Basketball from a
fans perspective
Draft night
All the hype is over, commissioner Adam Silver is standing at the podium with a “State of the NBA address”. The Suns are up first and this focus is on the Top 10 and in order of selection.
Suns-DeAndre Ayton
Kings-Marvin Bagley III
Hawks-Luka Doncic (rights traded to the Mavs)
Grizzlies-Jaren Jackson Jr.
Mavs-Trae Young (rights traded to the Hawks)
Magic-Mohamed Bamba
Bulls-Wendell Carter Jr.
Cavs-Collin Sexton
Knicks-Kevin Knox
Sixers-Mikal Bridges
Kings-Marvin Bagley III
Hawks-Luka Doncic (rights traded to the Mavs)
Grizzlies-Jaren Jackson Jr.
Mavs-Trae Young (rights traded to the Hawks)
Magic-Mohamed Bamba
Bulls-Wendell Carter Jr.
Cavs-Collin Sexton
Knicks-Kevin Knox
Sixers-Mikal Bridges
Michael Porter Jr fell out
of the Top 10, I wonder how much the back spasm issue might have impacted teams
8 through 10?
Peer into the
future
We have no method to determine injuries, an example might be Grant Hill. Hill had a 19-year NBA career which is certainly admirable, a series of injuries curtailed what might have led to the Naismith Hall of Fame. In 2017 the NBA Draft much of the talk generated around two-point guards, who would be drafted first Lonzo Ball or Markelle Fultz. Fultz ended up being the top pick by the Sixers and was followed by the Lakers choosing Ball. From that point on the two went in opposite directions, Fultz suffering a shoulder injury miss much of his rookie season. On the west coast Ball had an up and down rookie year, sometimes looking great and on other occasions a deer in the headlights look.
We have no method to determine injuries, an example might be Grant Hill. Hill had a 19-year NBA career which is certainly admirable, a series of injuries curtailed what might have led to the Naismith Hall of Fame. In 2017 the NBA Draft much of the talk generated around two-point guards, who would be drafted first Lonzo Ball or Markelle Fultz. Fultz ended up being the top pick by the Sixers and was followed by the Lakers choosing Ball. From that point on the two went in opposite directions, Fultz suffering a shoulder injury miss much of his rookie season. On the west coast Ball had an up and down rookie year, sometimes looking great and on other occasions a deer in the headlights look.
As we approach the 2018-19
season baring injuries what does the future hold, will Fultz outshine Ball or
vice versa? At this point it might be a
difficult call to make, Fultz late in the season appeared to have overcome his
shoulder/shooting issue. Currently he’s
playing behind Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons at the point, his future might
not be with the Sixers. As for the
Lakers Ball will improve in fact of the three brothers he’s the best and will
continue to hold that distinction for quite a while. He too could wind up being traded although
Fultz is more likely to suffer that fate.
Based on what I’ve witnessed to date we have a draw, come back and see
me in 5 years to make a more creditable judgement.
He kept the faith
Unless you are part of
Mizzou Nation Kevin Puryear is a name unfamiliar to you. Kevin’s a local kid who graduated from Blue
Springs South High School and headed off to Mizzou. He averaged nearly 12 points a game his
freshman and sophomore year certainly adequate numbers. The problem Mizzou was terrible although
Puryear proved he was a quality Division I athlete.
A funny thing occurred his junior season, his scoring average dropped. We’d automatically assume Puryear had a down year, not so in my view. Puryear made the adjustment to a new coach (Martin) and new offense and didn’t miss a beat. The 6-foot 7-inch 236-pound power forward continued to play tough hard-nose basketball. There is no indication of an NBA future but whether its Euro basketball or Sports Management (his major) success is clearly in his future.
The admiral
He really wasn’t an admiral,
David Robinson was a Lieutenant Junior Grade at the time he left the Navy for
the Spurs of the NBA. This is not
surprising because it might be difficult for a 7-foot 1-inch officer to operate
as a line officer in the Navy. As for
the growth spurt Robinson stood 6 feet 8 inches at the time he entered the
Naval Academy at Annapolis. He was over
the height limit of 6-feet 6-inches and required a waiver. In college and the NBA, you name the honor
its likely Robinson has even won it or been honored with an award.
College and FIBA Hall of Fame, he won Olympic Gold twice and Bronze once. This two-time NBA champion was the league’s MVP and a perennial NBA All Star, in addition he was selected a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team. Robinson would go on to spend his entire NBA career as a member of the Spurs from 1983-2003. Every time a discussion of all-time greats occur Robinson’s name is always missing. His name is omitted because unlike several others his quiet demeanor is often missed or overlooked. Robinson didn’t toot his own horn he simply allowed his actions on the court to speak volumes regarding his talent.
