Basketball from a
fans perspective
I wrote it first
The story published below ‘The first domino’ was written prior to the breaking news about to be reported. LeBron James will sign a 4-year $158 million contract to join the Lakers. I’m a conflicted soul, I told all within ear shot I didn’t want LeBron on the Lakers. This had nothing to do with talent, he’s the best there is at whatever age he is. I said, ‘I’m afraid this young Laker team will stand around watching LeBron’.
Now that the move is
official I hope I’m wrong, I hope this young team will be able to establish
it’s on identity while including the talented LeBron. We cannot access the Los Angeles Lakers on
July 1, we need training camp and the season before we can determine this
team. I believe as they are structured
currently they will make the playoffs, that’s all I’m prepared to say at this
point. NOTE: Late Sunday evening the mercurial Lance Stephenson signed a
1-year contract with the Lakers.
The first domino
Late Saturday night came the first of the large dominos to fall, Paul George it was announced will remain in Oklahoma City. George will sign a 4-year $137 million contract. George must believe he, Carmelo and Westbrook can overtake the Warriors. At this point I’m unsure, until they are beaten in a series my money is still on the Dubs. Shooting guard Devon Hall from Virginia was the 53rd draft pick along with power forward Kevin Hervey from Texas-Arlington who became the 57th pick.
The first domino
Late Saturday night came the first of the large dominos to fall, Paul George it was announced will remain in Oklahoma City. George will sign a 4-year $137 million contract. George must believe he, Carmelo and Westbrook can overtake the Warriors. At this point I’m unsure, until they are beaten in a series my money is still on the Dubs. Shooting guard Devon Hall from Virginia was the 53rd draft pick along with power forward Kevin Hervey from Texas-Arlington who became the 57th pick.
As for how this move impacts
my Lakers I’m okay with it, I’d been reading reports for a couple of weeks
George was likely to sign with the Thunder.
Chris Paul remains a member of the Rockets agreeing to 4-years at a
reported $160 million. Kevin Durant
maintains the same address with a one and one contract, the first year pays him
$30 million and year two $31.5. There
were several other deals struck however the players detailed in this account
are those receiving the largest contracts to this point.
Border War?
I’ve mentioned the Border War that once existed between Kansas and Mizzou. This 100-year old ‘war’ on the football field and basketball court came to an end in 2012, Mizzou left the Big 12 for the SEC. I’m unsure if the two schools ever attempted to recruit the same players, all this might have changed now. Forward Lester Earl was a McDonald’s All American in 1996, he would begin his college career at LSU but would transfer to Kansas in his sophomore year and finish in 2000.
I’ve mentioned the Border War that once existed between Kansas and Mizzou. This 100-year old ‘war’ on the football field and basketball court came to an end in 2012, Mizzou left the Big 12 for the SEC. I’m unsure if the two schools ever attempted to recruit the same players, all this might have changed now. Forward Lester Earl was a McDonald’s All American in 1996, he would begin his college career at LSU but would transfer to Kansas in his sophomore year and finish in 2000.
6-foot 9-inch 235-pound power
forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl attends IMG Academy in Bradenton (FL). In addition to the 5-stars Rivals indicates
he’s the 14th best prospect in the Class of 2019. With the potential talent of Robinson-Earl
there are a considerable number of suitors.
Two of the schools seeking his services are Kansas where his father
played and Mizzou. The Mizzou offer is
unusual, as I indicated I’m sure they may have sought the same player, but I
question if there was an offer on the table.
They are improved
No one will mistake the Dallas Mavericks for the NBA champion Warriors. The Mavs finished in 4th place in 5 team Southwest Division of the NBA. All that’s changed now, the team improved in the last two weeks thanks to the draft and a free-agent move. Nothing is set in stone there might be additional moves but here goes. They drafted Trae Young and then traded his rights for Luka Doncic.
They are improved
No one will mistake the Dallas Mavericks for the NBA champion Warriors. The Mavs finished in 4th place in 5 team Southwest Division of the NBA. All that’s changed now, the team improved in the last two weeks thanks to the draft and a free-agent move. Nothing is set in stone there might be additional moves but here goes. They drafted Trae Young and then traded his rights for Luka Doncic.
That was move number one,
move two was signing DeAndre Jordan, I know he signed once before with the Mavs
and backed out of the agreement. We must
assume it was a verbal one rather than on the dotted line. In any event it’s believed Jordan is serious
this time, doesn’t matter if it’s only a 1-year contract he alone should
improve the defense. Thanks to these
off-season moves and likely more they should prove beneficial to the Mavs going
forward.
He’s got a job on
his hands
Jay Wright of Villanova is a winner we know that, he works his teams to the max and the results are two NCAA championships in the last three years. For 2018-19 the coach has his work cut out for him, the NBA raided his roster extensively in the June draft. Jalen Brunson…. gone, Mikal Bridges…. gone, Donte DiVincenzo…. gone, Omari Spellman…. gone, as you can see most of the offense and defense will be wearing NBA jerseys rather than then white and blue of Villanova. We shouldn’t expect a repeat of last season losing this volume of talent, he’s got a job on his hands however this is Jay Wright. Expect the Wildcats to be feisty and contend they just might not be as lethal.
Jay Wright of Villanova is a winner we know that, he works his teams to the max and the results are two NCAA championships in the last three years. For 2018-19 the coach has his work cut out for him, the NBA raided his roster extensively in the June draft. Jalen Brunson…. gone, Mikal Bridges…. gone, Donte DiVincenzo…. gone, Omari Spellman…. gone, as you can see most of the offense and defense will be wearing NBA jerseys rather than then white and blue of Villanova. We shouldn’t expect a repeat of last season losing this volume of talent, he’s got a job on his hands however this is Jay Wright. Expect the Wildcats to be feisty and contend they just might not be as lethal.
