Basketball from a fans perspective
Shut up
I said and I meant it I quite watching Stephen A. Smith on First Take. The problem he still “pops” up on the ESPN NBA page. I didn’t view the video only checked out the headline. “Carmelo is worrying Stephen A. Smith” it read, I’m guessing Smith was concerned about the wear and tear on Carmelo’s body. Hey Mr. Smith, Carmelo is 32-years old certainly old enough to make his own decisions without consulting you.
Several NBA players took a pass on playing for Team USA and and Carmelo could have joined them if he chose. It’s clear to me (and probably not Smith) Carmelo’s desire is to bring home another gold medal. Certainly there is risk of injury and there is wear and tear on his body. Don’t you think for a minute foremost in Carmelo’s mind was the risk of injury? As for Smith just shut up your opinions are yours but many of us don’t care what you think?
He went ballistic
I heard the news before determining the details of the incident. Earlier in the week Wichita State made it known they were headed to Canada to play a series of exhibition games. Gregg Marshall Wichita State’s coach was ejected in the game against McGill University. *“Three clock errors, questionable officiating and poor play set Marshall off.” After Marshall received his second technical he refused to leave the court and went after the officials. Assistant coaches and his players had to restrain him. Hopefully this won’t impact Canadian-U.S. relations. Marshall’s been suspended for the following game.
*USA Today
Christmas games
The Christmas games December 25, 2016 look quite exciting new players in new places along with re-tooled teams. Leading off the day-night games will be the Celtics facing the re-tooled Knicks from Madison Square Garden that game begins at 12:00 p.m. Eastern. At 2:30 p.m. the two combatants from last seasons NBA Championship will face off, the Cavs-Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. At 5:00 p.m. will see the new look Bulls facing the Duncan-less Spurs. At 8:00 p.m. the young Wolves will play the Thunder in Oklahoma City. The 10:30 game finds the Clippers facing the Lakers at Staples Center. My Lakers might not be playoff caliber but I’m seriously considering a subscription to NBA League Pass again.
Good
Did you see Monty Williams seated on the bench of Team USA? The Thunder assistant lost his wife in a tragic February automobile accident and never returned. In June the Thunder announced he would not return as Donovan’s lead assistant. Other than serving as an assistant for Team USA his future is uncertain however I hope Williams manages to find peace. Everyone grieves differently so in his instance we must adopt a wait and see view.
Best of the best
The current NBA rules state you must be age 19 or 1 year past your high school graduation. Over the last few years several players have circumvented the rule it was 2005 the last time a high school player was drafted in the NBA. The last player chosen was Amir Johnson Westchester High School in Los Angeles. Johnson was the 56th pick in the second round that year.
Kevin Garnett
Sebastian Telfair
Kevin Garnett
Kobe Bryant
Kwame Brown
Amar’e Stoudemire
J.R. Smith
Darius Miles
DeShawn Stevenson
DeSagana Diop
Amir Johnson
Travis Outlaw
Gerald Green
Eddy Curry
This list is not complete just a number of the more well known names. Who was the best of the high school number to be drafted into the NBA in your opinion? There have been a significant number of misses however there are several Hall of Fame candidates in the list.
