A basketball fans perspective

Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Okay, we hear you

A member of the media has gone on the record, I’ve mentioned his statement previously. He says; “Victor Wembanyama cannot be the face of the NBA because he’s not an American.” If that’s your opinion too so be it however I don’t agree with your take on the matter. Firstly, is there really a requirement for someone to be the face of the NBA….I’d ask that question first? Let’s say there is a need for a superstar (or budding one) to be that face, there are several candidates who in one way or another were never reported to have been considered. At the beginning of this exercise I could mention the defending champion Thunder and their star SGA. Last year’s MVP and there are other adjectives we could add behind SGA’s name. 

We then move on to Nikola Jokic, NBA champion and four time league MVP we could also consider Giannis Antetokounmpo but then we discover a problem, those named are foreign born, SGA a Canadian citizen and The Joker from Serbia while Giannis is from Greece. Surely there must be others to consider as the face of the NBA. Looking back over time in 2023 Joel Embiid (born in Cameroon) now an American citizen was MVP, from 2008 through 2018 a native born player was named MVP and we guess the face of the NBA. This proves little in my opinion, if this media person chooses to ignore generational athlete Wemby so be it, that’s not me, I believe he is already the face of the NBA. More on generational talent in related accounts.

What about him

I live about 45-50 miles from Lawrence Kansas but on the Missouri side. Although a longtime member of Mizzou Nation I thought a check of 5-star prospect Tyran Stokes might be meaningful. Allow me to correct some stuff, because a recruiting battle existed between Kentucky and Kansas once Stokes made his decision known this is what we read. “Kansas was able to succeeded in recruiting this native Kentuckian,” which is not quite correct. It’s true Stokes was born in Louisville but his bio indicates he grew up in San Diego, Napa and Atlanta.

Stokes was born in Kentucky but left the state during his elementary school years. He attended two prep schools in California, ultimately completing his high school basketball career at Ranier Beach in Seattle. Stokes arrives in Lawrence the number one high school prospect in the nation just as Darryn Peterson had done the previous year. That’s where the comparison ends, Peterson is a 6 foot-6 inch 205 pound guard. Stokes stands 6-foot 7 and checks in at 230 pounds. He is projected to play small forward however his weight might allow him to slide over to the power forward position on occasion. There is no question regarding his talent the chief issue for him will be the same one that Peterson faced….adapting his game to his teammates and the college game.

I don’t know

Did the Lakers win their playoff game against the Thunder last night? I have no idea because this is written Wednesday morning after they were losers on Tuesday 108-90, an 18 point difference. This is a little misleading in a sense….check the box score. For the most part the numbers are close, if you hadn’t witnessed the game you might question who was the winner. For fans of the Thunder this is no attempt on my part to minimize the loss in Game One, this was not the outcome this member of Laker Nation desired.

Chet Holmgren led the way for the Thunder scoring 24 points along with 12 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. SGA only scored 18 points but had 7 assists. On the Lakers side LeBron James led the way with 27 points along with 6 assists, this 41-year old had but 2 TO’s in 36 minutes of action. Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart tried to aid the effort but that was about it, AR-15 had an ineffective game, hopefully he bounced back in last night’s game. Look, there is no intent on my part to downplay the Thunder victory, as I indicated this was not the outcome I planned on occurring. Did the Lakers play better in last night’s game, I don’t know because this reminder….once again this is written ahead of the game. 

Several moves since season end 

Missouri’s basketball season did not finish in the manner most in Mizzou Nation hoped. With last season in the rearview mirror we look ahead. A portion of the groundwork for the 2026-27 season was already complete with high school recruits arriving in the fall. As for the transfer portal Missouri appears to have made great strides in that area. Naturally, the results will be unknown until the season is completed and the NCAA tournament. Since his arrival four years ago Dennis Gates has assembled his most complete roster ever. The most recent addition Kennard Davis Jr. a 6-foot 6 inch combo guard/small forward, he arrives from a BYU team that managed 23 wins and a 6 seed in the NCAA tournament.

It is quite necessary that this assembly of talent from various programs establish cohesive play in order to attain success on the basketball court. It’s clear the national media views this Missouri team quite different from those of the past. It’s my belief the vast majority of Mizzou fans are ready for basketball season to begin in June or July, that’s how excited most appear to be. As for the naysayers I will not make any effort of encouragement, you must secure approval for yourself. Recently coach Gates indicated with the NCAA tournament being expanded Missouri might look at its schedule differently. For several years it’s been my belief that the schedule was somewhat light, there were a few tough teams in the mix but for the most part the non-con was not too difficult. It always prepared Missouri to begin conference play with a winning record.