How Tamar Bates has turned himself into a key cog for Mizzou

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsWatching Tamar Bates long enough, and one thought – at least for those older than 30 – is irrepressible: that guy reminds me of Kareem Rush.

Start with Bates’ cursory biography: a lefty wing rated around 30th nationally, hailing from stomping grounds around Kansas City. Describing the 6-foot-5 junior’s movement demands an artistic adjective that seems inadequate or verging on hyperbole. Elegant seems inarticulate, while balletic is over the top.

For a moment, you might think using that comparison is unfair. We should take theIndiana transfer on his own terms. Maybe we should ditch a lazy shorthand altogether.

A week ago, though, when Missouri faced Florida, any…