Basketball from a
fans perspective
The ball bounces the same all over
NBA talent arrives from all over the nation, from the largest enrolled school to the smallest in the nation. We witness talent from Kentucky, UCLA, Duke and North Carolina arrive annually. Talent comes from mid-major schools every year. The league is devoid of NAIA talent however smaller Division I or II basketball players abound. There is no desire to place these names in any kind of order, just say they are very talented. Behind their name is the college and present NBA team. This list by no means should be considered complete nor is it in any order. Check it out.
Robert Covington-Tennessee
State, Sixers
C.J. McCollum-Lehigh, Blazers
George Hill-IUPUI, Cavs
Hassan Whiteside-Marshall, Heat
Courtney Lee-Western Kentucky, Knicks
Paul Milsap-Louisiana Tech, Nuggets
Paul George-Fresno State, Thunder
Kawhi Leonard-San Diego State, Raptors
Damian Lillard-Weber State, Blazers
Steph Curry-Davidson, Warriors
C.J. McCollum-Lehigh, Blazers
George Hill-IUPUI, Cavs
Hassan Whiteside-Marshall, Heat
Courtney Lee-Western Kentucky, Knicks
Paul Milsap-Louisiana Tech, Nuggets
Paul George-Fresno State, Thunder
Kawhi Leonard-San Diego State, Raptors
Damian Lillard-Weber State, Blazers
Steph Curry-Davidson, Warriors
Nope, ain’t gonna do
it
The Warriors have won 3 of the last 4 NBA championships, this was back to back. If not for Draymond Green they may have won 4 in a row but that’s another story. Speaking of stories, we now begin the comparison of the Warriors. We compare them to the Russell led Celtics of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, the Showtime Lakers or the Bad Boy Pistons, maybe the Tim Duncan Spurs. Did I forget anyone, these Warriors are good, but I don’t compare them to any team except themselves? Each of the teams mentioned played in a different era, they still shot the ball in the basket and contested for rebounds.
The Warriors have won 3 of the last 4 NBA championships, this was back to back. If not for Draymond Green they may have won 4 in a row but that’s another story. Speaking of stories, we now begin the comparison of the Warriors. We compare them to the Russell led Celtics of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, the Showtime Lakers or the Bad Boy Pistons, maybe the Tim Duncan Spurs. Did I forget anyone, these Warriors are good, but I don’t compare them to any team except themselves? Each of the teams mentioned played in a different era, they still shot the ball in the basket and contested for rebounds.
They block opposing players
out and blocked shots, they assisted on baskets and 1001 other things. Could Bill Russell or Sam Jones play on the
2018 version of the Warriors, you bet they could. The same might be said for Larry Bird, Kareem
or David Robinson, they could play because that’s what superstar athletes
do. At the same time, we might teleport
Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and company back to any of the periods mentioned and
they would be able to play at the same high skill level. Stop trying to compare, its enjoyable
conversation but certainly not a practical exercise. Just my thoughts, doesn’t make them
correct.
There is talk again,
this time not from me
There is talk (and it’s just that) about Kansas City securing an NBA team. Kansas City resident Jarrett Sutton an NBA scout claims a group of people are working on this effort. I’m not going to bore you with the Sutton details although there was an interesting twist to the story, the proposed team name. It was discussed the NBA team should be named the Monarchs.
For those who might be unaware the name Monarchs has long been associated with Kansas City and the Negro Leagues of a by-gone era. The Negro Leagues baseball museum is located in the city and in the 18th and Vine Jazz District. No requirement to purchase tickets the reported time-frame is 5-7 years from now. At this point this is all speculation however it would prove quite interesting if this should prove fruitful. Kansas City in the NBA once again.
There is talk (and it’s just that) about Kansas City securing an NBA team. Kansas City resident Jarrett Sutton an NBA scout claims a group of people are working on this effort. I’m not going to bore you with the Sutton details although there was an interesting twist to the story, the proposed team name. It was discussed the NBA team should be named the Monarchs.
For those who might be unaware the name Monarchs has long been associated with Kansas City and the Negro Leagues of a by-gone era. The Negro Leagues baseball museum is located in the city and in the 18th and Vine Jazz District. No requirement to purchase tickets the reported time-frame is 5-7 years from now. At this point this is all speculation however it would prove quite interesting if this should prove fruitful. Kansas City in the NBA once again.
High school
powers
You know them, those college teams that are at the top or near there every season. Kentucky, Duke, Kansas and North Carolina, there are others I may have omitted but you get the idea. There are high school powers too…. These teams attract talent from all over the nation and world. You are just as familiar with them as you are Kentucky, Duke and the others. Two of them have closed now but sent several talented athletes to college and the NBA.
You know them, those college teams that are at the top or near there every season. Kentucky, Duke, Kansas and North Carolina, there are others I may have omitted but you get the idea. There are high school powers too…. These teams attract talent from all over the nation and world. You are just as familiar with them as you are Kentucky, Duke and the others. Two of them have closed now but sent several talented athletes to college and the NBA.
Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, NV
Findlay Prep, Henderson, NV
Mater Dei, Santa Ana, CA
Montverde Academy, Montverde, Fl
Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, VA
Scott County Central, Sikeston, MO
DeMatha High School, Hyattsville, MD
IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
Sunrise Christian Academy, Wichita, KS
St. Anthony, Jersey City, NJ (Closed 2017)
Power Memorial Academy, New York City (Closed 1984)
Findlay Prep, Henderson, NV
Mater Dei, Santa Ana, CA
Montverde Academy, Montverde, Fl
Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, VA
Scott County Central, Sikeston, MO
DeMatha High School, Hyattsville, MD
IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
Sunrise Christian Academy, Wichita, KS
St. Anthony, Jersey City, NJ (Closed 2017)
Power Memorial Academy, New York City (Closed 1984)
