Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
I won’t do that again
At the time I left the game I believe the Blazers had something like a 65 to 50 lead. No needing of staying up any longer, I’ll check the game in the morning. Imagine my shock when I awoke Friday morning to discover the Warriors won 114-111. I’m unable to provide any insight into the game remember I decided the Blazers had “won” the game earlier in the evening. Check out SportsCenter or one of several news sources for details of the Warriors win.
Penny
The former NBA star is continuing to place a “blanket” over the Memphis metro. Penny Hardaway has adopted the Cuonzo Martin strategy of attempting to recruit all the talent in the area. Who knew, 5-star prospect James Wiseman was reported to be headed to Kentucky to play for John Calipari. Oh, I forgot to mention the 7-foot center is from Memphis. In addition to Wiseman four additional Top 100 prospects will be on campus in August. Grad transfer Rayjon Tucker is headed to Memphis maybe, never mind he’s submitted his name as an early entry for the NBA.
If Tucker decides to withdraw his name Penny will gain a player who scored at a 20-point game clip in college. ESPN Recruiting places the Memphis Tigers number 8 in its Top 25 prospects for 2019 but wait there’s more. Penny scored another coup when Rivals 5-star prospect Precious Achiuwa gave a verbal commitment as this account was being completed. The 6-9 forward attends Montverde Academy in Florida, Memphis now has the number one recruiting class in the nation with Achiuwa. Now its up to Hardaway to mold this collection of McDonalds All-Americans and Rivals 5-star prospects into a cohesive unit. Can they win the NCAA championship in 2020, most certainly? You know the old saying championships are won on the court not on paper.
The former NBA star is continuing to place a “blanket” over the Memphis metro. Penny Hardaway has adopted the Cuonzo Martin strategy of attempting to recruit all the talent in the area. Who knew, 5-star prospect James Wiseman was reported to be headed to Kentucky to play for John Calipari. Oh, I forgot to mention the 7-foot center is from Memphis. In addition to Wiseman four additional Top 100 prospects will be on campus in August. Grad transfer Rayjon Tucker is headed to Memphis maybe, never mind he’s submitted his name as an early entry for the NBA.
If Tucker decides to withdraw his name Penny will gain a player who scored at a 20-point game clip in college. ESPN Recruiting places the Memphis Tigers number 8 in its Top 25 prospects for 2019 but wait there’s more. Penny scored another coup when Rivals 5-star prospect Precious Achiuwa gave a verbal commitment as this account was being completed. The 6-9 forward attends Montverde Academy in Florida, Memphis now has the number one recruiting class in the nation with Achiuwa. Now its up to Hardaway to mold this collection of McDonalds All-Americans and Rivals 5-star prospects into a cohesive unit. Can they win the NCAA championship in 2020, most certainly? You know the old saying championships are won on the court not on paper.
Made their intentions known
While the basketball world is still discussing Zion Williamson in the Big Easy the Grizzlies made their intentions known. They announced their intentions to draft Murray State’s Ja Morant. Point guard Mike Conley is on the downhill side of 30 but remains a valuable member of the Grizzlies. There is even talk of paring the two in the backcourt together. Over the next month we’ll follow this closely and see if the Grizzlies follow through on their announced intention. The Grizzlies are the only remaining team without a head coach. Is it possible a newly hired head coach might change minds after he’s hired?
While the basketball world is still discussing Zion Williamson in the Big Easy the Grizzlies made their intentions known. They announced their intentions to draft Murray State’s Ja Morant. Point guard Mike Conley is on the downhill side of 30 but remains a valuable member of the Grizzlies. There is even talk of paring the two in the backcourt together. Over the next month we’ll follow this closely and see if the Grizzlies follow through on their announced intention. The Grizzlies are the only remaining team without a head coach. Is it possible a newly hired head coach might change minds after he’s hired?
Yes, I believe I would
A report is circulating the Lakers are considering trading LeBron James for Sixer Ben Simmons. It would appear more than just the two players would be involved in order to accommodate the salary issues. If that’s resolved do, I make the trade? I have no connection to owner Jeanie Buss or GM Rod Pelinka however I make the trade. I know, some of you are saying “He never wanted LeBron with the Lakers in the first place!” That’s not true I always recognized the talent it just so happened he wasn’t my favorite player. Back to the subject at hand, let’s check out key factors. Age, LeBron will be 35 before next season is complete, Simmons will turn 23 in July.
A report is circulating the Lakers are considering trading LeBron James for Sixer Ben Simmons. It would appear more than just the two players would be involved in order to accommodate the salary issues. If that’s resolved do, I make the trade? I have no connection to owner Jeanie Buss or GM Rod Pelinka however I make the trade. I know, some of you are saying “He never wanted LeBron with the Lakers in the first place!” That’s not true I always recognized the talent it just so happened he wasn’t my favorite player. Back to the subject at hand, let’s check out key factors. Age, LeBron will be 35 before next season is complete, Simmons will turn 23 in July.
Shooting, it’s clear LeBron
is a superior shooter from the floor. It’s
still a possibility Simmons could become a better shooter…. Magic Johnson
did. Rebounds, both are on the same level in my estimation. Assists,
a slight edge to Simmons in that department.
Intangibles, the basketball
stuff you can’t measure is clearly in favor of LeBron. Conclusion,
at present less Simmons the Sixers remain closer to winning an NBA championship
than the Lakers. As for adding Simmons
it would continue a pattern of building the team for the future. The advantage for the Lakers clearly is
superior to the possible negatives, I would do the deal in a heartbeat.
What do you want?
Maybe you read it too, I’m referring to the Adam Silver Yahoo Sports story on May 12. The commissioner was pointing to the future and the fact he believed the One and Done rule might be eliminated by the 2022 NBA draft. Then I begin to read letters on the article and was amazed. Keep in mind I didn’t read all of them however the majority seem opposed to a possible change. For years all we’ve been hearing is “The one and done rule is ruining college basketball.”
Maybe you read it too, I’m referring to the Adam Silver Yahoo Sports story on May 12. The commissioner was pointing to the future and the fact he believed the One and Done rule might be eliminated by the 2022 NBA draft. Then I begin to read letters on the article and was amazed. Keep in mind I didn’t read all of them however the majority seem opposed to a possible change. For years all we’ve been hearing is “The one and done rule is ruining college basketball.”
“They are not
physically prepared out of high school to play in the NBA” or “I have no problem with paying college
players” were just a few of the comments by readers. Allow a brief pause, now we’ll proceed
on. There are highly touted players who
remain in school four years and or not able to compete in the NBA, see Jimmer
Fredette. Do scouts and coaches miss the
boat on prospects, you bet they do, allowing high school athletes in the draft
will barely register. Years ago, we read
several strange and unusual stories why prospect A or prospect C was applying
for the draft, the one and done rule needs to be repealed.
