A basketball fans outlook

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I missed

It was March 2, 1962, exactly 64 years ago, Monday was the anniversary of “The Game.” When that evening was over Wilt Chamberlain has set a record that will never be eclipsed. At that time, the Warriors called Philadelphia home but this game had been “farmed out” to Hersey some 100+ miles from Philly. That game witnessed Chamberlain scoring 100 points against the Knicks setting the individual single game scoring record. Over time a number of NBA players experienced high scoring games, Kobe Bryant probably was nearest to breaking the record with his 81 point game January 22, 2006.

Despite the fact of the Chamberlain record there are a legion of folks inside and outside of the game who don’t believe the feat ever occurred. The argument I’ve heard expressed by the cynics, no film or video exists of the game which is true. Back then there were fewer televised games, years later a radio broadcast of the 4th quarter was located and is now in the Library of Congress. As for the disbelievers they claim the 1969 moon landing was fake too although there is video proof of it. I no longer argue with anyone, its your choice to believe or not, as for me…I’m a believer.

This is the 1%

Generally 99% of the time I side with NBA players on most issues, this is the 1% of the time I don’t. Draymond Green of the Warriors is certainly entitled to his opinion I just happen to disagree this time. He was complaining about the 65-game played rule to be eligible for NBA MVP. The question of course…why did the NBA place this rule in effect? As I read with load management existing throughout the league it was believed the players needed to be incentivized to participate in as many games as possible.

As outstanding a talent as Kawhi Leonard is I believe he is the main reason the NBA implemented the rule in the first place. There is more travel now with a 30-team league over that which faced The Big O, Wilt and some of the other immortals of the past. Despite this fact those of an earlier generation only sat down for games when they were injured, they didn’t sit simply to rest. I would be very upset if I attended a Knicks game and discovered Karl-Anthony Towns wasn’t playing. This occurrence after I spend nearly $200.00 for tickets, parking and concessions. We get it Draymond, there should have been no reason to implement such a rule.

The best

We argue all the time “What’s the best college team in the nation?” Generally speaking these contests are never settled, you make your point(s) the opponent his at that point the debate ends. This is slightly different take, how about a twist, which conference has the best intramural basketball? For a solution to the question it was necessary to check the latest RPI rankings and ratings. At the top or 1 is the conference we thought, the Big 12 is currently the strongest rated conference in the nation. 

Right behind them at number 2. is the SEC followed at 3. by the Big 10. It would appear at least this season play in the ACC and Big East have suffered with them finishing 4. and 5. Even more interesting the ACC contains Duke and North Carolina two perennial basketball powerhouse programs. As for the Big East, the conference of Georgetown and St. John’s no longer contains the prestige teams it once contained. Behind the Big East, the Mountain West (6), Atlantic 10 (7), WCC (8), MVC (9) and the American Conference at 10 comprise the top strongest conferences in the nation.

Allow me to introduce

Prior to the season the thought by Celtic fans might have been, “Who do we plug in at center?” Sunday evening they received a partial answer. His name is Neemias Queta and he played his college basketball at Utah State, Queta led the way to victory for the Celtics 114-98. This career game for Queta consisted of 27 points, 17 rebounds 3 blocks 2 assist and 1 steal but how did he make his way to the Celtics? It was a circuitous route beginning in Barreiro Portugal where he was born 26-years ago. In this country he began play with Utah State but left for the draft.

The 7-foot 1 250 pound Queta was made a second round pick in 2021 by the Kings, he would play with the teams’ G-League affiliate however for unknown reasons, the team waived Queta in August 2023 after he signed a standard contract with the parent club. The following month, September 2023, he signed a two-way contract with the Celtics. Queta was “buried” on the depth chart behind other centers on the roster which included Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet. After the departure of the three named Queta became the starter prior to the 2025-26 season. Despite the breakout game his regular season numbers are not extraordinary however the Celtic brain trust appears to believe in a bright future for him. It should also be of note Queta is the first basketball player from Portugal to be drafted into the NBA.