A fans perspectives

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What the heck      

In the space of a little more than 48 hours the ship was literally dismantled, it certainly hasn’t sunk but it’s taking on water. The ship I speak of is the Los Angeles Clippers. Apparently management has decided to go in another direction, part of it driven by player demand while others just leave us scratching our head. The Clippers had begun the season with a terrible start but thanks to James Harden and Ivica  Zubac were able to steer the ship around the rocks and other impediments. Soon Kawhi Leonard was able to come on board emerging from the injury list. Leonard’s outstanding play plus Harden and Zubac and others it appeared the early season poor play was in the rear view mirror. Then it occurred, we heard rumblings that Harden wanted out,

This was compounded by the fact Harden was operating under a one-year contract and apparently there was reluctance on the part of management to pay for the second year. Keep this in mind, he didn’t hold them hostage management signed him to the contract. Then it occurred, Southern California Harden was traded to wintry Cleveland for Darius Garland, although injured Garland can play and is 10 years younger. On Thursday afternoon came word the Clippers traded Ivica Zubac to the Pacers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and draft picks. What happened, apparently management must have decided to go in a different direction we really don’t know since we are not part of the brain trust of the Clippers. I cannot deal with draft choices, that’s a catch-22, warm bodies determine a teams direction. This was not a robbery, the players received by the Clippers should aid the cause however will they be able to play at the level of Harden and Zubac is the chief question.

Meanwhile…

Free agency has significantly transformed the landscape of professional sports, enabling athletes to move between teams with relative freedom. While this system remains prevalent with NFL football and Major League Baseball, the situation within the NBA is notably different. This from AI overview: “NBA teams can trade throughout the year, but the main offseason trading period typically begins in late June, just before the NBA Draft, and intensifies when the new league year starts on July 6, 2025. For the 2025-26 season, the trade deadline is Feb. 5, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET.” As for the question why the NBA trades more players than other professional sports I have no answer.  

It’s unlikely LeBron James will have an opportunity to play alongside Bryce James. It was announced this James will redshirt for his freshman year and he might have been impacted by at least two issues. The first might be playing time, he arrived on campus to an Arizona team which at this writing is undefeated. Freshman don’t play on exceptionally good teams unless they are outstanding. In addition, there is the adjustment required the leap from competitive high school play to Division I basketball. I’ve never seen the younger sibling in action, I’ve been told “He’s better than Bronny.” We shall see his play next season as a red shirt freshman.   

I wasn’t holding my breath for the Lakers BIG TRADE, instead I hoped they would make some sort of move. On Thursday prior to the deadline it occurred, they traded Gabe Vincent for Luke Kennard. Kennard is currently leading the NBA in 3 point shooting percentage (49.7%). Do you suppose the Lakers might find a spot for him? Just kidding folks, other than a wing defender scoring from the bench is the other great need for this team. Hopefully, Kennard will impact the game receiving passes from Luka, LeBron and Austin.

In an October 24 OT win over the Pelicans Victor Wembanyama blocked 9 shots in the game. There is no method to determine how many shots were missed by the opposition attempting to avoid him. I mistakenly believed that game was a career number that is not so. During his rookie season Wemby recorded 10 blocks and a triple-double in his teams February 12, 2024, game against the Toronto Raptors. Just in case you were curious, former Laker Elmore Smith holds the single game blocked shot record with 17, he accomplished this October 28, 1973, against the Blazers.

FREE THROW

Many claim when you type a word or sentence in all caps you are screaming, I guess that’s what I’m doing in this case. Nothing irritates me at a greater level than to see a player at the free throw line brick shot after shot after shot. It’s a FREE THROW buddy, no one is guarding you…your attempt is not contested by one or more opposing players. Despite that fact you miss and it becomes consistent for players and in some instances teams. Currently the Mizzou Tigers are shooting 66.7% from the line, not terrible but not great either. If you check out the numbers for the SEC you will discover that figure places Mizzou as the number 15 team in a 16 team conference. Mizzou has 7 losses as this is written, there is no method for me to provide you proof they could have had 2 or 3 more wins if they sunk their free throws. I’ve long held the belief that individuals and teams don’t shoot well from the line because they fail to practice.

I’ve mentioned this previously and will repeat it, a long-time high school coach in the metro told this story. He claimed when his teams finished running drills and he allowed them free time many would be practicing dunks rather than free throws. After all shooting free throws will never rise to the level of a dunk for the spectators and that players ego. I’m not going to repeat the excuses I read regarding Shaquille O’Neal and his poor shooting. The only statement I will repeat is this; “I make em when it counts” which was his response and totally untrue. For his 19-year NBA career Shaq was 52.7% from the line but he wasn’t the only one. For his 14-years in the league the great Wilt Chamberlain was 51.1%, these are but two examples of outstanding players but poor at the line shooters. Contrast those two with the efforts of Steph Curry with his 91.2% or former great Rick Barry at 89.3%. It might appear there is no leeway on my part which is untrue, it’s my belief every player college, NBA or whatever should be able to shoot at least 75% from the line with continuous practice.