The Bibby’s
We could easily see the family Bibby is a basketball family. Grandfather Henry played at UCLA where he was a key contributor to three NCAA Championships. Henry had a 9-year NBA career
and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Grizzlies. Son Mike won an NCAA Championship at Arizona and had an NBA career most of it spent with the Sacramento Kings. Mike’s son is beginning to develop his game; Junior is a 5-11 point guard who will be entering his sophomore year. Interesting, grandfather, father now the grandson all basketball players. I did not, repeat did not state Junior had a future NBA career; it would be interesting if it did occur.
Howard’s side of the story
I found it fascinating listening to Stephen A. Smith pontificate on the Howard to Houston move. Smith on ESPN’s First Take claims he was relating the conversation he held with Dwight Howard; the following is a brief portion of that conversation and condensed. “At the time Mike Brown was fired he (Howard) went to Laker management and asked them to hire Phil Jackson.” Several in the media have claimed Howard had an issue with D’Antoni’s offense. Howard’s problem with the offense may be true however that’s Part A. of the Howard puzzle.
Part B. is from former Laker center Shaquille O’ Neal, his comment came during a radio interview. Briefly the quote was; “he (Shaq) was no fan of Phil Jackson’s triangle offense but he tweaked it and so did Kobe.” Many Laker fans might remember the “young” Kobe clashed with the coach over the offense and Kobe in the early days often deviated from the offense. I’m sure many reading this will claim its sour grapes on my part that is not the intent. Smith and others are claiming the Lakers made a mistake in allowing Howard to leave; I refuse to buy into that view.
Bits n Pieces
Two date only two NBA players have emerged from the Caribbean nation of Haiti. There just might be a third at some point in the future. Be sure to remember the name Skal Labissiere. Labissiere is a 6-10 200 pound center in the Class of 2015 prospect; he’s awarded 5-stars from ESPN Recruiting Nation and 5-stars from Rivals. He attends Evangelical Christian School in Memphis.
Which African nation has produced the most NBA talent? If you guessed the West African nation of Nigeria you are correct, to date the number of athletes developed is 12 through the 2012-13 season? “Basketball without Borders” is a key contributor to develop talent on the African continent. Wikipedia
Negus Webster-Chan departed Mizzou for the University of Hawaii, despite his leaving the number of our northern neighbor Canada remains the same. 6-11 small forward Stefan Jankovic is entering his sophomore year. New to the program mentioned earlier is junior college 7 footer Keanau Post. Jankovic is from Mississauga, Ontario while Post calls Victoria, British Columbia home. Both are in the weight room for different reasons, Jankovic to become stronger in the post area without adding to his 242 pounds. Coach Haith’s desire is for Post to trim down from his 268 pounds.
Do you believe the NBA has changed and there is no longer a need for big men? Think again the demand for big men is still a requirement, someone once stated; “you can’t teach height! “ I offer proof, two often injured centers Greg Oden and 76er Andrew Bynum appear to have attracted a number of potential suitors. NOTE: Bynum will sign a 2-year contract with the Cavs.
The Associated Press reports the 2013 draft had the second highest audience since ESPN began broadcasting the event. I find it interesting to point out once again the experts stated this was a “weak” draft; evidently there was still a high degree of interest by NBA fans and others.
