BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
The revolving door
The “Help Wanted” sign is posted at several universities and colleges across the nation. A few coaches either retired or resigned, the largest number have been fired. There are at least two coaches on the hot seat (Arizona & LSU) who will likely be fired. This is a partial list of open head coaching jobs:
The “Help Wanted” sign is posted at several universities and colleges across the nation. A few coaches either retired or resigned, the largest number have been fired. There are at least two coaches on the hot seat (Arizona & LSU) who will likely be fired. This is a partial list of open head coaching jobs:
UNLV
Texas A&M
St Joseph’s
UCLA
UMKC
Tulane
Montana State
Washington State
Texas A&M
St Joseph’s
UCLA
UMKC
Tulane
Montana State
Washington State
Will the new hires continue a revolving
door or a hot-shot assistant we are unfamiliar with be hired?
Medical advancements or
something else?
Do you remember when voices were pleading for Duke’s Zion Williamson to sit down. These individuals expressed their opinions prior to Williamson’s knee injury related to his shoes. There were others who were injured significantly before the Duke power forward. Three high profile college players forced to sit out the season due to injury. All were projected NBA talent and it might be interesting to check out their position now. The first to be injured was power forward Jontay Porter at Mizzou, his injury occurred in practice before the season start. I’m not sure of the order of injury for the next two but down went Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland and Oregon power forward Bol Bol.
Do you remember when voices were pleading for Duke’s Zion Williamson to sit down. These individuals expressed their opinions prior to Williamson’s knee injury related to his shoes. There were others who were injured significantly before the Duke power forward. Three high profile college players forced to sit out the season due to injury. All were projected NBA talent and it might be interesting to check out their position now. The first to be injured was power forward Jontay Porter at Mizzou, his injury occurred in practice before the season start. I’m not sure of the order of injury for the next two but down went Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland and Oregon power forward Bol Bol.
In late March Bol Bol is the only
prospect we know his status. It was
reported at the time Bol would rehab and prepare for the NBA draft, the status
of the other two is unknown at this point.
Once upon a time an ACL or MCL injury meant the end of a career but not
anymore. I’ve forgotten the name,
Colorado had an outstanding player who could have been drafted as a junior if
he left school. He decided in favor of
returning and sustained an injury which wrecked his aspirations. With today’s medical advancements could
surgery and rehab have changed the picture?
As for the NBA draft this is a mock draft reveal, you might note none of
the three have dropped significantly.
16 Darius Garland
18 Bol Bol
23 Jontay Porter
18 Bol Bol
23 Jontay Porter
NBADraft.net
I missed this one by a wide
margin
In 2015 Shaka Smart could have written his own ticket, perhaps he did. He was fresh from his 6th consecutive winning season at Virginia Commonwealth. His previous five teams all made NCAA tournament appearances, that first team was CBI post-season champion. He would be successful no matter where he coached…. we thought. The University of Texas appeared always ready to remove Rick Barnes despite the fact he produced winning teams. The AD for Texas looked eastward and lured Shaka Smart to Austin and it was hoped he would continue to coach winning basketball.
In 2015 Shaka Smart could have written his own ticket, perhaps he did. He was fresh from his 6th consecutive winning season at Virginia Commonwealth. His previous five teams all made NCAA tournament appearances, that first team was CBI post-season champion. He would be successful no matter where he coached…. we thought. The University of Texas appeared always ready to remove Rick Barnes despite the fact he produced winning teams. The AD for Texas looked eastward and lured Shaka Smart to Austin and it was hoped he would continue to coach winning basketball.
I remember my thought, “Texas once thought of strictly as football
had witnessed a revolution in high
school basketball.” The Dallas-Fort
Worth metro plus Houston metro and other areas throughout the state would produce
talent for Smart. Well the fortunate
have not been what many expected, now in his third year Texas is .500 (66-66)
under Smart. This fan will admit that
he’s not followed the program as closely as others, but this is Texas, ripe for
picking talent off the trees. I’m
surprised Smart is unable to duplicate the success he experienced earlier in
his coaching career.
Tortoise and the Hare
Some of you might remember Aesop’s Fable the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Briefly a challenge race and naturally the rabbit was faster than the turtle. The rabbit raced so far ahead of the turtle he decided to take a break. While he was resting the turtle caught up with the rabbit and won the race. This NBA story can be related to the Tortoise and Hare in a manner of speaking. Trae Young and Luka Doncic will be forever tied, a draft night trade witnessed Young heading east to the Hawks and Doncic west to the Mavs. The fast start by Doncic witnessed many (including me) declaring him Rookie of the Year in November and December.
Some of you might remember Aesop’s Fable the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Briefly a challenge race and naturally the rabbit was faster than the turtle. The rabbit raced so far ahead of the turtle he decided to take a break. While he was resting the turtle caught up with the rabbit and won the race. This NBA story can be related to the Tortoise and Hare in a manner of speaking. Trae Young and Luka Doncic will be forever tied, a draft night trade witnessed Young heading east to the Hawks and Doncic west to the Mavs. The fast start by Doncic witnessed many (including me) declaring him Rookie of the Year in November and December.
Early in his start Young struggled in
order to gain his NBA legs, since the new year Young has accelerated his
game. The Hawks point guard says he
should be given consideration for Rookie of the Year. If we look strictly at the numbers, the two
athletes are not that far apart. Doncic
is scoring at 21.1 ppg while Young is 18.4.
Young averages 7.7 assists and Doncic 5.8 per game, surely Doncic
outshoots Young from the field, right?
Well that’s correct however it’s not what you might first perceive.
Doncic is 42.9% from the floor versus 41.5 from Young. It should be expected the 6 foot 7 Doncic out
rebounds the 6 foot 2 Young 7.5 rebounds to 3.6 for Young. What do you think, is Young correct should he
be considered for 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year?
