The kiss of death
I have a real good idea why the Clippers lost, Stephen A. Smith picked them to win the series. Work prevented me from viewing the game so I am unable to offer any insight. All I know is the Jazz won Game 7 over the Clippers 104-91. Think about that a moment, Game 7 in the playoffs and the game is in your gym and you LOSE. There is something wrong here, the Clippers might be the best regular season team in the NBA.
It serves no purpose to win 50+ games every year and then lose in the playoffs. I believe it’s likely we have seen the last of Lob City. What does the future hold, do they resign pending free agents Paul, Griffin and Redick? On paper this team is very talented but they cannot get over the hump.. The 2016-17 season is a different matter, they should have won with or without Blake Griffin. As for Coach Doc Rivers and son Austin, well that’s a story for another column.
The NBA Future
The NBA sent out 60+ invitations to the NBA Combine scheduled for May
9-14, it will be held in the Quest Center in Chicago. Players will be measured and timed in several areas such as;
- Standing Vertical Leap
- Vertical Leap
- Lane Agility
- Shuttle Run
- Three Quarter Sprint
Prospects are run through a series of drills in front of scouts, assistant coaches, and general managers. A number of players expected to be high lottery picks are reported to be skipping the combine. There is a change with this years combine, a player who fails to hire an agent can return to college if they desire.
Bits n Pieces
Money fails to be a solve all at times this according to news reports on Kevin Knox a 5-star Class of 2017 prospect. A team in the Chinese Basketball Association offered the 6-8 Knox a $1.4 million dollar one-year contract. We must guess they assumed he’d be headed to the NBA anyway. The unusual part of the story Knox is highly likely to be a one-and-done athlete regardless which college team he choices. Bottom line it becomes a year being paid versus a year eating in the school cafeteria-------interesting.
Paul Weir left New Mexico State to take over the University of New Mexico program. I thought that was a little unusual until I realized Cuonzo Martin’s journey. Martin served as head coach at Missouri State from 2008-2011 in Springfield. The city is located about 170 miles south southwest of Columbia home to Mizzou. I’m curious, I wonder if Mizzou will ever host Missouri State in a pre-season game.
One brother stands nearly seven feet tall; the other is close to 6-3 on his tip toes. Both brothers took up the game of basketball at an early age. The older brother due to his height was deemed to become the more accomplished player. The younger brother grew in stature too but never reached the height of his brother. Which player had the greatest success on the court? If you guessed the taller older brother your guess is incorrect, the younger brother who stands 6-1 would become the better player. We can’t and should not attempt to determine the heart or desire for the game.
Guard Charlie Moore left Cal after Cuonzo Martin departed for Mizzou. The coach indicated Moore was not going to be recruited, nothing to do with his talent rather numbers. Mizzou has returning guards on the roster plus three incoming this fall. Cal’s loss (and maybe Mizzou) Moore decided in favor of Kansas, he will be closer to Chicago where his ailing father lives. He will sit out next season unless granted a waiver. The Jayhawks appear to have struck gold with this move.
McDonald’s All American
After several centuries it seems without a McDonald’s All American could Mizzou gain three in one season? Impossible you say, well that might be a stretch on my part but consider this. Michael Porter Jr. is already signed; on Mizzou’s radar is 6-9 forward Kevin Knox and 6-3 point guard Trevon Duval. Mizzou is recruiting both these Class of 2017 prospects.
