Basketball from a fans perspective
Published Monday through Friday
The Lonzo Ball Show
The Las Vegas portion of Summer League was supposed to be a coming out party for Ball. A funny thing occurred on the way to the party Kyle Kuzma managed to crash it. Kuzma was the 27th pick in the first round by the Nets; he arrived from the Nets in the D‘Anglelo Russell-Brook Lopez trade. The 6-9 Kuzma led the way for the Summer League Lakers with a 20 ppg average.
It might be difficult for him to find playing team once the season begins but not impossible. Kuzma was named to the second team of the NBA Summer League. The youngster emerged from Utah with very little hype, I don’t believe he will continue to be hidden once the NBA season starts. Will there be bumps in the road--of course however the belief is he’s got game
Queens
In the movie “Coming to America” Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) arrived on the shores of the United States from the fictional African nation of Zamunda. The prince came to Queens in search of a wife that was movie fiction. Searching for basketball talent rather than a wife also finds us in Queens where we discover Moses Brown a 7-1 225 pound center.
As for the talent issue Rivals.com rates Brown the number seven prospect in the Class of 2018. I find it interesting we continue to discuss the change over to small ball yet players continue to grow in height. There will always be a requirement as Dick Vitale might say for “Aircraft Carriers”, i.e. Big Men. A number of college teams have offers on the table however it appears Maryland has the inside track although he’s yet to commitment.
Big Baller Brand
The place was Las Vegas Nevada, the annual AAU Tournament play in the city. SC Supreme led by number two 2018 prospect Zion Williamson faced off against Big Baller Brand with LaMelo Ball. SC Supreme won the game 104-92 with Williamson scoring 28 points along with 8 rebounds. LaMelo put up 31 points with 12 rebounds and 5 assists. The gym was standing room only with hundreds outside denied entry due to the building’s capacity.
Seattle on the NBA’s “short” list
Commissioner Silver indicates if (and when) the NBA expands Seattle will likely be awarded a franchise. I’ve long believed the league owes the city over their handling of allowing the team to make the move to Oklahoma City. Show of hands who thought the Sonics would remain in the city after being sold to Oklahoma interests?
Thought so, you believed as I did the Seattle Sonics would soon be history as it eventually turned out. Since that time every effort to revive the NBA in the Pacific Northwest has failed; the Kings were believed on the way until former Commissioner Stern “saved” the franchise for Sacramento. The Kings were headed to Seattle if not for Stern’s intervention. The NBA is in no hurry to expand nor should they be Seattle will return one day.
