Thoughts From the Basketball Action on MLK Day

I just want to take care of a cosmetic issue before I proceed. We have had to postpone the first episode of our podcast, The ShoreBall Podcast Show. We are trying to coordinate everyone's schedule, so as soon as we can do that, we will inform everyone of the show date and time.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to catch a good amount of basketball, both college and professional, on TV throughout the day. ESPN started the day televising an NBA matchup (Chicago vs. Memphis) and then followed that by televising Big Monday which featured four games. Later on in the night, TNT aired a double header featuring OKC vs Boston and Dallas vs. LA (Lakers).

In checking out the majority of these games, these are my thoughts:

The Big East has widely been regarded as the best basketball conference, but the Big 12 may be making a case this year. While the Big East has more teams in the Top 25 (Big East - 5, Big 12 - 4), three of the Big 12 teams are in the Top 10 and all three were in action yesterday (Missouri, Baylor, and Kansas). Missouri looked like a team that could make a long run in the tournament with their guard play. For more information on the Big Monday games, click here.

The Thomas Robinson/Perry Jones III matchup was interesting to watch, at least in the first half of the Baylor/Kansas game. The game was pretty even until Perry Jones III turned his ankle towards the end of the first half. He stayed in the game briefly before leaving the game briefly before the half. Kansas went on a 13-0 run to close the half and never looked back. Thomas Robinson won the matchup (27 points, 14 rebounds) but Perry Jones III (18 points, 5 rebounds) played through the injury and showed glimpses over the talent that many NBA scouts are high on. Both are talented players and look to be high NBA draft picks - Robinson plays with more energy while Jones has more of an all-around skill set.

The Lakers pulled out a three point victory over the Dallas Mavericks, needing a Derek Fisher three-pointer in the closing seconds to give them the win. Lamar Odom returned to LA after the offseason trade that didn't happen and then the one that did happen, which resulted in him being dealt to the Dallas Mavericks. He has been struggling to find his rhythm early on this year, averaging only 7.0 ppg on 31.4% shooting. Prior to the game, he stated that he had contemplated leaving the game for a year after a myriad of off the court events. He played slightly better last night, scoring 10 points in a rough shooting game for both teams. The Mavericks will need him to continue to improve his production in order to make a long run in the playoffs.

Also, this past Sunday I had the opportunity to attend a local minor league professional basketball game featuring the Tru Hope Trailblazers vs. the Portsmouth Cavaliers. The Trailblazers won the game 116-111. For more information concerning the game, click here.