Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
Lifesaver
Not the candy nor “a buoy designed to be thrown to a person in the water to provide buoyancy and prevent drowning.” In this instance the lifesaver might be Andrew Bogut. Many questioned why the Warriors picked up their former center Andrew Bogut with Boogie Cousins on the roster. The veteran center is 34-years old, is no scoring threat compared to Cousins.
Who knew Cousins would sustain an injury sidelining him for the balance of the playoffs? As for Bogut he does all those little things that often fail to show up in a box score. He only scored 8 points but had 14 rebounds and 5 assists in the 132-105 victory over the Clippers. In this instance Andrew Bogut might be just that, a buoy to prevent the Warriors from sinking to the bottom of the playoff picture something not possible without an adequate backup center.
He could have chosen an easier
path
The new head coach at Vanderbilt has a task on his hands. Well that’s no different from any other college coach, well not quite. Jerry Stackhouse has close to 20 years’ experience as an NBA player, he’s got little experience as a head coach. He claims he could have interviewed for an NBA head coaching position. In addition, there is another issue on the table…. academics. Information uncovered indicates the Nashville school requires incoming freshman to have at least a 3.76 GPA out of a 4.0.
The new head coach at Vanderbilt has a task on his hands. Well that’s no different from any other college coach, well not quite. Jerry Stackhouse has close to 20 years’ experience as an NBA player, he’s got little experience as a head coach. He claims he could have interviewed for an NBA head coaching position. In addition, there is another issue on the table…. academics. Information uncovered indicates the Nashville school requires incoming freshman to have at least a 3.76 GPA out of a 4.0.
Can you say,
academics plus sports? Academics are
important at all institutions of higher learning its just the fact several
reinforce it. We are sometimes critical
of athletes especially the one and done number.
Despite the academics Vanderbilt has managed to maintain a modicum of
success over its basketball history.
This is an age coaches are not provided a great deal of time to turn
around a program, Bryce Drew was in his third year. In conclusion the academics, recruiting plus
wins and losses you can see Stackhouse has his work cut out for him.
This is different
Not the fact Mike Anderson secured employment but where, if you asked me where the former Arkansas coach would be hired next St. John’s didn’t make the Top 10. This is not intended at a slam at the school rather the belief the New York City school might not be on his radar. The coach has been a winner at every coaching stop which now includes UAB, Mizzou and Arkansas. Big East basketball remains competitive and the Red Storm under Anderson will be just that. Maybe the fact Anderson was born in Alabama and will soon be coaching in New York City is the oddity for this writer.
Not the fact Mike Anderson secured employment but where, if you asked me where the former Arkansas coach would be hired next St. John’s didn’t make the Top 10. This is not intended at a slam at the school rather the belief the New York City school might not be on his radar. The coach has been a winner at every coaching stop which now includes UAB, Mizzou and Arkansas. Big East basketball remains competitive and the Red Storm under Anderson will be just that. Maybe the fact Anderson was born in Alabama and will soon be coaching in New York City is the oddity for this writer.
A thing of the past
It won’t occur in 2019, it might not be 2020 but it’s coming. The one and done rule which appears universally hated will become a thing of the past. An 18-year old will become NBA draft eligible again. Those potentially entering college in 2020 and beyond will be faced with a choice. “I could enroll in college however the Class of 2021 might be draft eligible. Although I’m considered a potential NBA pick too do, I lose my place in line by deciding in favor of college.” A significant number of youngsters will be facing the dilemma laid out before you.
Beyond that issue NBA
teams must work overtime to uncover talent.
Prior to implementing the rule a few players were drafted who were not
NBA ready even years later. For every
Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett produced by the draft it also yielded a Kwame
Brown or Robert Swift. If you are
unfamiliar with Brown or Swift Google their names. The colleges and universities will benefit,
they will enroll true student-athletes.
Finally, don’t mislead yourself the march toward the NBA will continue
and some will leave early. The key
difference this new breed won’t be double-minded enrolling in school with eyes
on the NBA
It won’t occur in 2019, it might not be 2020 but it’s coming. The one and done rule which appears universally hated will become a thing of the past. An 18-year old will become NBA draft eligible again. Those potentially entering college in 2020 and beyond will be faced with a choice. “I could enroll in college however the Class of 2021 might be draft eligible. Although I’m considered a potential NBA pick too do, I lose my place in line by deciding in favor of college.” A significant number of youngsters will be facing the dilemma laid out before you.
