Basketball from a
fans perspective
The Dead Period
In college the term used to
describe no activity allowed is referred to as “The Dead Period.” This might apply to the NBA as well; the NBA
draft was held in June and we discovered the destination of many of the best
college players. As for the association the
major free agents have made their objective known whether they remained at home
(Paul George) or chose a new one (LeBron James). There have also been a few trade proposals
although just a handful were consummated.
The summer league concluded with the Blazers being crowned champion of the Las Vegas portion. Kawhi Leonard is now a Raptor while DeRozen will be wearing cowboy boots this winter and spring. From late July until early September the basketball word is slow, slower and slowest. September 7 comes the Naismith Hall of Fame induction and from that point on we begin ramping up for the college and NBA season. Unless you breathe basketball 24/7 365 you have permission to hibernate for the next 40 or so days.
Making the transition
As this is written ESPN is
reporting the Spurs and Raptors are finalizing a deal for Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors are
reported to be sending DeMar DeRozen and Jakob Poeltl to the Spurs for Kawhi
and Danny Green. Will Kawhi repeat the
actions of Paul George in Oklahoma City, after a year with the Thunder George
signed an extension to remain in Oklahoma.
As for the Spurs the departure of Tony Parker leaves Manu the only
remaining champion Spurs player.
DeMar DeRozen is a talent, I
don’t know a great deal about Poeltl however they must have approved him being
been included in the trade. As for the
balance of the Spurs roster it contains a few veteran names Pau Gasol, Rudy
Gay, LeMarcus Aldridge and Manu Ginobili mentioned previously. The Spurs will be competitive in the tough
Western Division, they will earn a playoff berth beyond that it’s difficult to
see in the middle of August.
Trivia
Dave Winfield spent 22 years playing major league baseball, apparently, he could have played pro basketball or NFL football. He remains the only athlete drafted in three professional sports. The baseball Padres drafted him with the number four pick, the NBA Hawks made him their 3rd pick and he was the 4th pick by the ABA Utah Stars. The NFL Vikings selected Winfield in the 17th round although he never played college football. The 6-foot 6-inch 220-pound Winfield would likely have played small forward in basketball and wide receiver in football.
The last time
LeBron James left the Cavs in 2010 for South Beach, in 2011 the team drafted point guard Kyrie Irving. The former Duke guard was a key building block in returning the Cavs to a winning team. It’s 2018 now, LeBron has left again this time for the Lakers. Two weeks prior to the LeBron announcement the Cavs with the 8th pick in the first round drafted point guard Collin Sexton. The speedy Sexton is only 6 feet 2 inches tall but has a 6-foot 6-inch wingspan, this allows him to play tough hard nose defense on the opposition. Sexton impressed in Las Vegas during summer league play, as for the upcoming season George Hill is ahead of him on the depth chart. We shall see how that plays out once the season begins.
Trivia
Dave Winfield spent 22 years playing major league baseball, apparently, he could have played pro basketball or NFL football. He remains the only athlete drafted in three professional sports. The baseball Padres drafted him with the number four pick, the NBA Hawks made him their 3rd pick and he was the 4th pick by the ABA Utah Stars. The NFL Vikings selected Winfield in the 17th round although he never played college football. The 6-foot 6-inch 220-pound Winfield would likely have played small forward in basketball and wide receiver in football.
The last time
LeBron James left the Cavs in 2010 for South Beach, in 2011 the team drafted point guard Kyrie Irving. The former Duke guard was a key building block in returning the Cavs to a winning team. It’s 2018 now, LeBron has left again this time for the Lakers. Two weeks prior to the LeBron announcement the Cavs with the 8th pick in the first round drafted point guard Collin Sexton. The speedy Sexton is only 6 feet 2 inches tall but has a 6-foot 6-inch wingspan, this allows him to play tough hard nose defense on the opposition. Sexton impressed in Las Vegas during summer league play, as for the upcoming season George Hill is ahead of him on the depth chart. We shall see how that plays out once the season begins.
Okay, you didn’t
sign him
Coach Alvin Gentry expressed his desire for the Pelicans to re-sign Boogie Cousins. It didn’t happen, Boogie signed with the Warriors. All is not lost in the Crescent City however, they were able to sign one of the best prospects out there not named LeBron or George. Julius Randle arrives from the Lakers fresh off his best season in the NBA. After playing starter minutes most of his early career for a period he became the team’s sixth man.
Coach Alvin Gentry expressed his desire for the Pelicans to re-sign Boogie Cousins. It didn’t happen, Boogie signed with the Warriors. All is not lost in the Crescent City however, they were able to sign one of the best prospects out there not named LeBron or George. Julius Randle arrives from the Lakers fresh off his best season in the NBA. After playing starter minutes most of his early career for a period he became the team’s sixth man.
From all reports Randle went
to the bench with no apparent complaints yet still contributed. This 6-foot 9-inch 250-pound power forward is
among the best in the NBA, we are not exactly sure what caused him to fall out
of favor with Laker management. The
Pelicans will continue their two-prong attack from their front court, erase the
name Boogie and replace it with Julius. Randle
was certainly one Laker I enjoyed play and like Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson I wish nothing but the best for all parties....except when they face the Lakers.
