Basketball from a fan’s perspective

The earth is moving beneath our feet

Jonathan Kuminga is rated the number three prospect in the Class of 2020 by Rivals.com.  Duke, Kentucky, LSU, and others were on Kuminga’s list of school choices, this 6-foot 8 inch small forward decided instead to head for the G-League and a pro career.  As this is written we are unsure if Kuminga will be a member of the Elite Team.  “I see my potential as an NBA player, and with the G League, they'll help me a lot more than college," Kuminga told The Athletic. "They'll help me off and on the court and to reach my goal to be the No. 1 draft [pick] in 2021. The G League will help me more than how college was going to help me on being the player I want to be right now and going pro."”  Rest assured college coaches are not pleased with this continuing drip, drip, drip as high profile talent continue to go pro rather than one and done in college. 

*The Athletic

His name is likely missing 

You and your friends are discussing the best college coaches of the day.  The list is compiled, Coach K.’s name is mentioned so is John Calipari.  Others might name Roy Williams or Bill Self, oh do not forget Jay Wright.  There are several others we might add but few mention the name Mark Few.  We could venture a time zone issue; Gonzaga is in Washington Pacific Standard Time.  Gonzaga weeknight games begin at 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. on the east coast.  Depending on your work schedule you could be into REM sleep before the game is over. 

All that is needed is to check out the coaches won-loss record.  Few’s been head man at the school since 1999, in that time his Bulldog teams have won 599 games losing only 124 for a sparkling .828 winning percentage.  In the NCAA Tournament his teams have won 31 and lost 20, he is 45-5 in WCC Tournament.  Few has not won an NCAA Championship, perhaps that has been the reason most fans (outside of Gonzaga) would mention his name.  Despite this fact Few belongs in any conversation regarding the best active college coaches. 

Exit stage left, enter stage right

James Wiseman played few minutes for Penny Hardaway at Memphis.  You remember the story; the NCAA suspended the 7-foot prospect 12-games and Wiseman decided, he would leave school and enter the NBA Draft rather than sit out a suspension.  Likely Wiseman was going to be a one and done commit anyway.  Memphis did not see much of him in action so exit stage left for Wiseman and enter stage right Moussa Cisse.  Cisse’s measurements are almost comparable to those of Wiseman, 7 feet tall 210 pounds.  He is a Rivals 5-star prospect and the number 13 prospect in the Class of 2020.  Memphis basketball should continue to play exciting and winning basketball under Coach Penny.

It is not even close   

Michael Jordan’s been retired since 2003, despite this fact his $130 million shoe earnings exceed those of LeBron James in second place with $32 million annually in sales.  As for the others 3 through 10 are listed below:     

Kevin Durant $25 million

Steph Curry $20 million

Kobe Bryant $16 million

Zion Williamson $15 million

James Harden $14 million

Dwyane Wade $12 million

Russell Westbrook $12 million

Kyrie Irving $11 million

*thesource.com Feb 26, 2020

How to….
Be informative in describing the game but do not talk too much.  I do not have the answer however the shorten version of this account is the role of a basketball television analyst.  They are hired due to their expertise and ability to communicate the game to the viewer.  It has always been my belief a radio analyst requires far more verbal skills than video, it is obvious the picture.  You might not see the nuances of the game however an untrained eye can see the shot or the pass, blocked shot or TO.  It was said the late Chick Hearn simulcasting Laker games on radio and television was much more descriptive than required for television. 

It was done on purpose the action on the court had to be communicated to those in his audience listening on radio.  We have reached a stage now especially with television, the picture quality is so clear and concise we now see plays our grandfathers and fathers never witnessed.  I believe it is important for that analyst to highlight areas which they believe are critical for the viewer.  At the same time, its unimportant to talk incessantly as Jeff Van Gundy often does during games.  Do not get me wrong, I have no doubt of Van Gundy’s basketball knowledge.  For me it appears he often is on a tangent which usually has nothing to do with the game in front of us.  Now you ask, could I perform the role of an analyst?  Currently no, with training and coaching an emphatic yes.