Basketball from a fan perspective
Picture me still
confused
NBA
blackout rules remain unclear, here we sit in the middle of the nation. We cannot view Thunder or Nuggets games on
NBA TV. As for ESPN and TNT that is a
different matter the games are always available. I found a blackout map on the web and though
I do not agree it is understandable why Thunder games are not able to be viewed
in Kansas City. As for Denver that is
another matter, that city is 600 road miles from us, Oklahoma City is less than
400 miles. I am going to contact the NBA again for clarification, stay tuned.
The momentum continues….
Top
25 prospect Makur Maker created a sonic boom with his announcement this summer he
would be attending HBCU Howard University.
Several high-profile programs such as Kentucky, Memphis, others throughout
the nation were attempting to persuade 7-foot Maker to their program. Maker’s announcement may have influenced this
latest move, Friday Nojel Howard indicated he was transferring from Purdue to
attend Howard in the fall.
Howard’s
numbers are rather “pedestrian” however consider the fact he is got 104 Big 10
games under his belt. That would
indicate Howard provides an experienced presence; the only question is his eligibility. Would he be immediately eligible, as this is
written that question remains just that a question? Athletes transfer all the time this one is
significant in that he is leaving the Big 10 for the MEAC.
We are not there yet
Several
know the old kids’ tale on long auto trips, “Are we there yet” is the refrain
heard by parents often. As for the NBA Draft,
we are not there yet but close enough to speculate on a few picks. We are
guessing the Warriors receive the top pick based on their record. Given the choice between LaMelo Ball, James
Wiseman and Anthony Edwards who do the Warriors choose? For once I agree with LaVar Ball his son likely
could play anywhere Golden State is not that place, it has nothing to do with
talent it is a potential chemistry issue.
James
Wiseman is a conceivable budding talent, 7 feet tall runs like a gazelle with
shooting range. Next up is Anthony
Edwards a big (6-foot 5 225 pound) shooting guard, we also add the name of Deni
Advija, he is a 6-foot 8 inch small forward from Israel. Finally, we close with a relative unknown name,
Onyeka Okongwu small forward from USC.
With the projected talent available who do the Warriors choose, drum
roll please. Imagine Adam Silver’s
voice, “With the first pick in the 2020 NBA Draft the Golden State Warriors
pick _________.” You didn't really think I was going to make the pick for the Warriors did you?
The MPJ we missed!
Mizzou
Nation never saw the “real” Michael Porter Jr. in action, he arrived on campus
as the pre-eminent number one NBA draft choice for 2018. An injury curtailed his play at Mizzou, MPJ would
see in action in a total of 3 games averaging 10 points and 7 rebounds. Although his freshman season was impacted by
injury most in Mizzou Nation hoped he would return for his sophomore year but
that would not be the case. MPJ declared
for the 2018 NBA Draft, due to injury instead of being the top pick he lasted
until the 14th pick in the first round and chosen by the
Nuggets.
The Nuggets
had enough depth in the front court they could allow him to sit out the year,
the 2019-20 season would become his rookie year. Emerging from the bench MPJ exhibited much of
the promise Mizzou fans hoped to see but were never able to witness. The July restart witnessed MPJ inserted into the lineup as a
regular and boy has it worked out. Over
the course of the Nuggets last 3 games MPJ has scored 94 points and pulled down
39 rebounds, that averages out to 39 points and 13 rebounds a game. Can MPJ keep up this torrid pace, only time will tell?
