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Laker Julius Randle was visible sitting behind the Laker bench in the first Summer League game. New reports indicated his foot might require surgery prior to the season; however that was not why he missed the game. Later viewing TWC Sports Net Randle indicated he hadn’t signed his contract and later he signed his contract and was activated. My confusion the Cavs announced; “They expect to sign number 1 pick Andrew Wiggins in the coming week.” I’m confused, Wiggins has been playing since day one of Summer League play. I’m mistaken I believed rookies didn’t play until they signed a players contract; evidently that is not the case.
On the other hand
I confess there has been a running diatribe on my part by yours truly. I have complained and complained about the lack of quality big men in today’s game. Nobody’s quite growing it just seems big men today want to stand on the premier and shoot 3-pointers. Few want to go down inside and mix it up as Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain once did. We could make that same statement for the classic Laker-Celtic matches of Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Robert Parrish. There were others who mixed it up in the paint however the arrival of Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol and others witnessed a change in the game at the NBA level. The aforementioned certainly are talented however these 7-footers game was outside not in.
Mentioned previously is Jahlil Okafor (Duke) 6-10 with 270 pounds packed on his frame. He is a throw-back a back to the basket type of center. Also entering his freshman year is Kentucky’s Karl Anthony Towns. He’s 6-11 and 240 pounds; Towns can drift out to the perimeter but does his best work down low. Another big man who mixes it up down low is still in high school, he’s yet to make a college commitment. Allow me to introduce to several of you 6-10 253 pound Diamond Stone. Stone of Dominican High School in Milwaukee is a 5-star prospect by Rivals and number six in the nation. The list of offerings for Stone a Class of 2015 prospect contains the usual profile college programs. .
Bits n Pieces
By the time this is read the Lakers may have named a new coach. I’m leaving it on purpose for you to ponder the strange statements made by ESPN’s NBA reporters. The question posed; “Why haven’t the Lakers named a head coach?” It’s unusual for such a lengthy hiring process and I’m confused too but I don’t believe this is the explanation. “They are trying to see if the delay in naming a coach that might influence Carmelo or LeBron to sign with them.”
Speaking of the Lakers it appears Andrew Bynum will sit out the 2014-15 season. TMZ had approached him at the airport asking him about the future. He said he’d like to return to the Lakers, well it certainly won’t occur this season. Bynum indicates he’s headed to Europe to undergo the same type of medical treatment Kobe Bryant underwent. We can only hope it’s successful and he can return to the NBA he would still be young enough.
I’m anxious to see Ben Simmons play this upcoming season. ESPNU usually schedules one or two Montverde Academy games each season. Simmons is a 6-8 225 pound forward; he’s a 5-star prospect in the Class of 2015. Montverde Academy is located approximately 30 miles west of Orlando. Simmons from Melbourne Australia is an early commit for LSU.
This is how it appears to work, LeBron recruits Mike Miller and James Jones to join him in Cleveland. Miller attempts to lure Ray Allen north while LeBron continues campaigning for Kevin Love to join his crew. I think the headline ESPN utilized was interesting they title these moves “Miami North.”
I’m watching a summer game and Patrick Ewing is coaching the Hornet team. It brought to mind “I wonder why the guy can’t get a job?” Interview after to interview and this HOF former play fails to be hire anywhere. Unlike Kidd and Fisher he’s put in time as an assistant coach to learn the craft. Why no Ewing I have no idea?
