BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
Markelle Fultz is not the
worst
This blog has written more than one account regarding former Sixer Markelle Fultz. Traded to the Magic after being the number one draft pick provided a question. He became the topic of discussion as the worst NBA top draft choice ever. I disagree with that statement and will explain later. Greg Oden’s name was displayed along with Fultz and others. If it’s discovered, you cannot play that in my mind is far different from injury prone. Fultz and Oden before him suffered injuries which kept them from performing at the level they displayed in college. As for Fultz its certainly not too late, he won’t turn 21-years of age until the end of May 2019.
This blog has written more than one account regarding former Sixer Markelle Fultz. Traded to the Magic after being the number one draft pick provided a question. He became the topic of discussion as the worst NBA top draft choice ever. I disagree with that statement and will explain later. Greg Oden’s name was displayed along with Fultz and others. If it’s discovered, you cannot play that in my mind is far different from injury prone. Fultz and Oden before him suffered injuries which kept them from performing at the level they displayed in college. As for Fultz its certainly not too late, he won’t turn 21-years of age until the end of May 2019.
As for the all-time worst number one I
had to consult the record books. If you
are a friend or relative of LaRue Martin this is not done in a mean-spirited
manner. I read the 6-foot 11-inch Martin
had outplayed UCLA’s Bill Walton, that was enough to convince the Blazers to
draft him number one in the 1972 NBA draft.
He played but four years averaging 5.3 points and 4.6 rebounds, he
indicates the NBA coaches he had didn’t “believe”
in him which is the basis for limited minutes and a short career. Martin contends he took care of his family so
we can certainly state that part of his life turned out well.
Your darn straight I’m bias
I must be careful in writing about Kansas basketball, I am acquainted with several Kansas fans. They believe (mistakenly) I take opportunities to offer negative commentary on their favorite team on occasion. Totally untrue, my position must be clarified again, I have no issues with any players in the past or present day. While I recognize Bill Self is a quality winning coach his bias toward Mizzou is just as valid as mine is. Self has a clear advantage over yours truly. The circle he might influence with his view is far more expansive than mine but that’s okay. Mizzou left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012 and Self has held animosity toward Mizzou since then.
I must be careful in writing about Kansas basketball, I am acquainted with several Kansas fans. They believe (mistakenly) I take opportunities to offer negative commentary on their favorite team on occasion. Totally untrue, my position must be clarified again, I have no issues with any players in the past or present day. While I recognize Bill Self is a quality winning coach his bias toward Mizzou is just as valid as mine is. Self has a clear advantage over yours truly. The circle he might influence with his view is far more expansive than mine but that’s okay. Mizzou left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012 and Self has held animosity toward Mizzou since then.
With the disclaimer out of the way allow
me to continue, I will keep writing about Kansas basketball. Kansas basketball will be applauded at times
when they win, at the same time they will be criticized when it is
deserved. Why is it okay (especially in
the KC Metro) to offer critical comments about every college team except
Kansas. The metro is 583 miles from
Lexington home of Kentucky and 1,067 from Durham N.C. home to Duke. You might be surprised at the amount of
negative conversation we are exposed to regarding North Carolina, Kentucky and
Duke. Several Kansas fans continue to
hold a grudge against Roy Williams leaving for Carolina (2003). I guess that’s okay to hold a bias but not
for me, oh well.
The view from 30,000 feet
I am a Laker fan, when I bleed its purple and gold rather than red of most of you. With the disclaimer out of the way allow me to proceed view. Those of you outside American shores might not realize we love conspiracies so here goes.
I am a Laker fan, when I bleed its purple and gold rather than red of most of you. With the disclaimer out of the way allow me to proceed view. Those of you outside American shores might not realize we love conspiracies so here goes.
*AD went to the Pelicans informing them
he wanted a trade.
*Pelicans management upset at AD especially wanting the Lakers allowed the news leak to the media.
*To ensure the story received maximum exposure they released the list of players the Lakers “were reported to have offered.” (Ball yes, Kuzma, Ingram, Zubac plus Rondo makes no sense whatsoever.
*The final offer the public heard was 4 number 1 draft picks. (Who in their right mind gives up four (4) consecutive number 1’s no matter where you finish?)
*The Pelicans have shot themselves in the foot, do they really believe they are going to get Jayson Tatum from the Celtics in a July package?
*Pelicans management upset at AD especially wanting the Lakers allowed the news leak to the media.
*To ensure the story received maximum exposure they released the list of players the Lakers “were reported to have offered.” (Ball yes, Kuzma, Ingram, Zubac plus Rondo makes no sense whatsoever.
*The final offer the public heard was 4 number 1 draft picks. (Who in their right mind gives up four (4) consecutive number 1’s no matter where you finish?)
*The Pelicans have shot themselves in the foot, do they really believe they are going to get Jayson Tatum from the Celtics in a July package?
He intends to not repeat the
past
Mavs owner Mark Cuban made a confession, he says he made a mistake trading Steve Nash to the Suns. ‘It was my mistake to not keep Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash Together Longer.’* Nash and Dirk Nowitzki should have remained teammates for an uncounted number of years. Vowing to not have that occur again Cuban is talking about keeping Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis together for “The next 20 years.” While the comment is impressive and sounds good is this possible in the 21st Century NBA? We’ll address the issue in this manner, short of a career ending injury to either is it possible they could team for 20 years?
Mavs owner Mark Cuban made a confession, he says he made a mistake trading Steve Nash to the Suns. ‘It was my mistake to not keep Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash Together Longer.’* Nash and Dirk Nowitzki should have remained teammates for an uncounted number of years. Vowing to not have that occur again Cuban is talking about keeping Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis together for “The next 20 years.” While the comment is impressive and sounds good is this possible in the 21st Century NBA? We’ll address the issue in this manner, short of a career ending injury to either is it possible they could team for 20 years?
At the top of the list preventing this
man-crush from materializing is free-agency, who knows what the NBA landscape
appears even 10 years from now. How
about this issue, wear and tear on the body, year after year playing into June
can impact the most trained athlete, there were signs with Kobe Bryant the last
few years of play. Is LeBron James
suffering the same fate, an athlete who is rarely injured but has played into
June year after year. He’s played but one
game as this is written since December 25.
Finally, a career ending injury could occur in the blink of an eye,
that’s worse of all. I’m sure most
athletes desire to leave the game on their own terms, retiring due to injury
certainly is at the bottom of the list.
It would be fantastic if Cuban can maintain his Euro connection for the
next 20 years however it’s a hope rather than an actuality.
*Slam.com
*Slam.com
