Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Where is Carmen Sandiego Carmelo Anthony? 
Inquiring minds want to know where in the world is Carmelo Anthony?  Since his trade and release he’s become the invisible man.  He just turned 34-years of age but could provide a team help.  He couldn’t do it as a starter those days are long gone. The one job he could easily obtain it appears he doesn’t want…. reserve player.  It would be a shame for Anthony to leave the NBA under such circumstances.  I can’t be him, but I imagine after 15 or so years being at the top its difficult to play a reduced role.

This is different
Athletes transfer from schools so often it barely registers, usually the transfer occurs after the student-athlete is enrolled and may have played a semester.  How about requesting your release prior to your arrival?  That’s what occurred to Duke and their incoming combo guard ”Boogie” Ellis.  He signed last November, and no one assumed a request of this type would arrive so very early.  It’s likely he will not be required to drop any courses because he probably never signed up for any. 

Fishing
I’m no fisherman so I could be corrected on the following.  The Mizzou fan website indicates Cuonzo Martin and crew have made offers to 16 athletes in the Class of 2020 one from the Class of 2021 and one from 2022.  I’ve been led to believe you toss out your nets in a certain manner it allows you to catch more fish than usual.  Well Mizzou is not attempting to catch fish rather high school prospects the coach believes could play Division I basketball successfully.

Mizzou will not be able to attract all 18, they might be fortunate in signing 3 to 5.  That number would be enough provided they are talented as perceived to keep the program rolling effectively.  Mizzou basketball under coach Martin is hoping to move into Big Boy territory.  One of the prospects is from the Memphis area, Penny Hardaway now at Memphis appears to consider the metro his alone.  I guess we could make the same statement about Cuonzo Martin and Metro St. Louis in Missouri and Illinois.   

Your Top 50
Yardbarker.com compiled a list of it’s all time Top 50 college basketball players.  A couple of notes, several players were way before my time.  I had no opportunity to see them play and make a judgement on their ability.  As for others we tend to confuse the issue as an example Jimmer Fredette can earn a spot based on his exploits at BYU.  In his case and several others, we are not discussing their professional record it’s strictly college.  At the top of the list they placed Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar).  I cannot think of one player other than Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell who caused the game to change its rules, that was Alcindor. 

In Alcindor’s day NCAA schools had two teams a freshman team and varsity comprised of sophomores, juniors and seniors.  Alcindor’s numbers several others of that era only reflect three seasons.  After an outstanding sophomore year as he led UCLA to an undefeated season the NCAA banned the dunk shot. It would be years later and by then Alcindor had become Kareem Abdul Jabbar and in the NBA when the rule was changed.  Yardbarker placed Rick Barry in second place, he played for the University of Miami and averaged nearly 30 points and 17 rebounds a game for the Hurricanes his three varsity seasons.  Several players I might have rated higher and others lower however its their list not mine.  Check it out it’s dated December 17, 2018.