Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Basketball from a fan’s perspective

If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.”   

Maya Angelou

King of New York
Technically the headline is incorrect; the Nets have a better won-loss record than the Knicks plus the fact their jerseys read: Brooklyn.  We are pointing to the Knicks and their playoff run the first in a long while (2012-2013).  The 1990 movie King of New York was about criminals and these Knicks are certainly not close to that lifestyle.  The change in their fortunes are quite evident they are the hottest team in the NBA led by do-everything forward Julius Randle. 

The last 10 games has witnessed him scoring at nearly 30 points a game while shooting a meteoric 44.3% from 3.  Randle is ably assisted by shooting guard RJ Barrett with his almost 18 points a game scoring.  This group of Knicks is led by coach Tom Thibodeau who preaches defense and apparently, they are listening.  Even injured LeBron James has taken note of the Knicks play recently.  Perhaps this is one of those rare occasions, Knicks owner James Dolan has signed off on the correct hire. The only issue at this point is the jerseys, I don’t like the new ones the Knicks are currently sporting. 

Say what?
The other day I came across this post on my social media feed, “How many of you have watched not one minute of NBA basketball this season?”  Naturally, plenty of folks weighed in on his post affirming his view.  My initial thought of the post, these persons and anyone else is certainly free to express their opinion, if they don’t like NBA basketball that’s okay.  To take this one step further I don’t pay a great deal of attention to professional soccer (football).    

Despite my view I recognize there are others who enjoy and follow the sport.  Soccer has a large fan base in Kansas City and the world for that matter.  I could post “How many of you have not watched one minute of soccer?”  That would be me but why trash a sport I don’t follow, what is the purpose of it?  We gravitate to the things we enjoy whether it be movies, television, theatrical plays or the NBA.  Friend your opinion is valuable to you however I can point out bunches of others who don’t agree with you.  Then again, what purpose would that serve?  I wonder if I should……Naw!

Where I sit, I am unable to see the future
Is he a rental or can they sign him long-term, the reference of course is Laker center Andre Drummond?  Because they must pay LeBron James, Anthony Davis and others do they    have the financial clout to pay Drummond as well?  Enter the second portion of our accounting story starting point guard Dennis Schroeder, he’s been at least two maybe three steps above the play of Danny Green last season however there is a BUT! 

It’s being reported the Lakers offered Schroeder a 4-year extension valued at $84 million which he turned down.  Laker owner Jeanie Buss has gone on record indicating she is willing for the team to exceed the salary cap, but the question remains by how much?  The reported asking price by Drummond is about $34 million for two years but is that amount adequate?  For now, we probably need to relax and allow the Schroeder-Drummond drama to be resolved this summer.  Where I sit, I am unable to see the future for either player, perhaps I need to relax and focus on the balance of the season and playoffs. 

Laker Nation this is different for me, as mentioned previously I try and avoid discussions related to finance for one simple reason, I believe most professional athletes are overpaid.  My hope if Drummond is not the future the Lakers attempt to acquire a quality center.  It’s my belief locating a valuable center is more critical than losing a Schroeder whom I really like.  On the other hand, my barber has a differing belief and he voiced it.  He claims you need a point guard (Schroeder) over Drummond, in a pinch a Gasol could play center backed up by Anthony Davis

Junior College
In this day it’s become more difficult to see junior college players impact play at the D-I level.  Off the top of my head the first name that comes to mind is Bob McAdoo.  McAdoo has been enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame but where did it begin?  McAdoo lacking the academic requirements enrolled at Vincennes University then a two-year junior college in 1969.  From there it was North Carolina and into the NBA for several teams. 

McAdoo was a 2-time NBA champion with the Lakers in 1982 and 1985.  We might also remember Steve Francis who managed to lead both San Jacinto and Allegheny into the National Junior College Tournament.  Francis would move onto the University of Maryland and later the NBA (1999) where he became nicknamed Stevie “Franchise” due to his prolific play.  The last example however not the only one is Heat forward Jimmy Butler.  His case is different, he was a late bloomer with few schools offering a scholarship.  He would attend Tyler Junior College in Tyler Texas and later Marquette University. 

In 2011 Butler became the 30th pick in the first round of the NBA draft and the balance of his story continues to evolve.  As for others what occurred, why did the talent of a McAdoo, Francis or Butler disappear from the junior college ranks?  Likely there is no single answer we just state 4-year school should remain vigilant regarding all the talent out there. Here we mention Malevy Leons from the Netherlands, he played at Mineral Area College in Park Hills Missouri.  His numbers are quite good but keep in mind they represent competition against junior college talent, Mizzou is scouting him. 

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