas City which is the name commonly used now will begin a new journey new journey next fall. A bit of background before proceeding. The Kansas City program began play at the NAIA level but moved to NCAA Division I in 1987, despite this fact the program has operated a revolving door with its hire of head coaches. In addition in all that time the school has never come close to receiving an NCAA tournament invitation and the reason is clear…lack of victories.

The school announced last month that veteran coach Marvin Menzies would not return to head the program. The hope of many for a successful winning program over time has never materialized, only 4 of the coaches in the team’s history had a winning record. The latest was Billy Donlon who left in 2022 after three seasons to become an assistant coach with another program, that spells danger with a capital D. In my opinion why leave a program you headed (somewhat successfully) for one you are simply tasked with assistant coaching duties. This past Sunday, the school announced they have hired Mark Turgeon as the school’s 13th head coach. Turgeon has an extensive record and most of it winning at several stops. After playing at Kansas he would began his coaching career at Jacksonville State.

He spent his first 2 seasons coaching the Florida school, he would then spend the next 7 seasons heading the program at Wichita State and another 4 at Texas A&M. Maryland hired Turgeon in 2011 and he remained there until 2022 when he and the school agreed to a buy-out. Based on his bio this coach has been a winner at the three stops mentioned, the question is can he convince the athletic department the school must began a serious effort to recruit talent. UMKC or Kansas City must become serious if the school ever intends to compete for talent on a national basis.

That was the nickname

The ‘Bruise Brother’s was their nickname, i.e., Rick Mahorn and Jeff Ruland. The NBA of the 1980’s was nothing like today’s game. It was much more physical than what we see today. Nowhere was this more in evidence than the Washington Bullets of that time. On one side stood Rick Mahorn 6-foot 10 and 260 pounds…opposite of him was teammate Jeff Ruland also 6-foot 10 but slightly smaller at 240 pounds. They were principally in the Bullets lineup to play tough hard nose defense which is exactly what both of them did.

It was said opposing players would be bruised after an afternoon or evening facing these two. Devastating picks and they almost dared you to go in for a layup, you might sink the basket but find yourself on the floor from the hard foul. You might have read or heard the term “pulling the chair out from under you.” It’s a trick Mahorn used to perfection, an opposing player would lean on him in anticipation of a move. Mahorn would simply move to his right or left allowing that player to fall to the floor…ask Charles Barkley. Those days are long gone the NBA has gotten soft, the days of Charles Oakley, Bill Lambieer the Bruise Brothers and others no longer exist. There are a number of positives regarding today’s players which make them better.