A fan’s perspective

Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

In court rather than on the court

Mizzou coach Dennis Gates was photographed in court while a Kentucky judge was rendering a judgement on former Mizzou forward Mark Mitchell. Meantime CJ Gunn a DePaul transfer was appearing before a Boone County (MO) judge, in both instances the athletes were attempting to gain an additional year of eligibility. I’m not going to go into the details of the why let’s just say I’ve grown tired of this exercise. I am making this statement despite the fact there are Mizzou players involved. The end result, Mitchell has gained eligibility while the Boone County judge issued a temporary restraining order which also allows Gunn to play this season as well. I realize this is “grown folks” business but this issue of eligibility has become irritating to me.

Baby Shaq 

Some of you were introduced to Marcis Ponder this summer. Sources indicate the 7-foot, 328-pound freshman is nicknamed “Baby Shaq.” When we learned he was headed to Florida State, I promised to follow his progress. I’m usually skeptical of high school big men because I believe they often face opponents 3–4 inches shorter and several pounds lighter. But Ponder’s collegiate debut, though only an exhibition, was outstanding: 13 points, 21 rebounds and 3 blocks against Auburn.

It’s just one game, but I’d call that a promising start. I’m not one to rush anyone toward the NBA, but times have changed. If he sustains that level of play, expect him to declare for the 2027 NBA draft. If you’ve read this blog for a period of time you realize the type of game Ponder appears to have it is a favorite of mine. I love Big Man basketball and this is part of what I don’t understand. If a coach has a budding talent such as Ponder why not develop an inside power game? I located three additional 7 foot high school players who are in the Class of 2027, are they going to be trained to shoot three’s?

There remains the game  

My old ESPN has gone the way of the American bison, the bison hunted to almost extinction has returned but certainly not to the 19th Century numbers.  I believe that has become the destiny of the Entertainment Sports and Programming Network, the network is no longer interested in journalism. The truth is ESPN began drifting in this direction several years ago, I offer Pablo Torre’s Clippers investigation as proof. Torre once worked for ESPN but for unknown reasons departed several years ago. As for the network the journalism we witnessed in their 30 for 30 series and other programs provided us evidence of journalism, information and entertainment. If we believe the reported figures the two highest paid on air employees are Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith.

This next portion I find most interesting, in the past it seems every time the credibility of Smith is called into question his fall back response is always the same! He mentions beginning his journalism career as a beat reporter for a Philadelphia newspaper, friends there is no argument that’s where he began his journey. Smith, McAfee along with Mike Greenberg and others have become more well-known for their opinions and entertainment value over pure journalism. Is that a terrible thing….of course not however they along with those who enjoy their views fail to take into account the missing element. That element of course is the journalism, the question remains for me, will I cease watching ESPN? Of course not, there remains the game, the live action of the NBA and college basketball will always be there because that’s the entertainment for me.

Time is the true test

Of all the off-season moves (excluding LeBron James) the Lakers acquiring Walker Kessler in a trade with the Jazz might be the prime move. To offer proof he was signed to a 4-year $130 million contract, this after coming off the 2025-26 season and only 5 games played. Kessler suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder which caused him to miss the season. Were the Lakers desperate after the failed Deandre Ayton experiment? In his brief NBA history Kessler is certainly not (at least for now) on the same level as the player he replaces in the post offensively.

It’s the other things its reported that the 7-foot 2 245 pound Kessler will be an improvement. This from AI Overview; “an elite rim protector, high efficiency interior finisher, and dominant offensive rebounder.” Although Ayton certainly had skill apparently the Laker coaching staff found he was deficient in the areas mentioned. As the headline indicates time is the true test, the decider of whether this move will prove beneficial or not for the Lakers. I remember seeing Kessler in action while at Auburn, I don’t recollect any particular aspect of his game standing out. Despite that fact he’s now in the NBA, someone with more insight than me believed Kessler could play at this level.