TERRY MOSHER
TOP OF THE TOWN – What should be interesting is where the six former Washington Husky basketball players that entered the transfer portal wind up? It’s my contention that they are a mix of mediocre players that didn’t live up to their reputations. To refresh, RaeQuan Battle, Nate Pryor, J’Raan Brooks, Erik Stevenson, Hameir Wright and Marcus Tsohonis all have left the Husky program seeking better on-court opportunities. I think it says something about the coach (Mike Hopkins) and the program when so many players depart like rats on a sinking ship. Where they wind up – indeed if they find places to play – will determine the quality of the six. If they find their way to a blue blood program like Kentucky that would mean one thing, but if they can only be recruited to the Sisters of the Poor that could mean something more sinister and justify my belief that they were over-hyped and were not that good to begin with. Which would lead to the conclusion the Huskies did a poor job of recruiting. Two assistant coaches also have left – Dave Rice and Cameron Dollar. What does their departure mean? Something smells. As the old saying goes, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” What has happened to the Husky program is an erasure has been taken out and the slate cleaned. So now what? Whatever happens from here, I won’t trust. I can’t believe in words any longer. You have to show me in results. So far, it doesn’t look good. You don’t wipe out most of the team and then expect success the following season. It could be a long haul form here to get back into Pac-12 contention. If I was the athletic director, I would continue to clean the slate by ridding myself of coach Hop. Washington is a desired place to coach and it shouldn’t be difficult to find a better replacement. … I don’t normally watch the regular NBA season. The game, for me, has outgrown the rules and guys that are taller than some trees look like Marcus Haynes dribbling the ball and shooting the ball like they are playing with 8-foot hoops. Oh yeah, the dunks. Lots of dunks. The major problem for me is that I can’t visualize just how big and tall and how strong and powerful these guys are from TV. If I was courtside I’m certain I would be mesmerized by these freaks of nature. I was courtside and covered basketball of the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle and I was thunderstruck how tall the international players were and how easily they nailed 3-pointers. Their performances changed the way the game was played in America. Yugoslavia beat the United States for Gold with the Soviet Union defeating Brazil for third place. I’ve seen some great players in Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in my early years and they would be great in today’s game. But today’s game showcases more players with height and weight and strength and power and speed and quickness then it did back in the 1970s and 80s and even the 90s. But I can’t visualize it on my TV so it tends to be boring for me. I like to see strategy in my games – football, baseball, soccer, basketball – and it’s hard to see that in today’s NBA when the players make the game as it’s played now look so easy on TV. I have come,though, to appreciate Steph Curry. He really is unbelievable. He’s averaged 39.9 points in his last nine games. I’ve never seen anything like him. His shot selection is from unlimited range and he gets his shot off quicker than anybody. Catch and shoot, all in about a second. A defender has no chance. Jerry West was a little like that back in the day. You couldn’t leave West open for a second because he would pop in a shot just like that. West averaged 46.3 points for one playoff series and if the three-point shot was available in his time who knows what his average would have been. West was called “Zeke from Cabin Creek” for a creek near where he lived growing up in West Virginia. Ok, enough of my rambling. Stay safe.
Be well pal.
Be careful out there.
Have a great day.
You are loved.