A basketball fans outlook

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A  cowboy

Generally when Texas is mentioned there are three to four thoughts of most people. At the top of the list is probably cattle, then maybe cowboys and finally the Lone Star State and the only republic prior to statehood. It’s the largest state in land area in the lower 48, exceeded by the State of Alaska. Generally the urban expanse is now paramount for those living inside and outside Texas. Despite the fact cowboys have somewhat disappeared from our view the San Antonio Spurs have a cowboy on their roster. Guard Keldon Johnson has become a cowboy by choice.

He was born in Chesterfield Virginia played his college basketball at Kentucky. In 2019 the Spurs made Johnson the 29th pick in the first round. As we have witnessed the rise of the Spurs it should be of note Johnson has been a valuable backer to the team as a reserve player, oh…the cowboy portion I almost forgot. Johnson owns the Longhorn Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, there is no indication of the land size of his ranch however it must be somewhat substantial considering his livestock. He owns horses, cows, goats and chickens although that number is not detailed. We have a transplanted Texan who is fulfilling two roles, valued roster member of the Spurs plus his role as a cowboy and rancher.

A decision

Should they decide on the NBA in June the top draft prospects exhibited their skill on the same evening in the Big 12 Tournament. Neither Darryn Peterson of Kansas nor BYU’s AJ Dybansta were particularly sharp from the floor shooting, it was 29.4% for Peterson and 38.9% for Dybansta. I guess we could say Peterson was the winner since his Kansas team was able to beat TCU, as for BYU they were losers against Houston. As most are aware the majority of mock draft sites place Peterson at the top although stock of Dybansta has been increasing the last few weeks. Whoever goes number one, likely depends on the need of the drafting team.

I think back to the reported statement of former Indiana coach Bobby Knight. In 1984 Michael Jordan was thought to be a talent but probably nothing close to what he would become later with the Bulls. The Rockets were expected to draft Hakeem Olajuwon number one, up next was the Blazers. The conversation was reported to have gone in this manner between Knight and the Blazers. This from the Blazers, “We need a center!” Knight was reported to have said; “Draft Jordan and play him at center.” Of course that didn’t occur, with guard Clyde Drexler in his sophomore year the Blazers instead chose center Sam Bowie. Despite his talent prospects a series of injuries kept Bowie from rising to the level many expected. As for that guy Michael Jordan, wonder what happened to him?

The enigma

I have a co-worker who’s informed me more than once, “You are too tough on (Laker) Deandre Ayton!” Some might remember back to last May I was disappointed in the play of Jaxson Hayes in the post during the playoffs. This occurred after AD was traded to the Mavs and Hayes won the position by default. I believe we discovered why Hayes is a reserve player, he’s good for relief but lacks what is required in depth for the position. Many remember how excited I was, the Lakers acquired Ayton and it was my belief they had addressed a chief concern of mine.

I didn’t expect the second coming of Kareem or Shaq and stated as such, what I did expect was a post player to do those things required within his abilities. Unfortunately, in my view we’ve only seen bits and pieces of what I’d hoped. The culmination for me was the comment by Ayton to the media; “They (Lakers) trying to make me Clint Capela.” For some who might be unfamiliar with Capela he spent his most productive early years with the Rockets as their starting center. He produced scoring although he was never the focal point, grabbed rebounds and did the other stuff to aid the cause for the Rockets. Capela was traded to the Hawks for a time but has since returned to the Rockets. From a fan’s viewpoint I see nothing wrong with the production Capela was able to produce for a time. So there it is, whether its frustration on his part or something else once again Ayton provides proof of his attitude, one that existed with the Suns and later the Blazers.

With LeBron on his way out the door plus Luka and Reaves in front of him Ayton was never going to be primary to the team’s offense. Grab a rebound, defend the paint and be prepared for a lob…that’s all the Lakers asked of him. After excited with his acquisition at first I’m now ready to move on to a “hungry” rookie in the post. Former NBA player and ESPN basketball analyst Kendrick Perkins uses the term diva in describing Ayton so its not just me, the attitude he often exhibits is visible to all. The Jekyll and Hyde game he exhibits was event on Thursday night against the Bulls as the good side was evident. 

It depends on your perspective

There are occasions you are asked a question and the wheels begin to turn you think to yourself, “I wonder why he/she asked that?” Don’t get me wrong you are always entitled to your opinion but consider it’s a two-way street. If you ask my opinion I am going to be as honest as I can, you might not agree however this must be taken into consideration. You asked, “my opinion,” there is no requirement for it to line up with an outlook expressed by you.

With that explanation out of the way the question might be what prompted this account? This is it, I was once asked, "Why do you write about basketball when it is not currently in season?" The explanation is straightforward: although I no longer listen to sports talk radio regularly, out of curiosity I tuned into both sports talk radio stations briefly this afternoon. The hosts were discussing the NFL—even though technically the Super Bowl ended the football season on February 8th. My intention is not to criticize NFL enthusiasts; rather, my point is that there is essentially no true off-season for any professional or college sports.