Basketball from a fans perspective
Published Monday through Friday
We know the outcome as for why…….
6-11 Mohamed Bamba was one of the most highly touted Class of 2017 prospects. The youngster was high on the list of Scout.com, Rivals and ESPNU Recruitng Nation. With a number of schools attempting to secure his service the Harlem (NY) baller made a late announcement to head for Texas to play for Shaka Smart.
Recently an issue was raised regarding his eligibility and who was the culprit in this account his older brother of all people. The brother claimed that Bamba had received “unauthorized financial aid” over the years. As I indicated previously we know all kinds of issues occur which cannot stand the light of day it appears this is not one. The NCAA completed a second investigation and cleared Bamba to play this fall. Why his brother attempted to sabotage Bamba’s entry into college is certainly unknown.
They came out of retirement?
Check this out, at least with the Summer League teams there is a Bryant playing for the Lakers and a Bird on the Celtics team. Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird did not decide to return to the playing ranks. The Lakers roster contains rookie Thomas Bryant and the Celtics have rookie Jabari Bird guard on their roster.
The tallest point guard in the NBA
Lonzo Ball stands 6 foot 6 inches tall and the indication is he’s still growing. Ball could grow another inch which would place him at the same height of the Warriors Shaun Livingston. The two would be the tallest point guards in the NBA maybe. Standing next to the 6-10 Ben Simmons would be giving away 4 inches in height. Simmons in Las Vegas for Summer League basketball responded to a question and said; “I’m a starting point guard”.
There is no doubting the ability of Simmons as a passer he demonstrated his ability during his freshman year at LSU. We might question why Simmons believes he’s a point guard since the Sixers drafted 6-4 Markelle Fultz number one in 2017. Training camp and perhaps many of the Sixers early season games might be quite interesting seeing the passing skills of both Simmons and Fultz on the floor at the same time.
Remember Greg Oden?
I highly recommend you read the article by Seth Wickersham on ESPN’s NBA page. Greg Oden former number one pick has not had the career we might have believed when he first arrived in the NBA. You remember him don’t you, Oden emerged from Ohio State after but one year headed for the NBA. How good was he you ask?
I mentioned in another article one scout dared compare Oden’s game to that of Bill Russell. Oden’s defensive presence was most noteworthy by this scout and others. The Blazers with the number one pick in 2007 chose him, immediately after the Sonics would select Kevin Durant second. I couldn’t add anything to Wickersham’s account by attempting to critique it. Read the article for yourself and draw your own conclusion.
