Basketball from a fan’s perspective

NBA draft 2022

There is an overt attempt on my part to refrain from entertaining predictions.  The reason is simple, most of the time our view of the future often is one of “I think.”  That is the case regarding Emoni Bates the 6-9 inch All-Everything high school sophomore from Ypsilanti Michigan.  It’s been stated on more than one occasion Bates will be the first high school player drafted in the NBA since the 2004-05 season. 

2022 he will become draft eligible should the NBA repeal its age 18 and 1-year after high school graduation rule.  What should occur in case the rule remains in effect?  I’m glad you ask the question because I believe I have the answer, repeal or not this is what I believe will occur.  Bates will skip college and head immediately for a professional career.  At this point we have no cue, it could be Australia, Europe or the G-League.    

The college G.O.A.T. is_______

Most of us are now people, few of us look to the past when discussing sports.  Even fewer look further back and that’s the case here.  We’ve seen arguments who is the G.O.A.T. in the NBA, Jordan vs LeBron or Jordan vs Kobe on and on.  I had no desire to wade into this discussion until someone added, “Greatest College Player" and MJ’s name was mentioned which I believe is totally bogus in my opinion. 

Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) and MJ are even, MJ left North Carolina after his junior year, during the time Alcindor played freshman were not eligible his numbers only reflect 3 years.  We must consider the game back then and continues to remain a team game, were UCLA teams better or North Carolina that’s for you to decide.  Let’s compare the two players stats while at their respective schools.  

Lew Alcindor 3-time NCAA Champion

88 wins vs 2 losses at UCLA  

26.4 ppg 15.5 rebounds 64% FG

Michael Jordan NCAA Champion

88 wins vs 13 losses at North Carolina

17 ppg 5 rebounds 54% FG

The choice could have easily been Bill Russell, 3-time NCAA champion at USF or Wilt Chamberlain.  Chamberlain never won an NCAA championship, but his play was so dominant he made for rule changes in the game of basketball.  MJ is there but anyone calling him the G.O.A.T. in college basketball has an argument from me. 

Who recovers quickest?

The 2019-20 NBA season is not complete however this is a look ahead.  With the stoppage of play the Warriors, Cavs, Hawks, Knicks and Wolves have the worst won-loss records.  The lottery order’s not been decided however let’s explore those teams.  Of the teams mentioned drafting the best player plus recovery from injuries place the Warriors at the top.  Although they miss the playoffs the 2020-21 season could see them playoff bound.  Who do they draft, depends on the order and who is out there but let’s look at in this manner?  We’ll look at the Top 5 and how they may or may not be a good fit for the Warriors. 

Anthony Edward 6-5 SG Georgia

Obi Toppin 6-9 SF Dayton

James Wiseman 7-1 C Memphis

Onyeka Okongwu 6-9 PF/C USC

Deni Avdija 6-8 SF Israel

Most mock sites list LaMelo Ball in their Top 5 however there is a question.  It’s been reported (unconfirmed) the Warriors don’t like his jump shot.  As for the subject at hand any of those above could be drafted.  If one could be excluded at this stage it would be Wiseman. 

It’s easy now looking in the rear-view mirror  

This is a revisit of an old subject; Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin is feeling a bit of heat.  Two successive losing seasons, the AD, faculty and Mizzou Nation are concerned.  I wonder what might have occurred in the early days for coach K, he left the United States Military Academy at West Point for Duke in 1980.  His first three seasons at the helm the Blue Devils won 38 games and lost 47.  Good thing Duke waited to determine if he was going to be a successful coach. 

As for the struggles of Mizzou a portion of the blame belongs in the Athletic Directors office, allow me to explain.  Mike Anderson was hired to replace the departed Quin Snyder; Anderson did clean up the program and got Mizzou back on a winning track.  The only issue Anderson seemed to always be looking south toward Arkansas and the head coaching position.  Once he resigned and took the Arkansas job Frank Haith was hired and performed admirably until it was discovered there was “baggage” in his background.

Why a through background check was never accomplished there is no answer, Haith resigns, and former assistant Kim Anderson was hired to replace Haith.  Anderson successful at the Division-II level but was totally overmatched attempting to coach D-I.  Cuonzo Martin was hired after Anderson was fired.  As part of Mizzou Nation, I'm disappointed but believe the 2020-21 season will witness a return to competitive SEC play.  If it turns out Cuonzo is no "Coach K" Mizzou has no choice except to replace him.