Basketball from a fan’s perspective

A funny thing happened on the way to the NBA

We read a while back high school talent Emoni Bates would be the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.  The 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year has two years remaining at Ypsilanti’s (MI) Lincoln High School, earlier experts indicated by 2022 the NBA will have repealed its age 18/1-year from graduation rule.  Well no move occurred, i.e. repeal of the NBA rule however Bates decided to make a move. 

On Monday this soon to be high school junior verbally committed to attend Michigan State.  We can see in our mine’s eye Coach Tom Izzo smiling from ear to ear with the Monday news.  There is no guarantee he follows through on this announcement.  This pledge by Bates is verbal and he certainly has time to change his mind over the next two years.   

No real surprise

In a move we expected to occur the Lakers signed JR Smith through the balance of the season.  After Avery Bradley indicated he would not return the team decided a roster move was required.  We now have a question; can the offense of Dion Waiters plus JR Smith compensate for the loss on the defensive side of the court for both?  How does Alex Caruso along with Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope fit in this picture?  Those questions and others will be answered beginning July 30.   

Social Conscience

Fox News host Laura Ingraham has become famous in a manner she probably didn't see coming.  In 2018 LeBron James and Kevin Durant chose to address racial and social issues and the statements must have concerned Ingraham.  On her nightly Fox program, The Ingraham Angle Ingraham said infamously “Basketball stars should just shut up and dribble.”  Her bio indicates she is 57 years old, old enough to read or hear of athletes of another generation address racial and social issues.   

NBA legends Bill Russell is 86 years old; Oscar Robertson is 81, both were active while playing basketball in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s.  Perhaps it was the period both were active players in the NBA or something else.  These two and others addressed social and racial issues.  It does not matter if you agree with the stance taken by athletes, they still have the right to voice their opinions regarding a subject. 

We express opinions daily on a variety of subjects some we have direct knowledge while others it is just an opinion.  The prevailing belief by Ingraham and a host of other athletes should play the game only.  They are not entitled to express their opinion on any manner unrelated to the sport they participate in.  Ms. Ingraham is tardy to the party, athletes especially several black athletes have been quite vocal in the past regarding a variety of subjects. 

33’s

How about these jersey number 33’s in college, there is no point who wore it best in college the answer is evident? 

Lew Alcindor UCLA

Shaquille O’Neal LSU

Patrick Ewing Georgetown

Larry Bird Indiana State

Antwan Jamison North Carolina

Marcus Smart Oklahoma State

Magic Johnson Michigan State

Grant Hill Duke

Scottie Pippen Central Arkansas

Travis Grant Kentucky State

Earl Monroe Winston Salem

Alonzo Mourning Georgetown

David Thompson North Carolina State

This list is certainly not complete however the 33’s certainly experienced outstanding collegiate years.  If several names are unfamiliar to you feel free to check their numbers on basketballreference.com or other sources.