Basketball from a fans perspective
Bits n Pieces
The NBA expanded in 1989 and the Minnesota Timberwolves came into existence. It’s possible a child born in the twin cities in 1961 might have never realized an NBA once represented the city. The Minneapolis Lakers franchise represented the city in the NBA from 1947 to 1960. Several of the NBA’s first stars played for the Lakers before the team moved to Los Angeles.
Louisville Coach Rick Pitino claims the NBA will change its policy within two years. He indicates high school players will be allowed in the league again, his belief is based on the commentary of Commissioner Adam Silver. I’ve made my feelings known for quite awhile, I believe in student-athletes with the emphasis on STUDENT. Those who are only enrolled in college awaiting entry to the NBA should not be forced to attend college.
I checked the date believing I was reading a rehash of the earlier story. The Bleacher Report headline read; “5-Star Center Mitchell Robinson to Skip College, Focus on 2018 NBA Draft.” The article had a September 17 date so it had to be new. Remember the last time we heard from the youngster he’d returned to Western Kentucky. Apparently that is not the case now the 7-foot center could sit out the year and enroll at another college but that’s highly doubtful at this stage.
He hate me
The short-lived United States Football League once had a player who placed “He hate me” on the back of his jersey rather than his name. The Sporting News compiled an account titled “The 16 most hated College Basketball Players of All Time.” For me I think of NBA players over those in college because at most we are talking four years often less than that. The number one was Duke’s Christian Laettner; Jalen Rose Michigan was chosen number two.
Marshall Henderson Ole Miss (2009-14) made the list at five. Many of the remainders caused me to scratch my head wondering what they had done to place them on this list. Larry Johnson UNLV, Allen Iverson Georgetown were just a few of the names. Laettner relished in creating controversy, Rose was a leader of the Fab Five which rated negatively with a number of college fans, coaches and players. As for Henderson I could only think think “Hot Dog.”
A Missouri State Bear in the NBA?
Who is Alize Johnson you ask, well he’s a 6-9 small forward from Williamsport (PA), and somehow he found his way to Missouri State University in Springfield. You might be surprised Johnson a senior is projected to be drafted. Two mock sites nbadraft.net and draft express.com have him listed one as a late first round pick the other in the second round. Mock sites are just those projections that might be drafted in the NBA. We shall see if this senior year turns out to be good enough for Johnson to be drafted.
High yield low risk
That's the call of Clutchsports.com in the latest signing by the Lakers. I was about to publish the Tuesday edition of Words when it was announced the Lakers signed Andrew Bogut to a
1-year deal. The 32-year old veteran proved his valued during the Warriors record breaking season of 73 wins. Last season while a member of the Cavs Bogut broke his leg, he was released by the Cavs in March.
