Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Bits n Pieces     

After their sweep, the Suns are likely patiently waiting on the Clippers-Jazz series to conclude, they are tied 2-2. In addition, Sixers-Hawks are also tied 2-2 and the Bucks are in a 2-2 tie with the Nets. This is written Tuesday morning so the Bucks-Nets will be broken by the time you read this. It is a little unusual and it’s probably occurred in the past with all the series locked at 2-2.

Remember where you heard it first (hopefully this reading). We are fast approaching the NBA draft next month. A sleeper in the draft is 6-foot 11-inch 240-pound EJ Onu from Shawnee State (Ohio). Shawnee State is an NAIA institution and get this, the Celtics have been one of the teams working out the Big Man. There is no guarantee Onu is drafted but expect to see him in some teams training camp this fall…it’s reported he’s that good.

A co-worker asked me, “What do you think about LeBron changing to jersey 6?” I had to be honest with him it wasn’t at the top of my list of things I questioned. I had the answer but decided to check anyway, the Lakers have several retired jerseys and 6 is not one of them. I informed my co-worker what I discovered and then informed him. “LeBron could have done this 3 years ago, why now? I have no idea except to sale Laker jerseys 23 and 6.”

Speaking of the Lakers, did you realize they led the NBA in points allowed in 2021? They gave up 106.8 points per 100 possessions in 72 games. Despite their defensive prowess not a single Laker was selected to either the 1^st or 2^nd team, we can say one word boldly injuries. No doubt if AD and LeBron had played in more games one or both might have been honored. Oh well there’s always next year. Lakers did receive votes but not enough to earn a spot, they include Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Dennis Schroeder and Anthony Davis. 

The game has left them not the other way around

I held a conversation with an acquaintance today, the discussion centered on Kansas basketball. He mentioned Bill Self was going away from traditional Big Man style basketball. I mentioned Mizzou had 7 foot 3 Jordan Wilmore on the roster, he looked shocked, I further stated he played few minutes last season. We really don’t know if Wilmore didn’t play because he was too raw (straight out of high school) or something else. That’s when the associate mentioned “The game has moved away from the traditional Big Man.” I nodded my head in general agreement but is that truly the case? The number one prospect in the Class of 2021 Chet Holmgren is 7 foot 1, I was able to view two of his games on television last winter.

Maybe it’s his height but his game is remarkedly like that of the Mavs Kristaps Porzingis (7-3). The Warriors drafted 7 foot 1 James Wiseman with the second pick in 2020, he played sparingly and then an injury sidelined him for the season. Despite the setbacks the Warriors appear sold on the 20-year-old young man. 6-foot 11 Suns center DeAndre Ayton has grown his game considerably, will he wind up an all-time great? That question cannot be answered in just Ayton’s 4^th year in the NBA. How about MVP Nikola Jokic’ his overall game proves there remains value in Big Men. Youngsters haven’t quit growing, the game has left them not the other way around. We are not going to return to the traditional back to the basket center of an earlier era. It’s my belief there remains a place for the Big Man in the game.

You thought I was joking

It’s my belief there remains a place for the Big Man in the NBA game. If you read the earlier account regarding Kareem and Shaq, you are aware my belief Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and his Sky Hook might exceed the raw physical power of Shaquille O’Neal. His shot was impossible to block, by the time he extended his height he might have been 2 inches taller making him maybe 7 feet 5 or 6 at the peak of the attempt.

Kareem wasn’t perfect from the floor, he missed on occasion the only promise for the opposition he misses more than he makes which was not the case. the shot. His 38,387 points scored make him the NBA’s All-Time scoring leader. This alone offers us proof of Kareem’s prolific offensive talent and ability. There is no need for me to continue rambling on about Kareem, check out the YouTube video below of him in action. To be fair video of Shaq in action is listed below it, make your own judgment. Who wins, Kareem or Shaq?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTL8dW6PqPE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9PAMJiuOao