A basketball fans outlook

Sunday & Monday-Wednesday-Friday & Saturday

I wish I could become excited again

The final score read Arkansas 88 Missouri 84, it’s the game and the Missouri program under discussion. I haven’t pointed this out recently but this Missouri team seems to whip good teams but lose to awful ones. Folks in Oklahoma can cease reading now because they are going to be upset with me but I’m gonna say it anyway. There was no excuse for the loss against the Sooners on March 3 yet Missouri did. Headed into the game the Sooners had a 15-14 record and Missouri was 20-9 yet they were losers 80-64. As for the Arkansas loss on Saturday the number 20 Razorbacks were on the cusp of losing till the Tigers imploded in OT.

Critics have voiced their disapproval of coach Gates game strategy and he must share a portion of the blame for the poor play the last two games. It seems the “hurry up” approach cost the Tigers a victory on Saturday. Behind by 2 points with seconds remaining point guard T.O. Barrett took the ball down the court and attempted to dribble between two defenders. I’m unsure which but one was able to force the ball from Barrett’s hands. In an attempt to retrieve the ball he fouled the player, the result two free throws for the winners. I refuse to root against Missouri but that was one of the poorest decisions by this point guard yet. It wasn’t just Barrett alone there were others who shared the blame with him. Missed free throws, failure to box out properly, I could go on however I will stop for now.   

Arrogance

I believe a number of my co-workers judge me arrogant when it comes to basketball related discussions. They are probably thinking, “You don’t listen to anybody do you?” Well technically that’s not true, I have selective listening skills. Keep in mind I had zero talent playing the game at a high skill level, mine was strictly of the playground variety. There were always those in front of me who were more skilled and willing to work more diligently than me. No matter the number of voices I hear or read, a filter is utilized by yours truly to decide who I listen to versus those I choose to ignore. We have an abundance of opinions expressed in print plus radio and television.

What is attempted on my part is to separate the information deemed vital versus the entertainment factor that exists for some. A portion of the insight into me comes from education, beginning in elementary school through college several influenced me in this area. They said in essence “Question everything,” this simply meant don’t accept a single view of someone or something. I would say that applies to this blog as well, the subject matter might cause you to wonder “did that really occur as he describes it.” I hold to this belief, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Despite this fact there is no requirement for me to agree with their opinion or for you to agree with mine. One of my co-workers indicated that many who write or report on sports are entertainers, I thought for a moment I can agree with that. Bottom line, consider the source or does the report appear to be valid?

Inside out game      

The NBA is no longer a Big Man’s game from an offensive standpoint, despite that fact it seems teams are always seeking quality play at the center position. Who were the best of the best during the time center play was deemed premium, you wanted a post player who could rebound and clog the middle providing defense. If that center could score that would become a premium, who are the best of the past? The name at the top of my list might be a surprise to some but read on for the WHY.

Bill Russell…because he played “belly-button” defense on the opposition. Check the record for yourself, the Celtics were a good team, after his arrival they became a GREAT team. Russell accumulated more championship rings (11) than fingers. Immediately behind Russell I’m going to place Wilt Chamberlain, the “Big Dipper” was well known for his offense but fails to be given credit for his defense and passing. To my knowledge he’s the lone player to ever block Kareem Abdul Jabbars’ Sky Hook. Understand this, one year he decided to concentrate on passing the rock, he led the NBA in assists that season. I mentioned him earlier, Kareem Abdul Jabbar would break Chamberlain’s scoring record and no one came close for decades until LeBron James exceeded it. Opposing centers would push, tug on him in a number of ways to prevent the Sky Hook most of the time they were unsuccessful. At number four would be Nate Thurmond, probably not as well-known as the other names on my list. He actually was Chamberlain’s backup when he first arrived in the NBA, later when Chamberlain was traded Thurmond assume the lead role. He’s placed here because of one factor, Russell retired the year before Abdul Jabbar’s arrival and he said, “Thurmond played him tougher than any other center in the NBA.”

The last center on my list perfected his center play playing soccer as a youngster. His name, Hakeem Olajuwon and he might not have been the first but certainly the most successful player from the African continent. His moves around the basket caused opponents to nickname his moves “The Dream Shake.” A number of very good centers demand they be included as honorable mentions, they are Artis Gilmore, David Robinson, Jack Sikma, Shaquille O’Neal, Walt Bellamy and Moses Malone. There you have it, my Top 5 all-time post players and guess what…each has been enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame