Basketball from a
fans perspective
Carmelo on the move
We knew Carmelo Anthony was history in Oklahoma City, the question where would he land? It’s Atlanta for a period, the Thunder will receive Dennis Schroder, Mike Muscala and a draft pick. Muscala will then be traded to go the Sixers for Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. Back to Carmelo, the Hawks are expected to release him thus he becomes free to sign wherever. If it’s Houston as mentioned Carmelo becomes 6th man, he’s not displacing any of the starting five on the Rockets. On the other hand, he could sign with the Heat.
He’s number 1 or
number 3
Depends on your source, Class of 2019 prospect James Wiseman is awarded 5-stars and number 1 by ESPN100 Recruiting Database. Rivals.com list him as the number 3 prospect but also gives him 5-stars too. Wiseman is a 7-foot 230-pound center from Memphis Tennessee. This youngster has several schools recruiting him, Kentucky and John Calipari were considered to have the inside track.
Depends on your source, Class of 2019 prospect James Wiseman is awarded 5-stars and number 1 by ESPN100 Recruiting Database. Rivals.com list him as the number 3 prospect but also gives him 5-stars too. Wiseman is a 7-foot 230-pound center from Memphis Tennessee. This youngster has several schools recruiting him, Kentucky and John Calipari were considered to have the inside track.
A new player arrived on the
scene, former NBA player and Memphis coach Penny Hardaway is also recruiting
the youngster. Calipari has an advantage
in coaching and recruiting however Penny’s got one up on Calipari. Penny coached Wiseman in high school and in
AAU ball. This by no means indicates
Wiseman is headed to Memphis however we’ve got to believe this to be an
advantage for Penny. Stay tuned to see
how this battle turns out.
Truth is I’m okay
The longer the Kawhi Leonard saga continued the less likely he was headed to the Lakers. I can’t blame the Spurs, why trade your best player to a potential contending rival. In addition, that foe just acquired LeBron James the preeminent player currently in the NBA. We believe the addition of LeBron will guarantee the Lakers an additional 10 wins in the upcoming season. The Lakers won 35 games last season without LeBron 10 wins would increase their won-loss total to 45.
Truth is I’m okay
The longer the Kawhi Leonard saga continued the less likely he was headed to the Lakers. I can’t blame the Spurs, why trade your best player to a potential contending rival. In addition, that foe just acquired LeBron James the preeminent player currently in the NBA. We believe the addition of LeBron will guarantee the Lakers an additional 10 wins in the upcoming season. The Lakers won 35 games last season without LeBron 10 wins would increase their won-loss total to 45.
The number just mentioned is
not a playoff secured number, the 8th place team in the west last
season won 47 games. They will likely require
an additional 4 to 5 wins to ensure they secure a playoff berth. As for Kawhi he’ll be okay, if healthy he
will play good for the Raptors. As for the
Lakers they are taking a “Paul George” chance on Kawhi however I understand. LeBron James had maybe his best season in
years however he’s 34-years old, the Lakers with a Kawhi in the lineup would
have bankrupted their future. Conducting
business in this manner they continue to develop but at a slower pace in adding
pieces, Kawhi just might not be one of those pieces added
NBA Europe
Former NBA commissioner David Stern entertained the idea of NBA basketball in Europe, he continued the dialogue for several years until he left office. Stern’s successor Adam Silver (to my knowledge) has barely mentioned play in Europe other than exhibition and the occasional regular season game between existing NBA teams. Despite the growing popularity of NBA basketball in Europe the logistical problems associated with it are a nightmare to contemplate. Let’s check out just a few issues. Travel, it’s a 7-hour flight between New York and London, imagine the time from Chicago or Los Angeles. It’s my belief until flight time is well under 7 hours a game between the Kings and a team in Paris is impractical.
Former NBA commissioner David Stern entertained the idea of NBA basketball in Europe, he continued the dialogue for several years until he left office. Stern’s successor Adam Silver (to my knowledge) has barely mentioned play in Europe other than exhibition and the occasional regular season game between existing NBA teams. Despite the growing popularity of NBA basketball in Europe the logistical problems associated with it are a nightmare to contemplate. Let’s check out just a few issues. Travel, it’s a 7-hour flight between New York and London, imagine the time from Chicago or Los Angeles. It’s my belief until flight time is well under 7 hours a game between the Kings and a team in Paris is impractical.
Infringement, I don’t have a working knowledge of Euro basketball although
it certainly appears successful and fans seem to love it. Probably most Euro basketball fans would
appreciate the ability to see a LeBron or Steph live however team owners might
have a different take with perceived competition for revenue. NBA
Europe, this is the final suggestion and even it could face
problems. Although shut down now the NFL
operated an NFL Europe for several years.
NBA teams could be formed in Europe but would only play other teams on
the continent, no flying back and forth to the U.S. There might be an area I’ve overlooked
however that is the present state I see regarding NBA Europe.
Bits n Pieces
Did you do it, I’m referring to the 2000 NBA draft? I wrote that draft might have been the least productive in NBA history. Not a single outstanding player came out of the Class of 2000. Just to refresh your memory Kenyon Martin from Cincinnati was made the number one pick by the New Jersey Nets, the second pick was LSU’s Stromile Swift by the Vancouver Grizzlies. They were followed by Darius Miles, Marcus Fizer and Mike Miller. To be fair Martin and Miller had tenure in the NBA and how could I forget the elderly Jamal Crawford an invaluable reserve.
Bits n Pieces
Did you do it, I’m referring to the 2000 NBA draft? I wrote that draft might have been the least productive in NBA history. Not a single outstanding player came out of the Class of 2000. Just to refresh your memory Kenyon Martin from Cincinnati was made the number one pick by the New Jersey Nets, the second pick was LSU’s Stromile Swift by the Vancouver Grizzlies. They were followed by Darius Miles, Marcus Fizer and Mike Miller. To be fair Martin and Miller had tenure in the NBA and how could I forget the elderly Jamal Crawford an invaluable reserve.
Duke appears to have
cornered the market on Rivals talent.
They have #1 R.J. Barrett 6-foot 7-inch small forward, #3 Cameron
Reddish 6-foot 7-inch shooting guard, Zion Williamson 6-foot 6-inch 270-pound
small forward (?) along with #12 Tre Jones a 6-foot 2-inch point guard. Almost a complete starting lineup although
its likely not all become starters in their freshman year. There will be shifting of positions, height
aside I cannot imagine Williamson at 270 pounds playing the small forward
position.
Michael Porter Jr. and Trae Young arrive in the NBA with question marks. In both instances we are discussing health, but each is a different fitness issue. For Michael Porter Jr. he is drafted with the hope his back healed and he remains injury free. As this was being completed MPJ underwent another surgery. It's hoped both can handle the rigors of the NBA and remain healthy and injury free.
Michael Porter Jr. and Trae Young arrive in the NBA with question marks. In both instances we are discussing health, but each is a different fitness issue. For Michael Porter Jr. he is drafted with the hope his back healed and he remains injury free. As this was being completed MPJ underwent another surgery. It's hoped both can handle the rigors of the NBA and remain healthy and injury free.
