Basketball from a fans perspective

The change

Today Words eye view returns to a Monday, Wednesday Friday publication schedule.  The collegiate season ended last month, several NBA teams have been eliminated.  There is less and less news requiring 7-days a week publication.  I appreciate those who continue to read this fan publication. 

Surely, they retain her 

Doris Burke’s contract with ESPN concludes in October, although we have 6-months remaining there is no indication the network intends to renew her contract.  A few females serve as sideline reporters for basketball, a smaller number serve as studio host. Only a few find themselves behind the mic serving as an analyst.  Hiring of Burke certainly is no token hire, it’s not intended to fill some sort of quota.  She serves in the role of analyst because she’s good, hopefully ESPN will do the right thing and renew her contract.  Although neither Fox or CBS telecast NBA games I could envision them waiting anxiously for the opportunity to sign her.  One more bit of information Doris Burke was honored as the Curt Gowdy Media winner by the Naismith Hall of Fame for 2018.      

Soon(er) rather than later

As I’ve stated on several occasions I scour several mock draft sites.  They are never 100% accurate although usually the 1 through 5 picks are somewhat precise.  We are fast approaching the June draft and what are we checking, how about Trae Young?  You remember the diminutive point guard from Oklahoma, he led Division I schools in scoring and assists. 

First time the double achievement might have ever been accomplish although Oscar Robertson might have done it, we don’t know.  At the time Robertson played the NCAA didn’t track assist, so we are unsure.  In any event Mr. Young appears close to the top on five mock sites I checked.  He was designated the 7^th pick on one site while there were two 5’s and two 6’s.  If those numbers remain where they are currently this former Oklahoma Soon(er) would be drafted earlier than expected. 

They made the playoffs

The Tornados earned a playoff berth, certainly a noteworthy achievement in the teams’ first year in Kansas City and the North American Premier League.  The first four teams in this eight-team league make the playoffs.  Kansas City finished in 4^th place, they will play as the number 4 seed facing the number 1 seed Yakima (WA) SunKings in a best of three playoff series.  

He’s got a job

At the time David Fizdale was fired the Grizzlies announced B.J. Bickerstaff as interim head coach.  The job is now permanent, management decided rather than search for a coach outside the organization decided in favor of Bickerstaff, he will operate on a 3-year contract.

Was it really that bad? 
One of the sports websites I peruse regularly said: “Let’s re-do the 2016 draaft which was terrible.”  I thought for a moment; “Was it really that bad?”  It’s too soon to forecast a career but I can see the point they were attempting to make.  Ben Simmons drafted number one by the Sixers was sidelined for the season.  In his rookie year (second) he’s proven he’s a bonafide talent.  For a different reason the Lakers Brandon Ingram chosen with the second pick proved better in year two, his first year saw him score at a 9.4 point per game clip as a rookie. 

Celtics pick Jaylen Brown also required an adjustment, 6.6 points in his rookie year.  Dragan Bender of the Suns provides little evidence to date he’s NBA ready.  Finally, we arrive at pick number five Kris Dunn, after a rough rookie season he’s improved in his second year given additional playing time.  I’m not going to list the balance of a draft containing 60 players but hope you get the point.  Again, as a reminder I believe in the “right place, right time” scenario.  A few the Class of 2016 playing behind veterans might not have received adequate play.  In addition, as I stated its far too early to say someone can't play at this level.    

Who is the winner in the end?

Luka Doncic will be a Top 10 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, it’s too bad his name is attached to another native son in a somewhat negative connotation.  Darko Milicic was the number two pick in the 2003 draft, he arrived in the NBA with All-Pro stamped on his forehead.  Somehow, he never reached the level projected by scouts and others, he drifted from team to team, six in all.  He spent a month with the Celtics in 2012 and that was it, the end of his NBA career. 

I don’t remember seeing him play much, 7 feet and 275 pounds it was believed he had all the tools, but he just didn’t.  He’s now growing apples on his farm in Serbia, he owns about 125 acres and will likely acquire additional acreage.  As for Luka Doncic, ESPN’s Mina Kines wrote a profile of Doncic and titled it “Luka Doncic is no Darko Milicic”.  Sometimes we see the body, without being able to see the body of works.  That is likely the case with Darko Milicic gentleman farmer, maybe he is the winner in the end.