Basketball from a fans perspective
NBA Draft assement
Commentary on the June 25th draft will be provided on Monday.
Bits n Pieces
Few might have thought of Milt Newton as general manager while he was playing ball. His bio indicates he was the starting forward on the 1988 NCAA Championship Kansas team. Newton was the starting forward for that Kansas team. After college Newton played in Europe and the Continental Basketball Association before turning to the business side of basketball. The Wolves hired Newton to run their front office in September 2013.
At the time the Celtics had Walter McCarty every time he’d make an outstanding play Celtic broadcaster Tom Heinsohn would proclaim; “I love Walter.” I could substitute the name Adam in place of Walter; Adam Silver has been NBA Commissioner since February 1, 2014. His bland manner and approach to subjects is a sharp contrast to David Stern. Stern sometimes expressed an abrasive and condescending attitude. Don’t get me wrong Silver is all business he just conducts himself differently than his predecessor.
A proposal is on the table by the NCAA which could change the early entry process considerably. A college player could attend the NBA Combine held annually in May to determine their draft eligibility. The athlete can determine his draft status and provided he fails to sign with an agent he could return to school. Here’s hoping the policy is implemented for a variety of reasons.
Despite losing a record number of athletes to the NBA Kentucky has re-loaded once again. On Wednesday the school received a commitment from Jamal Murray a 6-4 193 pound shooting guard. Murray from Kitchener, Ontario Canada is a 5-star prospect who reclassified into the Class of 2015. Murray joins two other 5-star recruits’ 6-11 center Skal Labissiere and 6-3 guard Isaiah Briscoe. Anybody believe Cal is leaving Big Blue Nation?
What the *&%#@
George Karl was hired as head coach of the Kings in February 2015. News reports indicate the coach is the driving force in an attempt to trade DeMarcus Cousins. It’s been reported previously maturity issues delayed Cousins more than his ability since his arrival in the NBA. He finally had a coach he trusted (Mike Malone) and the Kings believing there were issues fired him. Karl becomes coach number five in the five years Cousins has played in the NBA.
The Kings were bad however Cousins had a break-out 2014-15 season. Cousins scored at 24 points per game clips and pulled down nearly 13 rebounds plus he played decent defense. Even more interesting there seems to be a divided house regarding Cousins, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive has publicly stated “no way” are we trading him. Is the coach attempting to flex his authority over Cousins? If we look closely at Karl’s bio it details a history of run-ins with star players at every coaching stop. Who eventually wins this match the coach or the owner?
He’s not right all the time
I have no method of documenting this story but thought it interesting if true. I might add we cannot be correct all of the time same for Stephen A. Smith. I just find it interesting sometimes folks who get “paid” fail to often get it right too. ESPN’s Smith has been incorrect numerous times predicting an NBA Champion at the beginning of a series. Below are his choices and in parenthesis are the actual series winners.
2011 Heat (Mavs)
2012 Thunder (Heat)
2013 Spurs (Heat)
2014 Heat (Spurs)
2015 Cavs (Warriors)
