Basketball from a fan’s perspective

High school report

This is different although it’s not set in stone yet.  We have long read reports indicating Ypsilanti Michigan’s Emoni Bates the top prospect in the Class of 2022 is headed for the NBA.  The report was based on the NBA repealing the one and done or age 18 by the time he’s a senior.  It’s being reported Bates might graduate a year early and play a year of college basketball.  This seems a wee bit strange however it’s his decision if this should come to fruition. 

Anytime a discussion is held on the top college basketball talent in the nation Southern Cal is usually not in the conversation, this time it’s different.  UCLA’s cross-town opponent managed to secure the Rivals number one prospect in the Class of 2020.  Evan Mobley is a 7-foot center and Rivals awards him 5-stars, at 205 pounds say it with me…weight room is required.  Mobley hails from Temecula California about 85 miles south and slightly east of Los Angeles.  Mobley's dad played professionally in Europe, his mom played in college.  In the 8th grade it was reported young Mobley stood 6 foot 4 inches.    

Depends on your age

If you believed I was harsh in my criticism of Cavs coach John Beilein consider these facts.  Beilien is 66-years old, he’s coached a great number of black athletes over the course of his career.  He could have gotten his point across with a better-chosen word.  On the other hand, longtime ESPN commentator Mike Wilbon said he’s near (61-year old black man) near Beilein’s age. 

On the Thursday edition of Pardon the Interruption he claimed to not be offended by the term Beilein used.  I certainly have no intention of picking a fight with Wilbon however I wonder.  Wonder if he considered Belien is managing a group of 20 and 30 somethings. Their view might carry more weight than a 60-year old.  I'm rocking this baby to sleep on this story, we shall see what might eventually develop.  

Lifetime ban

Bet you didn’t know there were 17 individuals who received lifetime bans by the NBA? It is what it indicates, these persons could never be a part of the NBA in any capacity.  They received the punishment due to drugs, gambling or some other sort of illegal activity.  Most names are likely unfamiliar to most of us, a small number died while they remained ban from the game.  The most recent names are O.J. Mayo and Tyrek Evans, they were banned after failing more than one drug test. 

Mayo was eligible for appeal in 2018 but has yet to appeal for reinstatement, Evans has until 2021 before he can appeal.  Five former players were banned but never appealed or return to action on the basketball court, all would be retired now.  Former Clippers owner Donald Sterling also earns a spot on the list, no requirement to detail why.  7 other former players received lifetime bans but were later re-instated.  The name most familiar to basketball historians is the late Connie Hawkins who’s been enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.   

OG

Former Celtic power forward Kevin McHale was kiddingly nicknamed “The Black Hole” by his teammates.  For those who might be unfamiliar with the term the following is a definition of a black hole, “A black hole is a region of spacetime exhibiting gravitational acceleration so strong that nothing—no particles or even electromagnetic radiation such as light—can escape from it.” Celtic teammates would say, “If you pass the ball to McHale, you’d never see it again.” 

Once McHale received the pass, he rarely passed the ball back out. McHale was made the third pick in the 1980 draft by the Celtics.  At the time the 6-10 McHale arrived he was the team's 6th man, eventually his talent led hit to become a starter and a good one.  McHale is one of those rare players who managed to play his entire year with the Celtics.  McHale has been enshrined in the College and Naismith Halls of Fame.     

The AD factors

Even novice basketball fans were familiar with the name Anthony Davis.  The Former Kentucky player led the Wildcats to their 2012 NCAA championship.  The freshman then left for the NBA; he was made the number one pick by the Hornets/Pelicans in 2012.  He arrived in the NBA as a 6-10 220-pound power forward/center, he now weighs 253 pounds.  Although he’d been a 6X NBA All Star and received several accolades this Laker fan can admit a fact. 

I didn’t know much about his NBA game; in fact, I might state I’d seen him play at Kentucky more than the NBA.  Part of the reason is the team; Pelican fans are going to hate me for saying this.  The team has not been must see basketball during Davis’s tenure, in fact they appear more entertaining to me now with Zion, Lonzo and Brandon.  AD has several nicknames some going back to his days at Kentucky.  I have one nickname I’d like to lay on him…smooth because it fits the play I’ve witnessed thus far.