Basketball from a fan’s perspective

“If there is no struggle there is no progress” Frederick Douglass

He’s a Zag

His decision is final, center Chet Holmgren the number one prospect in the Class of 2021 is headed to Gonzaga to play for coach Mark Few.  Among the schools Holmgren turned down was his home state University of Minnesota along with Georgetown, Ohio State, North Carolina and Memphis.  For him to settle on Gonzaga over the other schools is not exactly shocking news.

The 7-foot 1-inch Holmgren was reported to be leaning toward the school all along.  This is good news for Gonzaga as he joins Hunter Sallis 6-foot 5-inch point guard and the number 7 prospect in the Class of 2021, last month he committed to Gonzaga.  Guards Joel Ayayi and Jalen Suggs have declared for the NBA draft and the Zags also lose senior Corey Kispert.  The remaining Zags will likely return which leads us to believe they will be quite competitive in the 2021-22 college basketball season again. 

“Goin’ Back To Indiana”

Mike Woodson has spent the greater portion of his adult years as an NBA player and later as an NBA head coach and stops as an assistant.  Over the years he’s been more closely identified with the pro game over college however all that’s changed.  Woodson played at Indiana from 1976-1980 prior to the NBA and in the same vein of the pop tune by the Jackson 5 he’s “Goin’ Back to Indiana."  

Woodson is not returning to the college ranks without recruiting, he got a potential good one in Tamar Bates.  This 6-foot 5-inch guard is from Kansas City Kansas and Mizzou held out hope.  He was committed to Texas but changed his mind when Shaka Smart departed for Marquette.  He was a prospect Mizzou recruited and there was a slight glimmer of hope he’d choose Mizzou.  I ain’t mad at him I hope Bates (and Woodson for that matter) is successful in Indiana, I always like to see local kids become successful.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD-LpRA5I

The obstinate James Dolan     

In the Sunday edition of Word’s eye view we discussed Knicks owner James Dolan and his feud with Charles Oakley.  I ask my friend David to read it and provide me his input, David is originally from the Bronx New York but lives in the KC Metro.  He informed me “There is resentment by Dolan regarding several Knicks that played prior to his purchase of the team.”  Could my friend David be correct, then I remembered former Knick center Patrick Ewing also had issues with MSG security this past season which is unbelievable.  Ewing along with others was the anchor on those great Knick teams of the 1980’s through 2000. 

Ewing now serves as head coach at Georgetown, the former Knick center had an issue when attempting to gain entry to MSG with his team for a game versus Villanova in March.  I find it difficult to believe a security crew was unable to identify the 7-foot Ewing.  Surely there must be a Wall of Hero’s someplace in the arena containing photos, maybe not.  I forgot Ewing was part of that other group of Knicks, those who played for the previous ownership group.  This incident was reported to have been resolved with Dolan contacting Ewing by telephone.  If you thought, it’s just former players suffering Dolan’s wrath you are wrong, it extends to fans as well.      

Dolan’s fury was aimed at several fans last season who brought in a sign imploring him to sell the team, it was reported they were requested to leave the building.  As for the Knicks record under Dolan’s ownership, they have won 623 games and lost 965 which would qualify them as one of the worst franchises in the NBA.  Research indicates since his purchase the Knicks have recorded three winning seasons.  Can all the losing be laid at the feet of the owner, not entirely however poor decisions regarding coaches, front office personnel and players have resulted in this dismal record which is Dolan. 

Almost there

Recently we checked Rivals.com Class of 2021 prospects for an update.  Rivals is not the only scouting source for high school talent but is among the most familiar to all.  Their Top 50 list indicates few undecided prospects, the majority or signed or verbally committed to a school.  Only 6 remain undecided, below is their rank on Rivals along with their height and name:  

  2. 6-4 Jaden Harden shooting guard

  4. 6-9 Patrick Baldwin power forward

12. 6-9 Michael Foster power forward

24. 7-1 Efton Reid center

32. 6-4 Ty Ty Washington point guard