Basketball from a fans perspective
I ain’t calling this one
You will read a story on Thon Maker later however it was written prior to this breaking news. The
7-1 Maker was expected to announce the choice of a college not declaring for the NBA Draft. You say how he can do this while still in high school. The rules say you must be 19-years old; he’s already qualified having just turned 19. One year must have eclipsed since your high school class graduated, his class graduated in 2015. Maker is a 5th year senior and you ask how he is still eligible to play---I have no idea. At this point we have no idea if the NBA will allow Maker to enter the draft.
This is unique to say the least however it’s not the first instance a player has circumvented the system, three past players accomplished the feat differently. In 2008 high school graduate Brandon Jennings played in Italy for one year returned and was drafted by the Bucks. Jeremy Tyler attempted to duplicate the plan of Jennings but had less success. After playing for Macabbi Haifa (Israel) and the Tokyo Apache he was drafted by the Bobcats and managed to play for two other NBA teams, he’s currently playing in China. Emmanuel Mudiay played in China for one year before returning and being drafted by the Nuggets.
Basketball in a football stadium
I’m pleased I’m not the only one that hates basketball played in football stadiums. Questioned on Mike & Mike ESPN’s Jay Bilas said; “There are no good seats in the (NRG) stadium, they are good for a football game.” Bilas went on to say; “The Dean Dome was the largest arena I ever played Johnny Dawkins and I were warming up for the first game. We looked up at the top of the arena. Dawkins said; If we can’t see them they can’t see us.”
Someone chimed in by stating; “You have a better seat at home in front of your television than in the stadium.” I check the stats; the Dean Dome built for basketball is now much larger than when Bilas played in the building. 21,444 seating when built it was expanded to 21,572 in 1992 and 21,750 in 2000. We know the drill this all about the Benjamin’s you can squeeze more folks into a 71,000 seat football stadium than an arena designed for basketball, I hate it.
Okay we shall see
Joe Lacob Warriors owner can revel in the success his teams had in the last three seasons. A new arena will eventually be built in San Francisco replacing ancient Oracle Arena. Lacob went on the record praising his team and indicated “They were light years ahead of other NBA teams.” I would never ever want bad things to happen to the Warriors but Lacob is slightly off-base. Steph Curry is a true talent so is Klay Thompson, Draymon Green and company make them a formidable foe. Light years might be a stretch; Lacob fails to check a little south and east of Oakland a team in San Antonio.
The Spurs are an older team but check out their record, it’s not going to occur but it’s possible the Spurs could win 70 games. They will not set an NBA standard for wins but they are right behind the Warriors in wins. When Lacob makes a statement “light years” he’s assuming the Lakers, Suns and Wolves will remain in their present state. What occurs if for some reason Klay Thompson or Harrison Barnes decide to become free agents or worst yet succumb to injury? I cannot fault Lacob for being please with the success of your team but take into consideration this success could be fleeting. Enjoy it for now and leave it there please don’t tell us how good your team is.
Big-Man blues
Robert Upshaw had a checkered past at two schools, he was dismissed by both programs. He declared for the 2015 NBA Draft but the 7-foot center wasn’t selected. The Lakers signed him as a free-agent and he’s playing for their D-League team. After demonstrating promise in high school Stephen Zimmerman had a rather unspectacular freshman year at UNLV yet there is NBA talk in his future. Did I fail to mention Zimmerman is also 7-feet tall? There are other examples across the landscape here and in Europe where coaches and scouts are willing to project someone as a project because he stands 6-11 and taller. We witnessed Hasheen Thabeet’s arrival at UConn and got excited 7-3 263 pounds his future looked bright.
After becoming the second pick in the first round of the 2001 draft by the Grizzlies he’s bounced among several NBA teams without distinguishing himself. He played last season in the D-League but the promise of as excellent NBA career might never materialize. Darko Milicic all 7 foot and 275 arrived in the NBA in 2003, the Pistons made him the number two pick in the draft that year the great expectations once held for him never materialized. I could go on but I hope you get the idea. The prospect of a talented Big Man causes teams to dream of finding the next Hassan Whiteside. The game’s always been tailored for Big-Men and that’s continued to be our belief despite the small ball success of Steph Curry.
