Basketball from a fans perspective
Published Monday through Friday
This "Rose" might bloom in New York
We knew things were not well in the Windy City, center Joakin Noah and power forward Pau Gasol are both likely to leave in free-agency. They cannot make a move until July 1 so they remain members of the team however Derrick Rose is own his way out of town. Rose the face of the franchise, Rose Chicago born and raised has been traded. The Knicks acquired the fragile Rose along with guard Justin Holiday and a 2017 2nd round pick. New Bulls are center Robin Lopez and guards Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant. According to reports Rose has signed off on the trade this one will require time to fully access.
We are a now people
The media once again goes overboard (in my view) regarding LeBron James. This is not a slap at LeBron James however there are players with far more championships we tend to forget. A number of NBA players of the past are nowhere near LeBron James in talent and skill however they won more. Was it luck or just being with the right team at the right time? Leading the way Bill Russell with 11 championships while a member of the Celtics. Four other Celtics have won 8 championships, two others 7. Robert Horry shares space with them having won 7 rings with three teams (Rockets, Lakers and Spurs). Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen won 6 as members of the Bulls, 13 players have won 5 championships including Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. 12 players have won 4 including Shaq and Tony Parker, LeBron's total is 3 with last Sunday's win.
Bits n Pieces
The NBA returns to Kansas City however its only for an exhibition game. The Heat will face the Wolves in the Sprint Center on October 8. I'm really curious we have no NHL or NBA and both have exhibition games scheduled I'm wondering which game draws the most fans. I will keep you posted.
This is not intended to be a declaration of talent or potential. An NBA scout claims Dragan Bender's game is further along than Kristaps Porzingis this time last season. Do the Celtics draft the 7-foot power forward from Bosnia Herzegovina if he's available? We continue to hear the name of Kris Dunn or Buddy Hield both guards.
Montverde Academy in Montverde Florida might be viewed as a "basketball factory" but that's only part of the story. It's true the school has sent a number of high profile basketball players to schools throughout the nation. The school was founded in 1912 so it just didn't pop up in a manner of others. Montverde places emphasis on the academic side a Pre-K through grade 12. The school's sent Ben Simmons and D'Angelo Russell to the NBA with stops at LSU and Ohio State first.
We know this to be a fact the second round ot the NBA draft is no indication of talent. We need look no further than Draymon Green of the Warriors, he was the 35th pick in the second round of the 2012 draft. Names like Austin Rivers, Fab Melo and Royce White were all chosen ahead of Green. Consider this bit of information Melo and White are no longer in the NBA from just four years ago.
"Check back with me in April"
No one doubts Josh Jackson's talent, the 6-7 guard/small forward was the number one prospect in the Class of 2016. It was quite a coup Kansas snatching this talent from the likes of Michigan State, Arizona and others. He's arrived on campus and his first interview I found amusing. He was questioned how long he intended to remain at Kansas.
"A lot of people would say I'm a one-and-done player, but I don't really view myself that way. I think I will be here (Kansas) as long as I need to be, until I feel I'm ready to take that next step." Jackson responded to the question in a very diplomatic manner and I applaud him for that. As for me I think the headline is appropriate, no promise he's staying but no guarantee he's gone after the first year.
