Basketball from a fan’s perspective

“He never took his foot off the gas.” Kobe Bryant’s high school coach 

I promise

This is the last time I promise I will discuss Andre Drummond and his fit with the Lakers. Those in the media pointing out why he is a misfit with this team what say you now? LBJ was in the lineup, AD was also there as well both were missing during the early days of Drummond. It was the next to the last game of the season however LBJ played 28 minutes with 24 points and 8 assists. AD had 28 points in 36 minutes along with 10 rebounds and 5 assists, Drummond 11 points in 29 minutes and 15 rebounds.

The game was not a national broadcast, so I have no ability to determine if Drummond bottled up the lane as his critics have claimed. It would appear unless we have missed something there might be doubts Marc Gasol is moving back into the starting lineup. Gasol will play valued backup minutes but will not be the primary focus moving forward at the center position. Please don’t confuse the issue Gasol has value its my belief his days of playing major minutes are behind him. This is it, the final time I examine Drummond and his fit with the Lakers.

His plan is known

Jaden Hardy is a 5-star prospect in the Class of 2020, rivals.com rated him the number 3 prospect in the class. He was among the last undecided prospects until Saturday afternoon, it was believed the 6-foot 4 shooting guard might be headed for UCLA or Kentucky. The news is not shocking because there were reports Hardy might turn pro, that report turned out to be correct. Hardy will sign with the G-League Elite team and begin play as a professional in the fall.  

Bits n Pieces

The NBA announced it has created a new award honoring Kareem Abdul Jabbar, it’s the Social Justice Award. This news is certainly not a shock to the majority of us. All through his youth into adulthood and as a senior the Hall of Fame Abdul Jabbar has been involved in numerous community and civic projects over the years. His effort has always been in the forefront and evident while he was player. Congratulations are due him for the honor and the first and future recipients of the Kareem Abdul Jabbar Social Justice Award. 

The NBA has numerous international players, that will continue to be the case in the 2021 draft and hereafter. To update you early we’ll do our best possible to provide you notice when an international name pops up it and noted as best possible before the July draft. From Turkey we introduce you to Alperen Sengun an 18-year-old 6-foot 9-inch 240-pound center. It is likely if he is selected it will be in the second round, in addition we believe he’s NBA ready however that remains to be seen.

Remember the days when high-profile prospects announced their college intention. It was a television production, the camera would pan in on the athlete seated at a table, in front of him would be 4 or 5 caps of his college choices. His hands would remain above the caps before picking one and placing it on his head with these words, “I have decided to become a ________”. His parents/guardians and coaches would smile happily and the television production concluded. Well that no longer exists, youngsters now make their intentions known via twitter or Instagram.

That day I recently wrote had yet to occur is closer than I believed. Longtime and legendary broadcaster Marv Albert is about to retire. It’s being reported his retirement will take place after the 2021 playoffs conclude. TNT likely will position one of its number of broadcasters in his position but it won’t be the same. As he prepares to ride off into the sunset, he will be missed by a couple of generations of NBA and Knick basketball fans. What they will miss most of all is the iconic yesssss he would utter after a dunk, pass or shot was made by a player. His bio indicates he graduated from New York University in 1965 but broadcast his first Knicks game in 1963. He was filling in for regular broadcaster Marty Glickman. Good luck in retirement Marv, many of us will miss your voice on TNT.