Basketball from a fans perspective
If a player is nicknamed “Skywalker” that might give
you the impression the individual in question had great leaping ability. That transpired for David Thompson, it was
reported his vertical leaping ability was nearly 44 inches. At 6 feet 5 inches he literally could touch
the top of the backboard, we take for granted certain aspects of the game. We see them and likely have no idea who was
the first or maybe several people might have been the first. The alley-oop pass and score might have been
done first somewhere else but point guard Monte Towe perfected it magnificently
with Thompson providing the “opp” while the two played at North Carolina State
(1972-1975).
Once his college career culminated Thompson chose to
sign with the ABA Nuggets and played one season in the ABA prior to the ABA-NBA
merger. Thompson’s 9-year NBA career was
cut short by injuries and a persistent substance abuse issues would end his
playing days. Thompson would continue to
battle these problems after his playing career but eventually broke the cycle. Despite these matters Thompson would be enshrined
in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame. At the time Michael Jordan was inducted into
the HOF he asked Thompson to introduce him.
That gives you some idea of the high esteem Skywalker was held in the eyes
of those he competed against.
Say
what
The ESPN headline jumps off the
page, “Ben Simmons is the best rookie
since LeBron.” Do you agree with the
title or better yet let’s check the numbers?
Simmons has not yet played a half season in the NBA and his weaknesses
are few. The rookie is tied for 5th
in the NBA in assists at 7.6 per game, almost 9 rebounds a game while shooting
.504 from the floor.
What doesn’t Simmons do well, he
doesn’t shoot free throws (.538) and he can’t or won’t shoot from more than
15-feet from the basket. As for LeBron’s
rookie year it’s a little difficult to compare because the numbers will reflect
79-games played that first season versus the 34 of Simmons as this is written. LeBron shot .417 from the field along with
5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists, from the line he shot .754.
I’m not in the 99%
Most of Kansas City is watching
the NFL game between the Chiefs and Broncos except yours truly. I wanted to see Luka Doncic in action and it
just so happens NBA TV is telecasting his teams’ game. Besides the fact the Real Madrid game will
end much sooner than the Chiefs game, I’m unsure if this is live or
tape-delayed but no matter I just want to see him in action. It should be of note I missed the Chiefs
first touchdown “scouting” Doncic.
Most mock drafts have the
youngster projected as a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA draft. His Real Madrid team was playing FB Dogus, it’s
clear he is the team leader. Although
listed as a shooting/small forward Doncic handled the ball for much of the game
at the point. I cannot say unequivocally
he’s ready for the NBA, let’s just say I was impressed with his game. I’m unsure of Doncic’s game total, he was
close to a triple-double leading Real Madrid to a hard-fought 79-77 win over
defending champion FB Dogus.
You can stop at the headline
The reason I posed the question
I can offer no proof of the following being accurate, since you’ve read this
far you might as well continue. Michael
Porter Jr. will not leave for the NBA in the spring of 2018. What are the odds, right now I say 50-50 he
stays, that’s a long way from my early December odds? Early in the month the number was maybe 75-25
he would submit his name for the NBA draft.
The Tigers have 3 commits for
2018 and scholarships for an additional two.
2019 recruiting is the key to maintaining the momentum begun when Cuonzo
Martin arrived on campus. If Mizzou can
win 20+ games and make the NCAA Tourney the 2019 recruiting will be greatly
enhanced. Mizzou acquired blue-chip
talent in Michael Porter Jr. why not in 2019?
