Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Of course he starts

At the press conference for Andre Drummond, a reporter ask, “Are you prepared to be a starter?”  His response was expected, “I’m just here to help” or similar words.  We are not privy to the coaches meeting but much of Laker Nation expect Drummond to start tonight.  If the Lakers faced a team other than the Bucks, he might not play but he needs to be fitted into the lineup as soon as possible. 

Marc Gasol’s game has slowed greater than most of us realized, he’s always been “earth-bound”, but his scoring (4.8) and rebounding (3.9) have become infinitesimal.  Gasol’s passing skills remain the only stable part of his game that remains.  As for Drummond his field goal percentage 47.4 is the lowest of his career as for the other numbers, 17.5 ppg along with 13.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists.  Drummond has not played much over the past few weeks as the Cavs attempted to secure a trade prior to his eventual buyout.   

Could he head to Mizzou?

4-star prospect Tamar Bates left Piper HS in Kansas City Kansas for IMG Academy in Florida.  Although he’s a local youngster not much was written due to his early letter of intent to attend Texas.  Shaka Smart is no longer in Austin, he is on his way to Marquette and based on this change Bates has requested a release from his letter.  Although not released Mizzou and Marquette have reached out to him with an offer.  Does he follow Smart to Marquette, he’d committed to Texas based on Smart being his coach.  Prior to his LOI there were several other schools with offers for the 6-4 175-pound combo guard.   

The best center in the NBA 

Who is the best center in the NBA, there might be some debate however it’s my belief I have the answer?  I will provide you a several hints, he is a foreign-born player.  Although he’s 7 feet tall he’s got exceptional 3-point range, in addition he can rebound the basketball.  Did I provide enough hints, or do you give up?  If you thought I was going to say Joel Embiid who is a close second. 

The best center in the NBA is from Serbia and he’s been nicknamed the Joker, his name is Nikola Jokic.  In 2014 the Nuggets made him the 41^st pick in the SECOND round, it’s utterly amazing drafted that low and he is now a three-time NBA All Star.  Jokic is the best passing center in the NBA and the only close comparison to him would be Embiid.  I believe I might have stirred up a hornet's nest with my analysis, what do you think?  Is it Team Embiid or Team Jokic vying for the best center in the NBA?   

The 2021 NBA draft

Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga will likely be lottery picks in the 2021 NBA draft, both have come a distance since their high school graduation.  Green and Kuminga were headed to college or overseas before the NBA came calling…well it wasn’t exactly the NBA it was the G-League.  The NBA equivalent of the “minors” began reaching out to talented high school players they believed had pro written behind their name. 

With the lure of pay and the opportunity to begin a pro career Green and Kuminga decided in favor of playing for Team Ignite.  Green a 6-foot 6-inch shooting guard and Kuminga a 6-foot 8-inch small forward now discover their names listed on several mock draft sites.  Matched against G-League veterans has proven beneficial to both, the competition each faced was superior to what they might have faced in college.  If only two players emerge from this initial roster of Team Ignite, we must consider this endeavor a success.  Our guess at this point Green and Kuminga will be replaced by other high school players desiring to jump start their NBA careers. 

1976

That was the last year an NCAA undefeated champion was crowned, the Hoosiers of Indiana finished with the championship and a 32-0 record.  There have been others although not a large number, UCLA during the Alcindor-Walton era had two, 71-72 and 72-73 both years they finished 30-0, in the 1963-64 season UCLA also completed a perfect season 30-0.  Earlier there were two other perfect teams, the 1956-57 North Carolina team which beat Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain.  The first to play a perfect season was Bill Russell’s 1955-56 San Francisco Dons. 

Where am I going with this story, as this is written Gonzaga is 28-0.  The question can they accomplish the same feat as the others?  The 2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats were undefeated in the regular season and into the NCAA Tournament.  They were 38-0 when they faced the Wisconsin Badgers, they would lose in the semi-finals and finish the season 38-1.  They were not undefeated, but the 1970-71 Southern Cal Trojans finished the season 24-2 and remained at home.  This was prior to post-season tournaments and NCAA expansion of teams.  The Trojans lost their two games versus UCLA and the NIT didn’t extend an invitation.