Pass or shoot?
We have arrived in the time of the combo guard. Point guards who shoot as much and sometimes more than forwards and centers on their teams. Nothing wrong just a question is it more important to pass first and shoot second or vice-versa. I'm not sure about Jason Kidd but I know Ricky Rubio. In the 1994-1995 season when Kidd broke in with the Mavs he shot an astounding .385 from the floor in his first year in the NBA. As this is written Lonzo Ball is shooting an anemic .303 from the floor yet leads the Lakers in assists at nearly 7 a game along with 6 rebounds. If you believe I'm comparing Ball to proven NBA talent such as Kidd and Rubio far from it.
My rant is based on the negative comments I'm reading or hearing about Ball's shooting. Some cynics have declared Ball a bust after but a month of play at the NBA level which is short-sighted in my opinion. I've mentioned it previously here's my concern which I heard expressed by a creditable analyst. Ball is stationed at the perimeter taking medium range shots or stepping out behind the 3-point line. He's had little success in either area, he needs to go to the foul line, drive the lane to make a shorter shot or free-throw in the event he is fouled. Much has been made about Ball sitting in the 4th quarter of games but I understand. He's not making shots why have him on the court in games the Lakers have a chance on winning?
Who stays and who goes
Jordan Clarkson and Jabari Brown shared back court duties for Mizzou, I had ample opportunity to see both numerous times over the course of time in school. I had ample opportunity to see both numerous times over the course of time in school. At the time they announced their intention to leave early for the NBA I believed (in error) Brown to be slightly ahead of Clarkson in skill. Clarkson, I envisioned as a combo guard while Brown was strictly a shooter. A series of unusual events would occur on the road to an NBA future, Clarkson would become the 46th pick in the second round.
Clarkson selected by the Wizards his rights were traded to the Lakers, second round picks don't last very long in the NBA especially those drafted toward the bottom. As for Brown he would never heard his name called draft night. Both former Mizzou players would be re-united with the Lakers for a brief period and since 2015 Brown's played in China and for three D-League teams. After playing starter minutes Clarkson has become Mr. Instant Offense as a combo guard. Magic Johnson informed Clarkson to strive to be named Sixth Man of the Year, as for Brown he's with the G-League Santa Cruz Warriors.
Sometimes you can.......
See a talent mature right in front of you, as I've mentioned previously the Kansas City Metro (even on the Missouri side) is less than 50 miles from Lawrence. With this nearby proximity plenty of Kansas basketball is available. In the 2013-14 season 6-9 Tarik Black was installed at the center position playing behind him in the rotation was 6-11 230 pound Joel Embiid. I don't remember the circumstances if Black was injured or exactly what occurred. Black was permanently placed in the starting lineup and Black would become the backup. I began to witness Embiids' shooting plus his swiftness up and down the court as well as rebounding the basketball and passing skills were quite evident. I thought "Boy Kansas has a diamond in the rough with this guy."
In March 2014 disaster struck as Embiid suffered a stress fracture to his neck. All though he was ruled out for the remainder of the season in those 20 games he proved to me (and others) he could play at a high skill level. We expected improvement in his sophomore year until he declared for the draft. I said; "He needs one more year to solidify his on the court." After being drafted number three by the Sixers in the first round in 2014 he was on his way......until the injury bug struck once again. Fast forward ahead, a series of injuries would keep Embiid sidelined until last spring. He managed to play 31 games and demonstrated to all the talent and skill we first witnessed in the spring of 2014. If he can manage to avoid injuries the sky is the limit for the native of Cameroon in West Africa.
Indiana basketball
The State of Indiana has a rich basketball history especially the high school brand. The 1986 movie Hoosiers starring Gene Hackman was loosely based on an actual event. Milan High School with an enrollment of 161 won the state championship over Muncie Central with more than 1,000 students. This achievement could never occur again Indiana has divided its high schools based on student enrollment. Indiana might not send forth talent in the numbers it once did California, Texas and Florida have witnessed phenomenal population growth in the last several years. Check out the rosters of college and NBA teams and locate the number with Indiana connections.
