Basketball from a fans perspective
Don't rush me
It would be great if kids remained in school, I repeat the statement it would be great. In the case of Lonzo Ball (and several others) it ain’t gonna happen. We are just now beginning conference play and I’ve got the UCLA point guard headed to the NBA draft. Part of my proof Ball has recorded double-digit assist totals in 5 of his first 14 games so much for the adjustment from high school to college basketball. In addition to his ability to dish the rock he’s also able to score although that’s not necessarily his strong suit.
Don’t confuse my statement he’s no Ricky Rubio he can shoot he’s just not a great shooter. I believe NBA scouts are willing to over look that aspect of his game. NBADraft.net’s scouting report a scale of 12 attributes of each draft prospect and 100 is the highest score a prospect can obtain. The mock site awards Ball a 99. Ball currently sits in second place in assists with 8.1 per game. At the present pace Ball could accomplish a feat unseen since 2001. In 2001 T.J. Ford then at Texas led NCAA Division I teams in assists a feat Ball could accomplish.
‘Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you’
Leroy Robert ‘Satchel” Paige was a legendary pitcher in the Negro baseball leagues. The times forced him to wait until Jackie Robinson integrated the majors in 1947 before he was able to pitch in the major leagues. Satchel was quoted many times during the course of his career; the headline above might reference the Kansas Jayhawks. Right behind Kansas is Baylor and undefeated no less, is this the year Baylor makes it mark and surpasses Kansas in the Big 12? This regular season is just about on us and excitement likely reigns in Waco Texas.
Can you imagine?
Finishing the regular season 24-2 and registering a 12-2 record in your conference, despite the sterling record recorded you sit at home no post-season play. You miss an invite to the NCAA or NIT that same year, that couldn’t occur today. In the 1970-71 season the Southern Cal Trojans lost two games that season both to Pac 8 rival UCLA, what did UCLA do that year you ask? UCLA lost one game that year at Notre Dame and finished the season 29-1 winning the NCAA Tournament over Villanova 68-62. Of course that was prior to the NCAA field expanding, there is no way a team with but two losses would remain at home in this day.
He was one of the best
If you held a discussion of All-Time great centers its likely no one mentions Artis Gilmore’s name. The usual suspects are always Wilt, Kareem, Russell and maybe Bob Lanier and Shaq. There are other centers the late Nate Thurmond and David Robinson come to mind. Sorry Tim Duncan fans great as he was the bulk of his play was spent as a power forward. As for Gilmore during his combined ABA/NBA career he scored over 24,000 points and had nearly 12,000 rebounds. Despite beginning his career in the ABA he actually spent more time with the Bulls and Spurs than he did with the Kentucky Colonels.
Why is Gilmore so ‘invisible‘ you ask it’s likely his demeanor? Shaq and Wilt’s personality drew the media to them; Russell did as well although not in the same manner. Gilmore nicknamed The A-Train “quietly” scored, rebounded the basketball and blocked shots for three franchises. He was born 67 years ago in Chipley Florida and arrived in the ABA from Jacksonville University. In 2011 a long over-due honor came his way as he was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. Reports indicate he’s been active in the Jacksonville community since his playing days ended.
