It may just be me
I’m viewing the Wolves-Nets game and I kept staring at 6-11 Wolves center Nikola Pekovic. I thought “he looks familiar to someone I’ve seen.” Then it hit me, if you are into movies like me check out a still of Jack O’Halloran from the 1980 Superman II movie. O’Halloran a former heavyweight boxer stands 6-6, in the movie he played the villain by the name of Non. On the other hand it might be me, maybe they don’t look alike at all.
Twins
Have you seen the Adidas commercial featuring Dwight Howard and his “double”? Of course his double is about 6 or 7 inches shorter than Howard’s 6-10 frame. A number of brothers have played in the NBA; there have been father-son combos but few twins. The NBA is rather young by comparison to other pro sports having begun play in 1946. Records may be incomplete however this is a culmination of that research. The first reported twins to have played in the NBA were likely the Collins brothers. Jason and Jaron were teammates at Stanford they were in the 2001 NBA draft class. It should be noted one twin is taller than the other Jason is listed as 7 feet while brother Jaron is 6-11. Jarron currently serves as a player development coach for the Warriors; his brother was on the Nets roster last season but is currently on no NBA teams’ roster.
There are two sets of twins currently active on NBA rosters. Robin and Brook Lopez both
7-footers also played their college ball at Stanford, they were drafted in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. Robin currently plays for the Suns Brook is a member of the Nets. To date Brook has probably had the more successful career although both are valued members of their teams. The Lopez twins play the center position as for the Morris twins they are power forwards. Markieff and Marcus Morris refined their basketball skill while enrolled at Kansas University. Both were drafted in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft however there is a difference with these two. Both brothers play for the same team the Phoenix Suns. Markieff was drafted by the Suns; Marcus was originally chosen by the Rockets but traded to the Suns in 2013. It should be noted Markieff is the older brother by 7 minutes.
Bits n Pieces
Watching the guys on Inside the NBA discuss Halloween Shaq said; “I quit Trick or Treating when I was 13. The guy answering the door said; aren’t you a little big?” Former Coach Dale Brown conducting a basketball clinic at a military base inquired; “How long have you (Shaq) been in the service son? "I'm too young for the service, sir, I'm only 13.” Shaq stood 6 feet 8 inches and wore a size 17 shoe at 13.
The 50th Anniversary of the NBA saw a Top 50 All-Time players list. Students of the game know all of them; Michael Jordan, Jerry West and Bill Russell are just a few of the names. The Open Court crew held an interesting discussion on NBA TV. The conversation was the Top 50 players and the next 10 who might be added. We know there will be no official additions to the list but check the list, who do you believe would be added if there was an addendum to the list.
I listen to SMU’s Larry Brown; he believes Emmanuel Mudiay heading to China to play professionally could set a dangerous trend. Brown states he could see others in the future following Mudiay. I don’t believe he’s upset over losing this 5-star prospect just stating his belief. On the other hand if a youngster desires to play in the NBA they want to head that direction as soon as possible.
You might not find this as funny as I did. Discussing the Cavs slow start Dan Patrick said; “Kyrie Irving is a point(s) guard, Rajon Rondo is a point guard he passes the basketball.” Patrick was discussing the change in today’s NBA with score first point guards. No need to name players you know who they are.
