BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
Murray State and the NBA
Murray Kentucky is a city and metro of over 38,000 souls located in Western Kentucky, the city is also the home of the Murray State Racers. Because the NCAA Tournament draws many who are not traditional basketball fans the nation was introduced to Murray State and Ja Morant on Thursday March 20th. Don’t be surprised to hear commissioner Silver in June step to the podium and say, “With the ______ pick in the 2019 NBA draft the _______select Ja Morant of Murray State.”
Murray Kentucky is a city and metro of over 38,000 souls located in Western Kentucky, the city is also the home of the Murray State Racers. Because the NCAA Tournament draws many who are not traditional basketball fans the nation was introduced to Murray State and Ja Morant on Thursday March 20th. Don’t be surprised to hear commissioner Silver in June step to the podium and say, “With the ______ pick in the 2019 NBA draft the _______select Ja Morant of Murray State.”
Murray State has sent several players into the
NBA over the years, the most recent Cameron Payne Thunder guard drafted in the
first round of the 2015 NBA draft. Two
years earlier guard Isaiah Canaan was selected in the second round by the
Rockets. Murray State’s Popeye Jones
played 11 seasons for a few NBA teams.
Cinderella is still alive as the 12th seed Murray State
Racers defeated the 5th seed Marquette Golden Eagles 83-64. Morant was simply spectacular in leading the
way to victory scored 17 points with 11 rebounds and 16 assists. Morant did
commit 7 turnovers, He’s not careless but attempts several passes the ball
should be on a string in order to pull it back.
He’s back
Jimmer Fredette is returning to the NBA, you remember him, don’t you? Fredette was the 2011 Naismith College Player of the Year while at Brigham Young. Fredette was the 10th player chosen in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft, he was chosen by the Bucks however his rights were traded to the Kings where he made his NBA debut. From that point in 2011 on Fredette bounced around the NBA playing for three NBA teams plus a stint in the G-League.
Jimmer Fredette is returning to the NBA, you remember him, don’t you? Fredette was the 2011 Naismith College Player of the Year while at Brigham Young. Fredette was the 10th player chosen in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft, he was chosen by the Bucks however his rights were traded to the Kings where he made his NBA debut. From that point in 2011 on Fredette bounced around the NBA playing for three NBA teams plus a stint in the G-League.
Whether he was given the opportunity we
don’t know however he was never able to duplicate the shooting prowess he
exhibited at Brigham Young. He’s been
playing in the Chinese Basketball Association for the last three years. The Suns must believe in him, they announced he’d
signed a 2-year contract. Fredette is
30-years old now and this certainly has got to be his last opportunity at an
NBA career.
The first wave
This is an early list of college players declared for the 2019 NBA draft. One of the names excluded is Mizzou’s Jontay Porter. Just this past weekend the coach indicated he was unsure if Porter was leaving so he will be mentioned but not included in the number. The listing certainly is not intended to be complete, these are names verified on two or more sources. It should note this early a player could change his mind.
This is an early list of college players declared for the 2019 NBA draft. One of the names excluded is Mizzou’s Jontay Porter. Just this past weekend the coach indicated he was unsure if Porter was leaving so he will be mentioned but not included in the number. The listing certainly is not intended to be complete, these are names verified on two or more sources. It should note this early a player could change his mind.
Kris Wilkes UCLA
Daniel Gafford Arkansas
Jimmy Whitt SMU
Derrik Smits Valparaiso*
Shamorie Ponds St John’s
Darius Garland Vanderbilt
Daniel Gafford Arkansas
Jimmy Whitt SMU
Derrik Smits Valparaiso*
Shamorie Ponds St John’s
Darius Garland Vanderbilt
*son of former NBA player Rik Smits
What I want and what I get
are two different things
This is part II, the first portion on March 13 dealt with the draft this one on trades or free-agent possibilities. I once referred to myself as Captain Speculation, that’s going to be revised now. I’m going to state only in certain instances, as an example my team the Lakers. I see several players who will be available in the off-season either free-agency or via trade. Since I don’t have a clue what the Laker brain-trust has in mind I will say these are players I’d like to see on the team.
This is part II, the first portion on March 13 dealt with the draft this one on trades or free-agent possibilities. I once referred to myself as Captain Speculation, that’s going to be revised now. I’m going to state only in certain instances, as an example my team the Lakers. I see several players who will be available in the off-season either free-agency or via trade. Since I don’t have a clue what the Laker brain-trust has in mind I will say these are players I’d like to see on the team.
Although this account is on veteran NBA
players this occurred earlier Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka scouted Ja Morant,
from all indications unless there is a huge drop in Morant’s stock he’s liable
to be off the board by the time the Lakers make their pick. Back to the matter at hand these NBA players are
not in any order, in addition there are several omitted from this search. That fails to take into consideration they
are quality players, its my belief those below would be the best fit and raise
level of play.
Kawhi Leonard
Boogie Cousins
Klay Thompson
Khris Middleton
Anthony Davis
Boogie Cousins
Klay Thompson
Khris Middleton
Anthony Davis
