Basketball from a fan’s perspective
A change
Ric Bucher covered the NBA for ESPN; he now works for
SiriusXM NBA Radio. In the middle of the
NBA season there were reports circulating the Warriors were uninterested in
James Wiseman. Wiseman is the 7-foot
center the NCAA practically forced to leave Memphis over a “pay or no
play.” The NCAA wanted his family to pay
a charity $1,000 due to an impropriety they believe occurred.
We pick up today’s Wiseman account, according to Bucher the
thought process has changed with Dub Nation.
They now intend to draft Wiseman should he be available when it’s their
turn in the 2020 NBA Draft. Some fan
emailed the story claiming “He’s (Wiseman) has only played 3 games.” Another reminded him several athletes have
arrived in the NBA with little playing time.
Might Wiseman be considered raw…no doubt but given time who knows.
Is there a place in
today’s game?
Mizzou has three new players arriving on campus in the fall,
the one with the most unknown potential might be Jordan Wilmore. Wilmore stands 7 feet 3 inches and weighs
nearly 300 pounds. If this were 10 years
or more ago, a program would be salivating at the potential of a giant becoming
part of your basketball program. This is
2020 not 1960 the game has changed but is it for the better? This is not your
father’s basketball game; it’s become a game that places the emphasis on the 3-point
shot.
It’s likely Wilmore will not play major minutes as a
freshman unless he distinguishes himself in practice. None of these giants will cause us to forget
Wilt, Kareem or Shaq, at the same time it’s too bad coaches are unwilling (or
unable) to adapt their offense and defense to the talent at hand. Across the state line in Kansas we have
senior Udoka Azubuikie, an NBA scout stated, “It this was 10 years ago Azibuike
would be a lottery pick.” Most mock
sights place the Kansas Big Man as a late first round or early second round
pick. In closing we ask the question from
the beginning, is there a place in today’s game for the Big Man?
Touché
The NCAA has taken the first step in its undeclared war with
the NBA. A subcommittee of the body has
suggested athletes be allowed to profit from endorsements. They cannot include revenue from school apparel,
or anything connected with school markings.
In addition, the athletes would be able to hire an agent to aid them in
marketing opportunities. Thus, begins a
first step to allow athletes to earn income attached to their prominence. This proposal is in the elementary stage and
there is no time noted for it to go into effect. In addition, there might be revisions prior
to the final amendment being implemented.
NBA championship…not
this time
The 1976-77 Sixers were an NBA power that season, they ran
roughshod over the NBA until they faced the Blazers in the finals. The
firepower on this team was outstanding, Dr. J. on one wing and George McGinnis
on the other. Caldwell Jones was the center while Doug Collins was the shooting
guard and Henry Bibby at the point. From the Sixer bench came Joe Bryant
(Kobe’s dad) along with Darryl (Chocolate Thunder) Dawkins and sharpshooter
World B. Free.
There were other members of this vaulted team however the
names mentioned were keys to the success of that Sixer team. The Sixers 50-32
record secured 1st place in the Atlantic Division; the Blazers
finished the season in 2nd place in the Pacific Division with a 49-33
record. These teams would face one another for the 1977 NBA championship. Betting odds are based on the here and now, I was unable to locate any history. I have got to believe the firepower of the Sixers must have made them the overwhelming favorite to win the series.
There was only one problem as Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich would
state some years later in another championship series, “Never underestimate the
heart of a champion.” The Blazers had a
healthy Bill Walton at center, Maurice Lucas was the power forward. The balance
of the Blazer roster was made up of “Rodney Dangerfield” guys, you know the ones
who don’t get no respect. The Blazers would win the 1977 championship 4 games
to 2, someone forgot to inform the Blazers they were not supposed to win this
series.
