Basketball from a fan perspective
NBA Draft lottery
It is over now; we know the draft order of the top
14 NBA teams. We do not know the order
of picks however draft position through the first 14 picks is now established. Over the next few days NBA mock
sites will begin adjusting their choice of picks. This should move a number of players either
up or down on the list.
Wolves
Warriors
Hornets
Bulls
Cavs
Hawks
Pistons
Knicks
Wizards
Suns
Spurs
Kings
Pelicans
Celtics (gained through a trade)
Generally thought to be at the top of the heap are
Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball and Obi Topping. We could also include the name Killian Hayes
and Deni Avdija from Israel. For the
first time in recent memory there is no consensus number one pick, best guess as
this is written probably Anthony Edwards.
Between now and November 16 there will be a great deal of conversation and
candidates for the top pick. The Celtic
pick at 14 reminds us of the Laker pick that brought them Magic Johnson. Not the position but the fact the Celtics and
Lakers were playoff teams.
I should have been more specific
The other day when I mentioned I would cease commenting
on members of the sports media. It was
for a variety of reasons chief among them “becoming part of the story.” I should have been more specific and included
former athletes as well. Example, Paul
Pierce long-time Celtic and his comment.
“If the Lakers lose in the first round LeBron’s legacy will be
damaged.” Well that depends on your
camp, if you dislike LeBron you will sign off on the Pierce statement. If you side with LeBron, you might make a
derogatory statement about Pierce however I ain’t going there. Several reading this might remember the Pierce incident I speak of.
He is good, real good
Luka Doncic’s name came into our purvey during
the winter of 2018, many adopted a wait and see approach. Many individuals in this nation probably were
skeptical of a Euro player and his potential impact in the NBA. Doncic would become the runaway winner for Rookie
of the Year in 2019. The physical game
in the NBA wore him down during his first year however he ended the season
strong.
Doncic’s sophomore year has been even better as
he was named an NBA All Star, he’s led his Mavs team into the playoffs. Doncic set an NBA record with 42 points in
his first NBA playoff game eclipsing some exclusive company named George Mikan
and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. It certainly is
undetermined at this point if he can lead his Mavs over a tough Clipper team,
but he’s proven a point. Let us not lump
every Euro player into one bag, allow them to first play and then determine whether they can or cannot play at the NBA level.
Could it be
By the time you read this account the NBA Draft
Lottery will have occurred, the athlete profiled will not be a lottery pick
however it appears his position has improved depending on the website. It was mentioned previously Udoka Azubuike
would be a first round draft pick if this was 20 or more years ago.
We are in the age of small ball just check with the Rockets, Warriors, and others, Azubuike stands 7 feet tall and is a rock solid 270 pounds. Although Azubuike’s offensive game is limited he is a good rebounder and defender. One website indicates Azubuike would be the 38th pick in the second round, another says he will be number 55. Leave it to ESPN.com to confuse things, they claim Azubuike will be “A late first round pick.” Rest assured Jayhawk Nation will be thoroughly please if this scenario should come to fruition.
We are in the age of small ball just check with the Rockets, Warriors, and others, Azubuike stands 7 feet tall and is a rock solid 270 pounds. Although Azubuike’s offensive game is limited he is a good rebounder and defender. One website indicates Azubuike would be the 38th pick in the second round, another says he will be number 55. Leave it to ESPN.com to confuse things, they claim Azubuike will be “A late first round pick.” Rest assured Jayhawk Nation will be thoroughly please if this scenario should come to fruition.
From the “What if file”
You are building a new NBA team; you have an
opportunity to choose one of four players to form the mainstay of your team. Among the four you can choose either Michael
Jordan, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, or Magic Johnson. It should be of note Jordan, Bird and Johnson
are all in the Naismith Hall of Fame, Kobe will be enshrined in 2021.
It is not necessary to value them 1-4 just arranged in the best manner as you see fit, here goes. Assists-Magic with Bird and Jordan tied for second. Shooting a statistical tie between Jordan and Bird in first place with Kobe in second. Rebounds-too difficult and too close to call in my view. Best defender Jordan a clear winner here although either Kobe or Bird slide in at second, Intangible-three-way tie between Bird, Jordan, and Kobe. Nothing in the world scientific about this observation it is just an opinion. How about you list, who do you rank in order and why?
It is not necessary to value them 1-4 just arranged in the best manner as you see fit, here goes. Assists-Magic with Bird and Jordan tied for second. Shooting a statistical tie between Jordan and Bird in first place with Kobe in second. Rebounds-too difficult and too close to call in my view. Best defender Jordan a clear winner here although either Kobe or Bird slide in at second, Intangible-three-way tie between Bird, Jordan, and Kobe. Nothing in the world scientific about this observation it is just an opinion. How about you list, who do you rank in order and why?
