Basketball from a fan’s perspective

The landscape has changed     

Pandemic aside perhaps this has been one of the most interesting years for high school basketball in history.  In 2019 high school players LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton chose Australia and a professional basketball start over college.  Both are projected picks in the 2020 NBA Draft.  Spring news witnessed the signing of high school talent Kai Sotto, Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd, and Daishex Nix to G-League contracts.  These young men decided in favor of a pro start in the fall rather than college. 

Unlike Ball and Hampton no requirement to head overseas for this group of athletes.  More recently Emoni Bates the top prospective talent in 2023 announced he was headed to Michigan State rather than the G-League or overseas.  There remain questions if this decision is final, we will see in two years.  Just last week Big Man Makur Maker turned down UCLA, Kentucky, and several others for Howard University in Washington D.C.  Maker becomes the first top 10 prospect to commit to an HBCU school in 20 years is the report.   

“Danger, danger Will Robinson”

This is not a Lost in Space episode rather an NBA report.  The danger, everybody and their brother except Stephen A. Smith is picking the Clippers or somebody else to win it all?  The Lakers, they are clearly running behind the curve according to most accounts.  It is not only the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George combo the Clipper bench is considered superior to the Lakers.  All predict Doom and Gloom for the Lakers except Stephen A. Smith and that is the danger. 

Mr. Smith is certainly full of opinions (as most of us are), the huge difference, none of us are on television.  As the number one Laker fan in Kansas City naturally I desire them to win an NBA Championship.  If for some reason this is not accomplished this season disappointment will reign supreme for me.  The difference, life goes on, please do not consider this a concession on my part.  I remain steadfast in my hope the Lakers win the 2019-20 NBA Championship. 

Decision time

The Pacers Victor Olidapo indicates he is not going to play at the time the NBA “second season” starts.  We also learn Bradley Beal intends to follow suit, these two become the latest in the NBA to indicate he will not be in Orlando.  As I have stated previously there will be additional names added to the list players, coaches, and front office personnel.  The individuals might not have concerned for themselves however we have no idea of family dynamics.  They might have a wife or significant other, children and family members who might suffer from underlying health issues.  Better to remain at home over taking a chance on infecting a family member. 

Interesting  

I only read the headline however it poses an interesting question for us.  A writer indicated with the new rules in place Emoni Bates can earn a great deal of money as an amateur athlete.  “College athletes could earn money from the use of their name, image and likeness under a narrow NCAA proposal unveiled.”  This new rule allowing NCAA athletes to acquire income from their name, image or likeness is quite interesting. 

The future for Bates and other athletes is financial gain, does not matter if they are in school for one, two or three years.  As for Bates we presented the question earlier we are unsure if he enrolls at Michigan State however if he does, he could become one of the richest freshmen in history not connected to his family.  His earning power would be his alone, that is an interesting concept you agree.