Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
Published Monday, Wednesday and Friday
The best and the worst
Your view not mine, NBA on ClutchPoints ask the question “Who is the Best and Worst NBA Talking Head?” Your candidates are:
Jalen Rose ESPN
Shannon Sharpe Fox Sports
Max Kellerman ESPN
Stephen A. Smith ESPN
Rachel Nichols ESPN
Nick Wright Fox Sports
Colin Cowherd Fox Sports
Jalen Rose ESPN
Skip Bayless Fox Sports
Ramona Shelburne ESPN
Shannon Sharpe Fox Sports
Max Kellerman ESPN
Stephen A. Smith ESPN
Rachel Nichols ESPN
Nick Wright Fox Sports
Colin Cowherd Fox Sports
Jalen Rose ESPN
Skip Bayless Fox Sports
Ramona Shelburne ESPN
I added Rachel Nichols and Ramona
Shelburne because I believe there should be diversity in this list.
Early versus late
bloomer
Due to the age we live in LeBron James and Zion Williamson became “known” prior to the NBA. It was a different era however we could make the same assessment for Wilt Chamberlain and much later Lew Alcindor and Dr. J. Their presence on the basketball court marked them for future success, what about the late bloomers? Those athletes we had no idea they would be quite this successful. They often were recognized in college however in the NBA they may have excelled far beyond what might have been first perceived.
Due to the age we live in LeBron James and Zion Williamson became “known” prior to the NBA. It was a different era however we could make the same assessment for Wilt Chamberlain and much later Lew Alcindor and Dr. J. Their presence on the basketball court marked them for future success, what about the late bloomers? Those athletes we had no idea they would be quite this successful. They often were recognized in college however in the NBA they may have excelled far beyond what might have been first perceived.
We can count Steph Curry among the number,
how about adding Kawhi Leonard to the mix.
It was reported weeks ago Curry has a basketball camp for two- and
three-star high school kids like him. He
wants to teach them skills to enhance their game leading to college or even an
NBA career. We don’t know at this point
however Ja Morant appears to be a rising star as he bolted into the national
spotlight after his sophomore year at Murray State. Morant attended mid-major Murray State, Donovan
Mitchell was at perennial basketball powerhouse Louisville nevertheless he
surprised us all. The talent was there
all along, training and dedication to the game brought it to the surface and it
blossomed.
Is there a need?
Hunter Dickinson is a 7-foot 2 inch 260-pound center and he’s still in high school. He’s a 4-star Rivals prospect and number 28 in the Class of 2020. Dickinson will enter his senior year in August at DeMatha in Maryland. Currently there are 15 offers in front of him with the most recent being Tennessee. In addition, Maryland, Purdue, Kansas are just a few of those with scholarship offers on the table. The problem for Dickinson and others his size they attend college and get caught in the small ball/pick and roll game.
Hunter Dickinson is a 7-foot 2 inch 260-pound center and he’s still in high school. He’s a 4-star Rivals prospect and number 28 in the Class of 2020. Dickinson will enter his senior year in August at DeMatha in Maryland. Currently there are 15 offers in front of him with the most recent being Tennessee. In addition, Maryland, Purdue, Kansas are just a few of those with scholarship offers on the table. The problem for Dickinson and others his size they attend college and get caught in the small ball/pick and roll game.
There appears less and less interest by
coaching staffs for a center to play a back to the basket game. I’ve not seen this youngster in action so
there is no method to determine his skill level, perhaps he’s already adapted
to the 3-point line. If not my hope for
him and others of his size, they don’t get lost in the maze of small ball. As an example, by the time you read this
Tacko Fall will have made his debut for the Celtics Summer League team. The 7-foot 6-inch giant is probably not going
to earn a spot on the regular team, he’s not skilled enough for the game of
today. I question how many 7-foot players
might have been by-passed in the recent NBA draft.
Does he get a shot?
The CBS affiliate in Boston is checking out the Celtics roster, similar to the Lakers they have a final roster spot open too. Several fans are clamoring for the team to sign Tacko Fall, the chances remain somewhat slim however there is a possibility for these fans. The Celtics could sign Tacko then move him to the Maine Red Claws their G-League affiliate.
If this scenario fails to play out for Tacko its possible Europe might be calling for the 7-foot 6-inch giant. We suppose Celtic Nation would not be so enamored with Tacko except for his play in the summer league. I will fall back on a previous comment by a scout, “If this was 20 years ago there is no doubt he would have been drafted.” Although limited coaches would begin working with him to aid in the development of his skill. Former NBA player and coach Sam Mitchell expressed numerous positives about Tacko on NBA TV this summer.
The CBS affiliate in Boston is checking out the Celtics roster, similar to the Lakers they have a final roster spot open too. Several fans are clamoring for the team to sign Tacko Fall, the chances remain somewhat slim however there is a possibility for these fans. The Celtics could sign Tacko then move him to the Maine Red Claws their G-League affiliate.
If this scenario fails to play out for Tacko its possible Europe might be calling for the 7-foot 6-inch giant. We suppose Celtic Nation would not be so enamored with Tacko except for his play in the summer league. I will fall back on a previous comment by a scout, “If this was 20 years ago there is no doubt he would have been drafted.” Although limited coaches would begin working with him to aid in the development of his skill. Former NBA player and coach Sam Mitchell expressed numerous positives about Tacko on NBA TV this summer.
