I know, I know
We’re in the middle of football with baseball playoffs still in progress, there is continuing news on the basketball front for Mizzou fans. Tray Jackson a Rivals 4-star prospect in the Class of 2019 committed to Mizzou. The interesting story, this 6-foot 8-inch power forward committed earlier to Minnesota. We guess since he’d not signed on the dotted line Jackson (and any other verbal) could still be contacted by a team’s coaching staff.
We’re in the middle of football with baseball playoffs still in progress, there is continuing news on the basketball front for Mizzou fans. Tray Jackson a Rivals 4-star prospect in the Class of 2019 committed to Mizzou. The interesting story, this 6-foot 8-inch power forward committed earlier to Minnesota. We guess since he’d not signed on the dotted line Jackson (and any other verbal) could still be contacted by a team’s coaching staff.
Jackson is from Detroit but
attends Sunrise Christian Academy in suburban Wichita Kansas. He becomes the second-Class of 2019 prospect committing
to Mizzou and now for my disclaimer. This
is no predictor of future success at the next level, the coach must believe Jackson
could enhance Mizzou’s program going forward.
St Louis Post-Dispatch says; “This
softens the blow on losing E.J. Liddell.”
Some might remember Liddell was a highly sought power forward from
metro St. Louis, Liddell would choose Ohio State over Mizzou.
“New” arenas
Sometimes our home reaches a point requiring remodeling, we believe there is a need for a new and improved version of our present living quarters. That’s the case in the NBA as well, I’m not sure of the date I wrote of the newly built arenas open or under construction. We begin this report in Cleveland, I’ve never been inside Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, so I can’t sign off on this comment. Kevin Kleps of Cleveland Business wrote; “Quicken Loans Arena will look new after a two-year renovation.” The report indicated $185 million was spent on the arena over that period, sadly the building will not replace LeBron.
Sometimes our home reaches a point requiring remodeling, we believe there is a need for a new and improved version of our present living quarters. That’s the case in the NBA as well, I’m not sure of the date I wrote of the newly built arenas open or under construction. We begin this report in Cleveland, I’ve never been inside Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, so I can’t sign off on this comment. Kevin Kleps of Cleveland Business wrote; “Quicken Loans Arena will look new after a two-year renovation.” The report indicated $185 million was spent on the arena over that period, sadly the building will not replace LeBron.
In Atlanta Philips Arena is
no more, it’s been replaced by State
Farm Arena. No, its not a new
arena it’s a name change plus a $200 million renovation. Target
Center home of the Wolves had undergone a $140 million renovation but
will undergo a $2.5 million renovation to premium spaces. In the discussion stage is Talking Stick Arena home of the
Suns, no announced start date as this is written. Included in this report is Key Arena in Seattle, the city
has no NBA team at present, but it’s hoped the renovation will attract a new
Sonics team. I believe this brings us up
to date on arena renovations planned and those completed.
G-League proposal
By now you are probably aware of the G-League proposal for high school athletes. The proposal is simple, high-profile basketball players will be eligible for a $125,000 salary to play. Its intent is aimed at curtailing the one and done rule. Unless a youngster comes from an upper middle-class family the monetary offering is tremendous. There are no restrictions in earning money from shoe endorsements, media or other avenues of pursuit.
By now you are probably aware of the G-League proposal for high school athletes. The proposal is simple, high-profile basketball players will be eligible for a $125,000 salary to play. Its intent is aimed at curtailing the one and done rule. Unless a youngster comes from an upper middle-class family the monetary offering is tremendous. There are no restrictions in earning money from shoe endorsements, media or other avenues of pursuit.
Will it work, we don’t know
until the first high school player travels this route. One sure bet everything I read indicates the
one and done rule will not be eliminated before 2020. I didn’t read all the details however any
18-year old in the league must have an outside agency monitor his finances. I could see an immature 18 or 19-year-old running
through a month’s salary in a matter of weeks.
For me these issues are paramount to the success of this proposal and
out weigh any objections from the NCAA.
The State’s “Step-Child”
Football season for a few years now it’s been the Kansas State Wildcats at or near the top and the Kansas Jayhawks at or near the bottom of the Big 12. Come basketball season the story almost reverses itself. Basketball season the Wildcats become the State’s step-child, mistreated (media) and overlooked by those in Kansas. The 2018-19 season might be completely different for the first time in years. The CBS Sports Way Too Early Top 25 poll has Kansas ranked number 2 in the nation and Kansas State number 12, we are familiar with seeing Kansas at or near the top of any poll.
Football season for a few years now it’s been the Kansas State Wildcats at or near the top and the Kansas Jayhawks at or near the bottom of the Big 12. Come basketball season the story almost reverses itself. Basketball season the Wildcats become the State’s step-child, mistreated (media) and overlooked by those in Kansas. The 2018-19 season might be completely different for the first time in years. The CBS Sports Way Too Early Top 25 poll has Kansas ranked number 2 in the nation and Kansas State number 12, we are familiar with seeing Kansas at or near the top of any poll.
For Kansas State this might
be a first, without researching the issue I certainly can’t remember a
time. It might be the 2007-08 season the
last time both teams were both represented in any media poll. That was the Frank Martin led Wildcats which
featured Michael Beasley and Bill Walker.
This veteran Kansas State team finished 22-11 with a 10-8 conference
record. Is the season Kansas State wins
at least one of the home and home series?
I’m sure those in Manhattan Kansas are more excited for the start of basketball season in quite a few years.
