Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
He’s a warrior
More than a few opposing players don’t like Draymon Green. A larger number of fans can I state this…. they hate his guts. Some fans believe he baits the opposition into committing fouls, flops and berates game officials. As for the balance of the Warriors roster that’s a different story. They adore the Splash Brothers; they value Kevin Durant and for a smaller number its Draymon Green. Green is a 6-foot 7-inch 230-pound high energy guy who impacts the Warriors on both ends of the court.
Check out his numbers from Game three, although he’s not paid
to score he can fill up a box score when essential. He scored 20 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists
4 steals and had 1 blocked shot while he was 50% from the floor. He aided his team to a 110-99 victory. The win led to
an overwhelming 3 games to 0 lead over the Blazers. Green kind of reminds us of Dennis Rodman
without the wedding dress. Rodman was
superior at rebounds, Green a better shooter.
Both were/are irritating to opposing players (and sometimes teammates).
Luke Walton’s outlandish dad
You’ve listened to his commentary during the college basketball season. At some point during the game he might mention the rock group The Grateful Dead. Okay he does appear strange but don’t allow his conversation to fool you. Bill Walton could play the game, a series of injuries cut short a promising NBA career. How good was Walton, we could state he was the second-best player ever to play at UCLA…number one of course was Lew Alcindor.
You’ve listened to his commentary during the college basketball season. At some point during the game he might mention the rock group The Grateful Dead. Okay he does appear strange but don’t allow his conversation to fool you. Bill Walton could play the game, a series of injuries cut short a promising NBA career. How good was Walton, we could state he was the second-best player ever to play at UCLA…number one of course was Lew Alcindor.
Walton was 3-time college player of the year, back then
college players usually remained in school four years. While at UCLA the school won two consecutive
NCAA championships with Walton leading the way.
His bio indicates he was a two-time NBA champion with the Blazers and
Celtics, the 1986 championship with the Celtics was in a reserve role as
injuries had robbed him of much of his physical ability. It will likely be next fall before you hear
the voice of this college and Naismith Hall of Fame athlete again.
It wasn’t intentional
My salute to Kevin Puryear was due to his local connection having played at a KC metro high school. I overlooked several other Mizzou basketball players graduating this month. They were Jordan Geist, Cullen Vanleer, Adam Wolf and Ronnie Suggs. Rest assured there were other programs that might have drafted an equal number or might have exceeded Mizzou’s total. As indicated earlier its good to have athletes with the emphasis on student-athlete.
My salute to Kevin Puryear was due to his local connection having played at a KC metro high school. I overlooked several other Mizzou basketball players graduating this month. They were Jordan Geist, Cullen Vanleer, Adam Wolf and Ronnie Suggs. Rest assured there were other programs that might have drafted an equal number or might have exceeded Mizzou’s total. As indicated earlier its good to have athletes with the emphasis on student-athlete.
Next fall
The college basketball season concluded April 8, several weeks ago, it will be next fall before collegians begin dribbling basketballs again. As usual this fan is anxiously waiting to see several of the blue-chip prospects in action in the fall. Last season it was Duke’s Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and R.J. Barrett. Ja Morant of Murray State was a relative unknown but also became a standout during the season. There were others, Rui Hashimura of Gonzaga and North Carolina’s Coby White.
The college basketball season concluded April 8, several weeks ago, it will be next fall before collegians begin dribbling basketballs again. As usual this fan is anxiously waiting to see several of the blue-chip prospects in action in the fall. Last season it was Duke’s Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and R.J. Barrett. Ja Morant of Murray State was a relative unknown but also became a standout during the season. There were others, Rui Hashimura of Gonzaga and North Carolina’s Coby White.
Just a few of the names playing outstanding basketball in the
2018-19 season. How about the upcoming
season, at the top of the list is 7-foot power forward/center James
Wiseman. He will find tune his game
playing for Penny Hardaway at Memphis. 6-10
big man Vernon Carey Jr. at Duke is also one intriguing prospect to follow. Three guards on our radar, Nico Mannion Arizona,
Cole Anthony North Carolina and Anthony Edwards at Georgia should make a smooth
transition to the college game.
Big man in a Big city…. maybe
It would be extremely difficult to miss 7-foot 7-inch Tacko Fall. The big man has been on our radar for the last four years. This spring he grew even bigger (if that’s possible), his outstanding NCAA game versus Duke plus the draft combine. When measured at the combine we discover the native of Senegal is even taller than we thought. His growth (excuse the pun) has led him to New York City at least the New York Post.
It would be extremely difficult to miss 7-foot 7-inch Tacko Fall. The big man has been on our radar for the last four years. This spring he grew even bigger (if that’s possible), his outstanding NCAA game versus Duke plus the draft combine. When measured at the combine we discover the native of Senegal is even taller than we thought. His growth (excuse the pun) has led him to New York City at least the New York Post.
His standing reach at the draft combine was 10.25 feet, you
realize an NBA basket is exactly 10 feet above the floor. Fall can dunk a basketball without actually
JUMPING! Unconfirmed reports indicate the
Knicks might entertain signing him as a free agent. It appears NBA scouts and several front
offices were impressed by the skill he demonstrated at the combine. One downside to his game is subpar free-throw
shooting, think Shaq only 2 or 3 times worst.
Reports are Fall might be drafted in the second round and then move to
the G-League to enhance portions of his game.
