Basketball from a fans perspective
"Where there’s smoke there’s fire”
Many are familiar with the old adage and no explanation is required, as for others continue to read. I found it Interesting reading back to back headlines. “Rivers says Jordan-Paul rift way over-blown” and right beneath it: “Karl says rift with Kings, Cousins exaggerated”. The first headline Clipper Coach Rivers claiming the problem between Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan was exaggerated. In the second headline the trouble between Kings Coach Karl and his star player Boogie Cousins. The smoke/fire reference says we are generally aware of smoke prior to seeing the fire. Just because they say there’s nothing to the reported issue(s) that might not always be the case.
Shut up, please
The Lakers D’Angelo Russell has been in the NBA 15 minutes and critics galore have come forward. You’ve heard some of their commentary; “Poor shooting, too many turnovers, they should have drafted “big man” Okafor instead of him.” You’ve heard these statements and maybe others but consider these scraps of information. Despite being the 2nd pick in the draft Russell is a 19-year old who would be entering his sophomore year of college. Why are selected members of the media so negative? I would ask the same question posed about the Knicks choice. If Okafor had been the pick is he talented enough to turn the Lakers around in one season? Russell is attempting to adjust his game to the NBA level on the fly.
Can we at least wait until the regular season before we declare the young man can’t play at this level? Every athlete has a learning curve; poor Russell just tossed aside after FOUR NBA SUMMER LEAGUE GAMES! (As this is written). Don’t you think it might be advantageous to wait for the regular season and not base his talent level on Summer League play? I could name those sports media critics but I’m providing them far too much credit. The best response thus far may have come from Coach Scott. He said; “He’s not Magic Johnson he’s got a long way to go.” Despite evident talent don’t expect instant results. As for the Russell critics all I can say to them is simple, shut up please.
Late bloomer
Those of us in Missouri and Big 12 country are familiar with the Hawks DeMarre Carroll. Carroll was one of the keys to the successful regular season and playoff run of the Atlanta Hawks. He was the 27th pick from Mizzou by the Grizzlies in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He played as a reserve through 2011 and then he toiled in the
D-League during the 2010-11 season. He moved from the Rockets to the Nuggets and later the Jazz, free agency led him to sign with the Hawks in 2013. The old adage timing is everything proved true in Carroll’s case, he would become a starter although he could score he became primarily known for his defensive prowess. Free agency has proven beneficial to Carroll one again. As I wrote earlier Carroll is headed north to Toronto. With Carroll it could be a timing issue or just the fact he just might be a late bloomer.
This is funny I‘m sure only to me
I’m sure Kobe haters are tired of hearing a broadcaster or public address announcement; “Basket by Kobe”? Kobe Bryant has only one season remaining in the NBA as for the others that’s a different story. Yes there are others although they spell their names differently. In addition we have no idea if their parents named their offspring after Kobe Bryant. Leading off is Kobie Eubanks a 6-5 shooting guard from Delray Beach (FL). This Kobie is a Class of 2015 prospect and he’s made Alabama his school of choice. In the Class of 2016 we have Kobi Simmons a 6-5 point guard, he‘s from Alpharetta an Atlanta suburb. Also in the Class of 2016 is Koby McEwen a 6-3 point guard from Mount Pleasant Utah. One is headed off to college in the fall while the others have another year of high school. This is no prediction of future stardom for any player just a little humor on my part.
“It’s Better in the Bahamas”
The headline is the premise used in tourist ads by the island nation. The Bahamas or Officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is a nation comprised of over 700 islands which lie east and southeast of Miami (FL). Although a small nation a number of players have emerged to play college ball and a few in the NBA. To date Mycal Thompson (Steph’s dad) might be the best NBA player to emerge from the island nation. Former NBA player Rick Fox was born in Canada although his father immigrated to the nation from The Bahamas.
Whose got next you ask? It may be DeAndre Ayton; he might be the next great talent to emerge from The Bahamas. After surveying several schools Ayton along with his guardian decided on Balbo City. The private school is located in San Diego (CA) nearly 4,000 miles from his Nassau home. Ayton is a 6-10 235 pound power forward and rated the number one prospect in the Class of 2017. Ayton’s already attracted attention from several big time basketball programs.
