I just don’t know
Joel Embiid the best collegiate big man today? We might debate that however this Kansas freshman has distinguished himself so far this season. He’s raw but Embiid might be the best big man I’ve witnessed in quite awhile. Because I’m so near Lawrence Kansas I may have had more opportunity to check out his game.  We are always in error comparing athletes of different eras as I’ve stated it provides you with a measuring gauge. As I write this I think back only to those centers who made it into the NBA over the last 30 years.

Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson and Yao Ming are names that come to mind. I’m sure I’m missing a few names writing from memory rather than research. Some might argue why include Yao due to his short career, I believe he impacted the game in a different manner.  As for Embiid he’s only played the game for three years, there is certainly room for continued improvement. It appears he’s takes to coaching routinely and his soccer background is key to a portion of his athletic prowess. Please keep in mind I certainly am not projecting NBA stardom for him but it does exist. I do know this; Tarik Black who started the season at center is never going to get his job back again.

Transfer?
Mizzou Coach Frank Haith has been particularly good at blending transfer players into his teams. It’s possible they may have another on the way, which may be the destination for a former Missouri All State basketball player. Mizzou recruited Cameron Biedschied while in high school but ceased after his sophomore year. At some point around that time frame Biedschied indicated he was headed to Notre Dame to play basketball.

The 6-7 185 pound forward played limited minutes his freshman year but possibly envisioned increase play his sophomore year. For unexplained reasons Notre Dame would red shirt him this year which forced a change from him. He requested and received his release Notre Dame at the same time he began searching for another school. On the other side of the State his dad indicates Mizzou is among the schools he’s checking out.

I think his attitude is questionable
Retreating into history I remember my thoughts. At the time the Lakers were proposing to exchange Bynum for Howard I screamed loudly. I saw a larger upset with the teams’ present center over Dwight Howard. Of course you know what occurred the Lakers traded Bynum and signed Howard as a free agent. The 2013-14 season saw Howard in Houston and Bynum in Cleveland. He’d arrived on the shores of Lake Erie after playing 0 games for the 76ers. I said to myself; “new team and hopefully a new start.”

Since that time the Bynum immaturity exhibited in Los Angeles and Philly appeared once again. It wasn’t all bad, on occasion Bynum exhibited play similar to that exhibited as a Laker. On other occasions he was practically invisible, it’s difficult to remain invisible at 7 feet tall and 285 pounds but he managed the feat. Over this past weekend the Cavs suspended him indefinitely and talk is he’s on the move once again. The reports are Bynum will be traded before the end of January based on contractual issues. NOTE: before this is published the Cavs announced Bynum is suspended with pay.

Dominant collegiate teams
In the 1960’s and 1970’s UCLA basketball dominated the college landscape. Lew (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) Alcindor, Bill Walton, Jamal Wilkes and others found their way to the Westwood campus and remained for four years. Of course that was long before the NBA drafted high school athletes and long before the one and done athlete became common place. Years later Duke would win back to back championships in 1991 and 1992. In more recent times Florida managed to accomplish the feat as they won in 2006 and 2007.

Key players Joakim Noah and Al Horford could have left school for the NBA but chose to return and they help lead Florida to a second NCAA Championship. The landscape has changed; no longer will there be any “super” collegiate teams. The highly skilled athlete often heads to off to the NBA after their freshman year. I cannot see depriving someone of the opportunity of a lifetime, at the same time the college game of even 20 years ago no longer exists. That’s a shame; a generation of fans will have never had the opportunity to witness even a mini dynasty.