Basketball from a
fan’s perspective
Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
Aircraft Carrier
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale has been known to refer to 7-foot players as “aircraft carriers.” Many are aware aircraft carriers are the largest ships in the world’s navies. That’s likely the basis for the Vitale comment regarding Big Men. Mizzou received a commitment from an aircraft carrier on Saturday. Jordan Wilmore becomes the first 2020 commitment for coach Cuonzo Martin and Mizzou.
Wilmore a 7-foot 3-inch 250-pound center is likely on his way to COMO next fall. His home is Baltimore and he'd attended Mt Zion Prep in Lanham Maryland. Wilmore is now enrolled at the Skill Factory, a prep school in the Atlanta Georgia metro. The question is always raised can he play, we have no idea however we trust the coach and the staff at Mizzou.
Generally Big Men have a more difficult adjustment to college ball. There is video of Wilmore in action on YouTube, in addition 247Sports.com rates Wilmore a 3-star prospect. The Wednesday edition will contain news regarding 5-star point guard Caleb Love. He must decide between North Carolina and Mizzou, it will be a surprise to me if he signs with Mizzou.
Whoa
Could it be, no surly not but maybe. TMZ is reporting Nike is reported to be looking toward signing LaMelo Ball to a contract. LaVar Ball must give his permission, the youngest son is 18-years old unable to sign a contract on his own. Similar to his older brother he might desire to break free from his father's shadow however legally that's not possible for now. Another Ball in the Family drama to follow in the future.
Could it be, no surly not but maybe. TMZ is reporting Nike is reported to be looking toward signing LaMelo Ball to a contract. LaVar Ball must give his permission, the youngest son is 18-years old unable to sign a contract on his own. Similar to his older brother he might desire to break free from his father's shadow however legally that's not possible for now. Another Ball in the Family drama to follow in the future.
Our first look
This upcoming Wednesday (or Thursday depending on your world location) we’ll see the revamped Houston Rockets in action. The Rockets will be matched against the Shanghai Sharks in China. It’s the first game however many of us are anxious to see the constructed back court of Harden-Westbrook. As for me you know my saying, “I’m from Missouri you’ve got to show me.” One game especially an exhibition fails to make a season for this combo, a portion of this observation will be reserved for the season.
This upcoming Wednesday (or Thursday depending on your world location) we’ll see the revamped Houston Rockets in action. The Rockets will be matched against the Shanghai Sharks in China. It’s the first game however many of us are anxious to see the constructed back court of Harden-Westbrook. As for me you know my saying, “I’m from Missouri you’ve got to show me.” One game especially an exhibition fails to make a season for this combo, a portion of this observation will be reserved for the season.
James Harden asked how he and Russell Westbrook
would team up, “We’ll figure it out” was the response. The Rockets back court teammates have the
season to work on the issue, it should prove interesting. Two ball dominant players who must have the
ball in their hands. Don’t misunderstand
the intent, both have been among the league leaders in assists with the Rockets
and Thunder. There is no disputing the
fact they both want to win, the question can they “figure it out.”
International prospects
I’ll repeat the position often taken by most of us. Unless we scout extensively in Europe or the Middle East it’s difficult for us to see let alone judge if international prospects are legitimate. How about a couple of examples, Kristaps Porzingis flew beneath the radar for most of us in the U.S.? A few years later it was quite different for Luka Doncic, it seems most of us who follow mock draft sites were familiar with his name although we might have been unsure if he possessed quality NBA talent.
Below is an introduction of names you might hear announced in the 2020 NBA draft. The first name is Deni Avdija, he’s a 6-foot 8-inch 210-pound small forward. Avdija is an 18-year old Israeli who plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv. The question if he can play at the NBA level will not be decided by us, it will be up to scouts, general managers and others with that decision. Once again, the disclaimer, mock draft sites offer no proof of an NBA team’s intent or the legitimacy of a prospect. We can look at nbadraft.net and nbadraftroom.com as our source, both project Advija as a lottery pick.
I’ll repeat the position often taken by most of us. Unless we scout extensively in Europe or the Middle East it’s difficult for us to see let alone judge if international prospects are legitimate. How about a couple of examples, Kristaps Porzingis flew beneath the radar for most of us in the U.S.? A few years later it was quite different for Luka Doncic, it seems most of us who follow mock draft sites were familiar with his name although we might have been unsure if he possessed quality NBA talent.
Below is an introduction of names you might hear announced in the 2020 NBA draft. The first name is Deni Avdija, he’s a 6-foot 8-inch 210-pound small forward. Avdija is an 18-year old Israeli who plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv. The question if he can play at the NBA level will not be decided by us, it will be up to scouts, general managers and others with that decision. Once again, the disclaimer, mock draft sites offer no proof of an NBA team’s intent or the legitimacy of a prospect. We can look at nbadraft.net and nbadraftroom.com as our source, both project Advija as a lottery pick.
Left the building seeing
no action
Nothing unusual about an athlete football or basketball leaving a program. What is unusual is the athlete leaving without ever seeing any action. That is the case for freshman point guard Issac McBride, he’s decided the basketball program at Kansas is not a good fit for him. This 4-star prospect indicates he’s going to pursue basketball at another school.
Nothing unusual about an athlete football or basketball leaving a program. What is unusual is the athlete leaving without ever seeing any action. That is the case for freshman point guard Issac McBride, he’s decided the basketball program at Kansas is not a good fit for him. This 4-star prospect indicates he’s going to pursue basketball at another school.
In all honesty we have no clue regarding
his ability, because its Kansas basketball we must believe the coaching staff
must have believed McBride had a modicum of talent. UPDATE:
After this account was completed Kansas basketball received notice of
NCAA violations. It’s all speculation at
this point, might McBride be concerned about his future? Kansas prospects could be seriously impacted
by future penalties, just a thought.
