Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Monday, Wednesday & Friday  

The last edition

This is the last weekend edition of Off the Dribble, the next issue will be available on Monday August 2. The basketball off season has officially begun. We now begin a Monday, Wednesday, Friday publishing schedule. At an undetermined date in late September or early October Off the Dribble will return to a daily. Thank you for being a loyal visitor and it’s hoped you enjoy this as much as we enjoy placing it before you.    

The Lakers tossed us a curve

Several in Laker Nation including this member believed the Lakers would get younger. They would draft 24-year-old Chris Duarte out of Oregon. At his age he’s probably the oldest player in the draft. Instead of acquiring a 24-year-old the Lakers settled for a player 9 years older. He was just any 32-year-old he was the mercurial Russell Westbrook thus the woeful shooting from 3 will continue for the Lakers. I should bring it to your attention West-brick is one of the worst in the NBA in shooting beyond the line. Despite his nearly 10 assists a game total there are the TO’s, at times he becomes a turnover machine.

Guards are expected to be quality shooters from the free throw line, that has not been the case for Westbrook the last several years. Last season he shot 65.6% from the line, not terrible but nowhere close to the 79% for his career. Those are the negatives in his game, how about the positives? Westbrook has a very good mid-range game; he is fearless when driving to the basket doesn’t matter who is in front of him. The fearless nature of his game also includes rebounding the basketball. Westbrook’s been a double-digit man in rebounds 3 out of the last 4 years for the Thunder, Rockets and Wizards.

Will LeBron consent to Westbrook handling the ball, better yet can Westbrook become a pass first shoot second point? Laker offense suffered whenever LeBron was resting, can this detriment be alleviated with Westbrook on the floor minus LeBron? This trade becomes a “win now” mentally by the Lakers rather than plug in a youngster and hope for growth. Russell Westbrook is a Laker now; I will embrace him as part of the Laker family. I will attempt to be objective regarding his game and remain concerned about certain aspects of it. In closing this next portion is interesting, as this is being completed, I’ve discussed the trade with three people by text or phone. Knowing my passion for the Lakers all are attempting to convince me this trade for Westbrook is a good thing.

In other news

We know a great deal about top pick Cade Cunningham chosen by the Pistons. We had an advantage, there was opportunity to witness Cunningham in action at Oklahoma State that generally didn’t exist for number two pick Jalen Green of the Rockets. Several college programs across the nation had scholarship offers for Green however he made a different news. Instead of heading off to college last fall it was the G-League and Team Elite. With just a few games on NBA TV we had little occasion to witness Green in action.

Green stands 6 foot 6 and a slim 180 pounds, if he is good as advertised, he should be able to move into the Rockets lineup almost immediately. Having little opportunity to see his play this statement might appear premature. The Rockets have cleaned house, there remain just a few who play shooting guard on the roster. The break to play immediately looms quite large for Green in the fall and winter ahead. This next statement will appear shocking however I didn’t originate it, he’s been compared to the late Kobe Bryant. We know there is only one, surely, they must be discussing Green’s work ethic and athletic gift. I’m unsure of your thoughts, the Rockets will probably not be very good however seeing Green in action might prove interesting. 

You remember, don’t you?

Mac McClung broke the Virginia high school scoring record of a guy by the name of Allen Iverson, he surpassed 948 points in 5 fewer games than Iverson. Despite his prolific scoring and dunking ability there is an issue with him. It’s been said in some circles, “McClung is a shooting guard in a point guard’s body.” Don’t allow that statement to confuse he can and does pass the rock.  The issue most pro scouts mention McClung stands 6-foot 3 ideal for the point not so much for a shooting guard.

McClung began his collegiate play at Georgetown and later transferred to Texas Tech but decided it was time for the NBA. He wasn’t drafted although he declared, McClung would sign as a free agent with the Lakers. This probably entails NBA Summer League play in his immediate future, if he plays well then, an invitation might be extended to Laker training camp in the fall. There is at least one factor working for him possibly earning a roster spot, with KCP gone a roster position is now open. 

Here’s hoping McClung earns a roster spot as a reserve. The former Texas Tech Red Raider might have difficulty earning a position on the team. The Laker roster is somewhat unclear at this point, bodies are required to complete it. KCP is gone so one spot is free however the competition McClung faces is from other rookies. The Lakers signed Oklahoma’s Austin Reaves, Joel Ayayi of Gonzaga, and Chaundee Brown Wake Forest. All these athletes are shooting guards and all stand 6 foot 5 or taller, it might do McClung a world of good if he concentrates on playing the point. 

A strange and unusual occurrence

Do you love “Rudy” stories, this is certainly close to one. How did a guy averaging 2 points a game in high school manage to get drafted in the NBA?  He improved to 6 points a game as an Ohio University freshman however his story is more involved. Evidently, he did one thing, he worked at his craft and improved to the point an NBA team was willing to gamble he could play at this level. Jason Pearson of Ohio University was drafted in the second round by the Magic with the 33^rd pick. As most of you are aware second round is not guaranteed however Pearson’s journey gives us an idea, he might stick even in a reserve role.

Pearson is a 6-foot 4-inch point guard, from Orlando Florida. Part of the reason he might not have played much at Boone High School he stood 6 feet tall but weighed a slim 140 pounds. He decided to attend Believe Prep Academy in Athens Tennessee, in addition he grew four inches. Pearson began play on the B team was elevated to A for a period but opted for the C team after limited play. By the time he was ready for college only Ohio University and Longwood offered him a scholarship. Preston began rather slowly in college as evident by his scoring, by the time he reached his junior year it was time for the NBA. The Magic drafted him however he was sent to the Clippers in a trade. Just in case a movie titled Rudy was released in 1993 it told the story of a football players struggles to earn playing time at Notre Dame University.