Basketball from a fan’s perspective
Not just one guy
The Knicks fired David Fizdale last week, he was not the only NBA coach on the hot seat. In Chicago it's Jim Boylen and in Cleveland there is grumbling about former college coach John Beilen. In the case of Beilen there appears to be a player revolt although no names are mentioned the interesting portion of the this story Beilen is 66-years old an age most begin thinking of retirement.
The Knicks fired David Fizdale last week, he was not the only NBA coach on the hot seat. In Chicago it's Jim Boylen and in Cleveland there is grumbling about former college coach John Beilen. In the case of Beilen there appears to be a player revolt although no names are mentioned the interesting portion of the this story Beilen is 66-years old an age most begin thinking of retirement.
Many questioned why
he left Michigan for the NBA Cavs. As
for Boylen he might be suffering the “Fizdale”, moving from assistant to head
coach in 2018. Has he been given
adequate time to fully implement his program?
We cannot answer that question however unless there is something, we cannot
see he like Beilein deserves time. On
the other hand, as Janet Jackson once sang, “What have you done for me lately.”
Chemistry
This is not the H2O variety; the reference is between that quarterback and wide receiver or tight end. In Kansas City we have quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his receivers Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. In this instance the trio mentioned have been together now going into their third season. There are other QB-receiver combos those come to mind because they play in Kansas City.
This is not the H2O variety; the reference is between that quarterback and wide receiver or tight end. In Kansas City we have quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his receivers Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. In this instance the trio mentioned have been together now going into their third season. There are other QB-receiver combos those come to mind because they play in Kansas City.
Chemistry that came
together rather quickly is that between LeBron James the facilitator and
Anthony Davis the receiver. Sure, they
probably worked out together prior to the season but that’s not the same as
game action. Watching the two is a thing
of beauty, we have witnessed several 70-foot bombs caught by AD while sprinting
down court. The result often has
resulted in a dunk or layup as the defense is usually behind AD trying to catch
the speedy power forward.
Pay the man…in this instance it’s more than money
Other than hiring the right guy as head coach the front office is just as important as who runs the franchise. Reports are circulating the Knicks are attempting lure basketball maven Masai Ujiri from the Raptors. Ujiri might desire the job but it’s the belief by a few the front office must be cleared out for the hire. Unconfirmed reports indicate there are in trenched persons that must be replaced before Ujiri is hired by the Knicks.
Other than hiring the right guy as head coach the front office is just as important as who runs the franchise. Reports are circulating the Knicks are attempting lure basketball maven Masai Ujiri from the Raptors. Ujiri might desire the job but it’s the belief by a few the front office must be cleared out for the hire. Unconfirmed reports indicate there are in trenched persons that must be replaced before Ujiri is hired by the Knicks.
That’s why this hire
would be more than just financial, there is only one other instance when owner
James Dolan relinquished authority. In
2008 Donnie Walsh took over the team as president of basketball operations to
clean house, he remained on the job until June 2011 when he resigned and took
on the role of advisor. Eventually he
would return to the Pacers organization.
As for Ujiri his bio contains several moves, in all instances the team’s
record improved while there. The Raptors
managed to win an NBA championship with Ujiri in the front office. This would appear to be a slam dunk hire if
Dolan is willing to sign Ujiri.
He’s believed to be that good
It’s rare for a high school player to be projected as an NBA player. Few have been in that number Wilt Chamberlain, Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) and LeBron James. Those are the only names that come to mind, there might have been others those are the names that come to mind. Oscar Robertson might be in that number too although no mention could be uncovered. We cannot include Michael Jordan because few might realize he was once cut from his high school team.
It’s rare for a high school player to be projected as an NBA player. Few have been in that number Wilt Chamberlain, Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) and LeBron James. Those are the only names that come to mind, there might have been others those are the names that come to mind. Oscar Robertson might be in that number too although no mention could be uncovered. We cannot include Michael Jordan because few might realize he was once cut from his high school team.
For this purpose, the names Moses Malone, Kevin Garnett and
Kobe Bryant are excluded, all three graduated from high school and were drafted
in the ABA/NBA. As for the present age
we are adding Emoni Bates name to the list.
Bates is only 15-years old and a sophomore in high school, despite his
youth the 6-foot 9-inch 200-pound forward is already a 5-star prospect and the
number one prospect in the Class of 2022.
Emoni is enrolled at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti Michigan and his
basketball growth in game and stature is simply amazing.
His dad played at the Division II level and later professionally
overseas; dad began training his son at the tender age of three years. It’s reported Emoni was matched against high
school players when he was in the 4th grade, in the 7th
grade when he stood 6 foot 6 inches Bates averaged 46 points a game. Many unnamed sources in the NBA claim he will
be the top pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
They base this on the fact the NBA will have done away with the high
school age restriction by then, remember the name Emoni Bates.
