Basketball from a
fans perspective
I believe I’ve made myself clear on the subject
High school players should be allowed in the NBA draft again, I believe I’ve made myself clear on the subject. The question might be why were they excluded in the first place? We need look no further than Lenny Cooke, he might be the poster boy for why the NBA quit drafting high school players. In 2001 Cooke was rated a superior prospect to a number of familiar names. There was one guy from Akron Ohio named LeBron James and another from New York City by the name of Carmelo Anthony, a third was Amar’e Stoudemire. The condensed version of the story at age 19 Cooke was no longer eligible for New Jersey High school sports.
Cooke attempted to enroll in
college but was convinced by folks around him he’d be better off in the
NBA. He submitted his name for the 2002
NBA draft but never heard his name announced.
Over the next several years he would play for a number of minor league
basketball teams but that call from the NBA never came. The 6-foot 6-inch Cooke is only 36-years old
now, but a blown Achilles tendon 11 years ago ended his basketball career. An outstanding basketball player whose
academic record plus bogus advice from family and friends were keys to him
never fulfilling the 2001 expectations. In 2005 the NBA changed the rule and high school athletes were no longer
eligible for the draft.
‘Mama there goes that man’
I’m borrowing the classic phrase from Mark Jackson former player and coach. An analyst for ESPN/ABC at some point during a telecast he almost always utters the phrase. This is not a ‘I hate LeBron’ speech just offering an opinion. No argument from me, LeBron James had an outstanding season 15, for those who voice an opinion James Harden didn’t deserve MVP honors check this out. Before we begin this, we must acknowledge the fact basketball is not a one-person sport, at the same time the numbers speak for themselves.
I’m borrowing the classic phrase from Mark Jackson former player and coach. An analyst for ESPN/ABC at some point during a telecast he almost always utters the phrase. This is not a ‘I hate LeBron’ speech just offering an opinion. No argument from me, LeBron James had an outstanding season 15, for those who voice an opinion James Harden didn’t deserve MVP honors check this out. Before we begin this, we must acknowledge the fact basketball is not a one-person sport, at the same time the numbers speak for themselves.
The Rockets finished the
regular season 65-17, the Cavs were 50-32.
The Rockets were in first place in the tough Western Division the Cavs
finished fourth in the Eastern Conference. The only blemish for the Rockets was losing
the Western Conference championship to the Warriors. There is no disagreement on my part LeBron
pushed, pulled and even supported as he led the way for this version of the
Cavs. We can say ‘what if’’ a pulled
hammy might have kept the Rockets from playing for an NBA championship.
This is ‘real’ news
Allow me to clarify the headline, this story is no more news than a few others. It’s just the fact the news from Oklahoma City by Paul George is huge, for weeks we heard Paul George was ‘re-signing’ with the Thunder. He still does the deed however he is opting out becoming a free-agent July 1, does he sign with the Lakers? There is no indication this might be the case, but here is the most interesting portion of the report to me. Why opt out if he intends to remain in Oklahoma City? The next week or so should prove quite interesting.
Allow me to clarify the headline, this story is no more news than a few others. It’s just the fact the news from Oklahoma City by Paul George is huge, for weeks we heard Paul George was ‘re-signing’ with the Thunder. He still does the deed however he is opting out becoming a free-agent July 1, does he sign with the Lakers? There is no indication this might be the case, but here is the most interesting portion of the report to me. Why opt out if he intends to remain in Oklahoma City? The next week or so should prove quite interesting.
NBA owner
Dwyane Wade is not retired but he is looking toward the future, he’s given us an indication he eventually wants to become an NBA owner. Wade says he desires to be part of a Seattle ownership group. Wade indicates he doesn’t have the financial clout to own a team, so he would be a minor owner. Grant Hill and Michael Jordan were cited by Wade as former players who are now owners. Hill is a part-owner of the Hawks and is Jordan principal owner of the Hornets. Two takeaways, it would be great to see Wade as an NBA owner and Seattle in the league again.
Dwyane Wade is not retired but he is looking toward the future, he’s given us an indication he eventually wants to become an NBA owner. Wade says he desires to be part of a Seattle ownership group. Wade indicates he doesn’t have the financial clout to own a team, so he would be a minor owner. Grant Hill and Michael Jordan were cited by Wade as former players who are now owners. Hill is a part-owner of the Hawks and is Jordan principal owner of the Hornets. Two takeaways, it would be great to see Wade as an NBA owner and Seattle in the league again.
