The future is set----isn‘t it?
Did you realize the 76ers have not one, not two, not three------never mind? A team’s draft position often changes according to sources; I believe this account to be fairly accurate. The 76ers have seven draft picks in the 2014 NBA Draft, can you remember a team ever having that many choices in one draft, I don‘t? In the first round the 76ers have two lottery picks number two and number ten, in the second round are five additional picks. Second round choices often fail to gain a roster sport however with the total number surely one of the athletes will develop into a talent. On the other hand one of these second round choices might be packaged in a trade and play for another team. Perhaps the 76ers tanking last season will work out successfully for them.
Michigan State versus the Pistons
It was reported (unconfirmed) Tom Izzo was offered the Pistons job prior to Stan Van Gundy. Izzo turned them down; he may have done it strictly based on salary. The USA Today story indicated Izzo is making $3,893,954 annually. It’s likely the Pistons were not going to top that figure for a “rookie” coach even one named Izzo.
He de-committed?
With Mizzou’s coaching change it was expected they might lose players. Namon Wright was one of those prospects; he was recruited by the departed Frank Haith. At the time the coaching change was announced Wright kinda sorta indicated he was looking elsewhere besides Mizzou. Although Coach Anderson met with him in Los Angeles Wright was allowed to de-committ. After checking his possibilities Wright made his decision official.
Last Friday he made his Mizzou commit official, this 6-4 shooting guard from Los Angeles is headed to Columbia (MO) in August. We gain and we lose, freshman point guard Shane Rector is transferring. This Bronx (NY) native was concerned with future lack of playing time and he might be correct in his assessment. Playing time at the point most likely will be divided between Hawaii transfer Keith Shamburger and sophomore Wes Clark. On the other hand it could be somebody else.
How do I feel?
I shared my thoughts earlier with Laker Nation on the Lottery. I admit it I was disappointed, I didn’t expect the Lakers to be awarded the number one choice but I thought it might be higher. After checking the available talent I believe they could still draft a quality player. We have no idea who this player might be but no worry. With the developing Kevin Love story a number of Laker fans have suggested trading the pick-----no way. Love would be a valuable addition but trading the future for the present scares me.
As for the Laker pick I have gone back and forth since the Lakers were assured they would be in the lottery. I’ve gone from Dante Exum to Marcus Smart seeing the need for a point guard. I said the Lakers should draft center Joel Embiid if his back issue causes his stock to dip. I’ve changed again; I’m now focused on Noah Vonleh (Von-lay) 6-10 240 pound Indiana power forward. Vonleh posted very good numbers at the recent NBA Draft Combine. The potential talent level of the 2014 draft is so deep even drafting in the seventh position the Lakers should gain a quality player whoever that might be.
Cali looks to be a great deal better
We were led to believe Steve Kerr would be the next head coach of the Knicks. Kerr had the blessing of President and Phil Jackson a coach he played for while a member of the Bulls. The finishing touch was for Kerr was to sign on the dotted line, whoa there is a holdup. Kerr must have held a concern regarding the apparent instability of the Knicks front office. Despite Jackson being in place one of the definitions for dysfunctional is K N I C K S.
Jeff Van Gundy served as head coach from 1996-2001, since that time the team has played for nine head coaches. The count includes Herb Williams who served as interim coach for one game in 2004 and 43 games in 2005. Knicks owner James Dolan might have played a larger role than many realized and California may have looked better to Kerr. I can only speculate based on the manner this story developed, we will probably never learn the complete truth why Kerr turned the job down.
