Basketball from a fans perspective
Published Monday through Friday
I could see it
A few weeks ago I checked NBADraft.net, at that point they state the mystery man Thon Maker would slide into the second round where the Lakers would choose him with the 32nd pick. Maker did not participate in any scrimmage matches at the draft combine so we have no idea how he matches against competition. As for his measurements they are dazzling. He did not weigh the 240 pounds or so David Aldridge mentioned in his column several weeks ago. Maker weighs somewhere between 215 and 220 pounds, he’s 6-11 without shoes and 7 feet in shoes with a 7-3 wingspan. Maker has a standing reach of 9-2 ½ inches with a 9 ½ inch hand width.
Allow me to speculate a moment, I could see the Lakers making this pick for several reasons. Let’s assume the scouting report and individual workout concludes he’s worth a second round pick. The Lakers (or some other team) drafts him and allows time to gain additional skill in the D-League or Europe. In two years he’d still be only 21 years old when he arrives in the NBA in the meantime he’s getting paid. This might be considered a “waste” pick but I don’t believe that to be the case. NOTE: The updated draft has changed and Maker is no longer shown as a Laker choice.
NBA draft
Next week we’ll discover the who’s who of the draft; the focus has been on the top two prospects. Ben Simmons of LSU and Duke’s Brandon Ingram have been the focus and for good reason. The 2014 and 2015 draft both were considered deep in potential talent. As the for 2016 draft the story is different however that’s a surface view. There are potentially hidden gems in any years draft. We knew the name Damian Lillard none of us believed the former Weber State athlete would be named Rookie of the Year in 2013.
Draymond Green has become the heart and soul of the Warriors. Green was the 35th pick in the second round of the 2012 draft. Just last year another unknown talent emerged from the 2015 draft. Kristaps Porzingis from Latvia was an unexpected pick however became a surprise talent for the Knicks. Kawhi Leonard drafted by Indiana but traded to the Spurs draft night is the future of that franchise. Although drafted in the first round he emerged from San Diego State to become a legitimate NBA star. Don’t change channels after the first two picks you might miss a talent being selected.
He said it
Draymond Green was suspended to ensure the championship series would continue. The Knicks had the advantage in 1985 of a bent card allowing them to win the lottery and later draft Patrick Ewing, in addition UFO’s exist and Justin Beiber will go down in musical history. Former referee Tim Donaghy has surfaced once again attempting to garner headlines. Donaghy originated the initial sentence in this paragraph “The NBA had the fix in to prolong the series that’s why Green was suspended.”
Hey Tim didn’t you resign in 2007 to avoid being fired by the NBA? Yes it was proven you bet on games in addition you made calls that affected the point spread and didn’t you spend time in prison for these offenses? With such a checkered past give us a valid reason we should believe you. In 1985 the Ewing card might have been bent, UFO’s could exist and a number of people love Justin Beiber. All are possible except believing anything Donaghy has to say.
Bahamas
We in the U.S. say Bahamas or The Bahamas; officially the nation is the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and a former British colony. This series of 700 islands is located east and south of Florida and the capital Nassau is about 162.14 nautical miles from Miami (FL). Despite the large number of islands there are less than 400,000 citizens in the country. One of its countrymen will hear Commissioner Silver announce his name next Thursday during the NBA Draft.
The name is Buddy Hield and he is a shooting guard from Oklahoma however Freeport Bahamas is home. On Thursday he’ll be a lottery pick and become only the fourth player from The Bahamas in the NBA. Laker broadcaster and former player Mychal Thompson grew up in Canada but was born in The Bahamas. This certainly is no predictor of future stardom for Hield however he will become one of the few Bahamian athletes in the NBA.
