Basketball from a fan’s perspective

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The second shoe dropped
Lack of institutional control was the charge laid at the feet of NC State basketball in July.  The same accusation was been levied against the University of Kansas this week.  This charge might be forthcoming for several other schools across the nation.  We’ve heard the term for years, exactly what are the details?  These are not my words but those of the NCAA, “A lack of institutional control is found when the Committee on Infractions determines that major violations occurred and the institution failed to display:

Adequate compliance measure

Appropriate education on those compliance measures. 

Sufficient monitoring to ensure the compliance measures or followed.

Swift action upon learning of a violation.” 

The last sentence, swift action can and does vary.  Self-reporting by the institution has not always resulted in less punishment for the school.  Store this in your mind for any future action by the NCAA. 

He’s the other guy

It might have appeared the interest in Australian basketball revolved around LaMelo Ball.  That was true to an extent however there’s another 18-year old American, his name is RJ Hampton.  The status of Hampton is different over Ball, Hampton would have little if any difficulty gaining eligibility to play in college.  The questionable amateur status of Ball would have led to a great number of uncertainties, Hampton chose this path when he could have just as easily attended college.  

Hampton is also a sizeable point guard standing 6 foot 5 inches tall, as a reminder he will play for the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL.  Hampton’s game might not have been as spectacular as Ball however its certainly significant.  20 points, five rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocked shots as Hampton’s Breaker team was a loser.  We need to keep in mind NBA scouts were in attendance to scout Ball, but they were there for Hampton as well.  Just in case you had a question Ball is now listed as the number 4 prospect while Hampton is number 16 on the 2020 nbadraft.net mock site.     

Dinosaurs once roamed but they became extinct
Once upon a time in America we had super college basketball teams.  We can state with conviction the same teams battle for NCAA supremacy year after year but it’s different nowadays.  In this instance our focus centers on consecutive NCAA championships.  This was mentioned previously the game will never be dominated as the Wooden UCLA Bruins once achieved.  They won back to back in 1964 and 1965, from 1967 through 1973 they won every NCAA championship played.  There was one additional championship, that was 1975 Wooden’s last year coaching the team. 

Earlier Oklahoma A&M (Oklahoma State) won back to back in 1945 and 1946 then it was Kentucky in 1948 and 1949.  It was 1955 before a back to back champion was crowned again, Bill Russell’s San Francisco Dons won in 1955 and 1956.  1961 and 1962 witnessed the Cincinnati Bearcats winning back to back, it was the ‘90’s before another accomplished the feat.  The Duke Blue Devils won it all in ’91 and ’92, the drought lasted until 2006 when Florida won that year and the following.  Basketball dynasties once existed but no more, like dinosaurs they became extinct too.   

Top 10
Recently Bleacher Report scripted an account of the Top 10 centers in NBA history, this is my take on their list.  At number 8 they listed Moses Malone; it’s been my contention for several years the Kings would have never left Kansas City if they had been wise in the ABA dispersal draft.  The Kings with the opportunity chose guard Ron Boone rather than Malone. 

Boone was a good guard however who’s in the Hall of Fame Malone or Boone?  At number 5 they selected Wilt Chamberlain, at number 4 it was Bill Russell.  Two centers who set the standard for play at the position, the 4 and 5 best centers in NBA history.  I love me some Shaquille O’Neal but even I have trouble placing him at number 2.  They selected Kareem Abdul Jabbar number 1 and no argument from me with that choice.