Basketball from a fans perspective
Losers
We can refer to Kansas, Duke, Kentucky and UConn losers in this instance. Georgetown received a verbal commitment from Tremont Waters a 5-11 point guard from West Haven (CT). Waters a 4-star prospect and the number 36 prospect in the Class of 2017. Kansas, Duke, Kentucky and UCConn along with a host of schools had offers on the table for Waters and he chose Georgetown interesting isn’t it.
Dukeee
Kobe Bryant retired at the end of the season, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett retired during the summer. Elton Brand retired today with far less fanfare than the others, Brand waited until the 76ers training camp, he failed to play in a single pre-season game. Brand was the number one pick in the 1999 draft by the Bulls and shared co-rookie of the year honors with Steve Francis. He would play for four other NBA teams and this was actually his second time with the 76ers. Brand leaves the game with a 15.9 ppg and 8.5 rebounds a game average. He was one of those guys who was always ready to play basketball, well miss him.
Bits n Pieces
The Missouri Valley Conference founded in 1907 is one of the oldest conferences in the nation. Today the conference lists Bradley, Drake and Illinois State as member schools. Once upon a time the conference contained a number of current Big 10 and Big 12 Conference schools, check it out below:
Iowa
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Louisville
Mizzou
Nebraska
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
CBS Sports.com listed a number of NBA players they believed would be traded before the 2016-17 season is complete. It was interesting the list contained the names of 76ers Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor. I just checked the article one time however I believe the 76ers were the only team to contain two teammates. Whether a trade for one or both occur it won’t be shocking. Technically Noel a center at Kentucky was drafted as a power forward/center. Three consecutive seasons your team drafts a center what’s wrong with this picture?
You might remember I indicated my wife’s cousin played Division II ball at a Missouri school. In his sophomore high school year I asked him “Where do you want to go to college.” With no hesitation in his voice he said; “Kentucky” I hesitated in my response saying okay. I had no desire to criticize his dream of wanting to play at Kentucky. I wondered how he’d adjust his first year of college ball so periodically I’d go on-line and check his stats. I judge his first year to be fairly good not outstanding but good. He played behind upper classmen; the question is an NBA career in his future. Maybe not but he could latch onto a Euro or D-League team if his game continues to mature.
Laker Coach Luke Walton has Brandon Ingram penciled in for the bench, I’m okay with the move. There is a great deal of pressure on the youngster being the second pick in the draft. “He’s replacing Kobe Bryant” which is far from the truth Ingram is 19-years old. He’s the same age Kobe was when he first arrived in the NBA back in the day. Kobe wasn’t ready to play at 19 and neither is Ingram. That fails to take into account the future is bright for Ingram provided he avoids injury and continues to grow his game.
Phi Slama Jama
Was the nicknamed given the University of Houston Cougars by a Houston sportswriter. Hall of Fame players Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler were members of this basketball fraternity but there were others. There was Larry “Mr. Mean” Michaud a 6-9 220 pound power forward, 6-7 220 pound Michael Young guard/small forward and Reid Gettys also a 6-7 guard forward. For several years this crew played the game on a different level, the level was play above the rim.
The Cougars at the time were coached by Guy Lewis who turned the school’s basketball fortunes around; he’d recruited players such as Elvin “Big E” Hayes and Don Chaney to Houston. The Big E and Chaney would play against Lew Alcindor and UCLA in the Game of the Century played at the Astrodome in 1966. They couldn’t shoot free-throws for the life of them but called on to dunk the basketball that was easy. For approximately three years they were among the best college teams in the nation. When mention of great college teams the Phi Slama Jama teams of Houston must be part of the discussion.
