Rivalry--heck coulda fooled me!
Michael Beasley was drafted by the Heat in 2008 I had to look it up. Local media is referring to Kansas-Kansas State as a rivalry series. The two schools are in the same state but it certainly isn’t much of a rivalry. The Beasley connection, the last time I remember K-State a winner was Beasley’s freshmen year now I’m going to check the records. I stand corrected the records indicate K-State beat Kansas in Manhattan February 14, 2011. In any event the headline above says “You have to beat the other guy before it’s considered a rivalry.” That’s something K-State hasn’t done much of in recent years. K-State you were cheated out a victory in Lawrence on the walking violation, nothing you can do about it the officials didn't make the call. Okay K-State fans you can began booing me but a warning don’t slay the messenger for telling the truth.
The UMass Minutemen have sent 7 players into the NBA, you’ve heard of Marcus Camby and Al Skinner I believe. Most certainly Julius Winfield Erving II a.k.a. Dr. J. is the most famous basketball player to ever emerge from Amherst. In 1969 the school competed in the defunct Yankee Conference; few even knew his name except opponents in the conference. In the two years at the school his numbers were outstanding, he scored but rebound numbers of 20.9 and 19.5 were outstanding for a 6-6 small forward. The totals detailed for all his great leaping ability but it would be years before most of the nation witnessed his play.
At the time the NBA had no early entry policy so young Mr. Erving decided his future would lie in the American Basketball Association. We could say truthfully the league was “invisible” no network television contract and little newspaper coverage. Only fans in ABA cities were witness to his high flying dunks. Dr. J. left the ABA for the Atlanta Hawks however the court ruled his draft rights belonged to the Bucks from the 1972 NBA Draft. He would return to the ABA but not for long, eventually he’d arrive in Philadelphia and the balance of this story is NBA history.
I’ll take my bow now
Kings GM Vlade Divac says DeMarcus Cousins will not be traded. You might remember Larry Laker made that same statement about 6 or 8 weeks ago. Despite the negative attributes (see below) of Boogie he is and remains a valuable part of the Kings effort. Will he ever be traded, will he leave in free-agency those questions remain unanswered. For now he remains in Sacramento through the remainder of the season. As this was being completed it was noted Boogie received his 16th technical so will be suspended for one game by the NBA.
The year of the point guard
DraftExpress.com, NBADraft.net and Hoopshype all agree. Mock draft sites of the four list Markelle Fultz Washington, Lonzo Ball UCLA and Dennis Smith North Carolina State and Frank Ntilikina from France in that order. This is early January and a great deal of basketball remains and the NBA Combine and other assessments wait. The draft could turn out to be completely different however the first five choices are usually accurate.
This is written in early January with the draft order being Boston, Philadelphia and Miami. Would the Celtics choose a point guard with Isaiah Thomas in place? The Sixers have Sergio Rodriguez (30 years old) as the starter but younger players on the roster behind him. In addition the coach indicates Ben Simmons would spend time at the point. The Heat have veteran Goran Dragic starting however backup Tyler Johnson is a rookie. Washington, Ball, Smith and Ntilikina will be high draft picks but perhaps not in the order we see projected.
