Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
Laker brain trust
Who is in charge might be the question? After Magic Johnson abruptly quit and then went on ESPN blasting the organization Laker Nation had questions. With the draft and free agency pending it appeared the word dysfunction clearly reflected the Laker front office. After acquiring Anthony Davis, the team had no draft picks but swung a trade for a second-round shooting guard. Then July and free agent time, all signs pointed to the Lakers in the driver’s seat to acquire Kawhi Leonard.
Unbeknownst to the Lakers Kawhi was
“recruiting” Paul George while planning on meeting with the Lakers. It's apparent the Lakers had a Plan B in
place, it should be of note how quickly they signed much of the roster after
Kawhi Leonard said NO to them. Is the Laker brain trust Kurt and Linda
Rambis, Rob Pelinka or maybe owner Jeanie Buss calling the shots? Except for Boogie Cousins, most of these free
agent acquisitions occurred over a 48-hour period after Kawhi announced his
decision. Has the apparent front office confusion at the
end of the season been resolved? Again,
a question remaining unanswered for now.
Who’s he?
His name, Ochai Agbaji and he’s a shooting guard for the Kansas Jayhawks. This sophomore attended Oak Park High School in Kansas City; he certainly might be referred to as a late bloomer. Agbaji was a Rivals 3-star prospect in the Class of 2018 and so was the Warriors Steph Curry in 2006. Kansas had Agbaji on their radar however there were few others. Once he arrived on campus the 6-foot 4-inch 200-pound shooting guard was intended to redshirt during his freshman season. Kansas struggled early in the 2018-19 season causing coach Self to exchange Agbaji’s redshirt for a crimson and blue jersey.
His name, Ochai Agbaji and he’s a shooting guard for the Kansas Jayhawks. This sophomore attended Oak Park High School in Kansas City; he certainly might be referred to as a late bloomer. Agbaji was a Rivals 3-star prospect in the Class of 2018 and so was the Warriors Steph Curry in 2006. Kansas had Agbaji on their radar however there were few others. Once he arrived on campus the 6-foot 4-inch 200-pound shooting guard was intended to redshirt during his freshman season. Kansas struggled early in the 2018-19 season causing coach Self to exchange Agbaji’s redshirt for a crimson and blue jersey.
Agbaji had an up and
down freshman performance however he proved he was talented. At the end of the season as various roster
members contemplated leaving for the NBA Agbaji remained in place. If the mock sites are correct, he might have
difficulty in 2020 saying no, three sites list him as a draft prospect. One places him number 7 in the first round
while the other pegs him as the 26th pick and the third has him the
43rd pick in the second round.
The disclaimer says this is no prediction of future NBA success it does
state this, talent can present itself
even though it might be late blooming.
All is Love and
Roses…. For now
The Clippers might eclipse the Lakers as Kings of Los Angeles. The Sixers might emerge as the Beast of the East as many believe plus will Kyrie Irving blossom now that he’s had the opportunity to choose his team. Those are just a few of the accounts that could play out in the 2019-20 NBA season but not the most intriguing. The most interesting to this writer is the Westbrook-Hardin back court in Houston.
The Clippers might eclipse the Lakers as Kings of Los Angeles. The Sixers might emerge as the Beast of the East as many believe plus will Kyrie Irving blossom now that he’s had the opportunity to choose his team. Those are just a few of the accounts that could play out in the 2019-20 NBA season but not the most intriguing. The most interesting to this writer is the Westbrook-Hardin back court in Houston.
Despite the apparent friendship in the State Farm commercials at the end Chris Paul and James Hardin had
fallen out completely. A similar
situation existed in OKC; Russell Westbrook wanted out as well. Hardin welcomes Westbrook to the Rockets, all
is love and roses…. now. Can two ball
dominate guards share one basketball?
There is no attempt to place a negative spin on the story it appears on paper
neither team really benefited from this landmark trade.
Knick fans are fed
up
These fans might adopt the State of Missouri’s motto; Show Me, they are fed up reading and hearing reports, they continue to read and hear “The team will be better.” That just might be the case for the 2019-20 NBA season, at the top the coach David Fizdale might have assembled a major portion of “his” roster. If we look at the potential starters the oldest is 24-year old newly acquired Julius Randle. We have two who are age 19 and two 21 years old, you know what that entails. Young Knick players making mistakes during crucial periods but learning and growing NBA experience.
These fans might adopt the State of Missouri’s motto; Show Me, they are fed up reading and hearing reports, they continue to read and hear “The team will be better.” That just might be the case for the 2019-20 NBA season, at the top the coach David Fizdale might have assembled a major portion of “his” roster. If we look at the potential starters the oldest is 24-year old newly acquired Julius Randle. We have two who are age 19 and two 21 years old, you know what that entails. Young Knick players making mistakes during crucial periods but learning and growing NBA experience.
Behind these
starters is veterans Taj Gibson who just turned 34 in June plus Reggie
Bullock. Only one other player on the roster is over the age of 31 so youth must be served. The Spurs pulled their offer to
Marcus Morris and he will sign with the Knicks.
There is talent at the point with Dennis Smith Jr, the same could be
said for Randle at power forward. The
balance of starters and reserves has the Knicks with perhaps the youngest roster
in the NBA. They say, “Patience is a
virtue” and fans of the Knicks certainly have been patient. Major injuries not withstanding fans should see an improvement in play (I hope).
