Basketball from a fans perspective

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Not getting ahead of ourselves

This is all speculation so bear with us on this account. We have no idea in late August/early September the impact of Emoni Bates on the college basketball world upcoming. The talented youngster might be enrolled at Memphis (or elsewhere) longer than what might be first perceived. It’s our understanding Bates age puts him in an uncommon position, the NBA mandates you must be age 19 in the calendar year of the draft. He will not have his 19^th birthday until the following January of the 2022 NBA Draft. As for being a year past his high school graduation that might remain a question until Bates reaches a decision. This might all be a mute decision because the implementation of NIL will allow the youngster to remain at Memphis.

Thanks to this NCAA change Bates is likely to earn large sums of money while still enrolled at the school. On the other hand, if his age is deemed an issue regarding the NBA, he could head to Australia to begin a pro career. Best guess the G-League might be out of the question with little visibility compared to college or a pro career.  There is no doubt early, Memphis Tigers basketball must be seen in the upcoming season. Also seeing Bates will be the Grizzlies Jae Morant, he indicates he’s been following Memphis Tigers basketball the two years he’s been in the city. He is said to be excited with the arrival of Emoni Bates to the program at Memphis. NBA and college schedules are not likely to mesh however the two could possibly meet on occasion and possibly even on the basketball court. This should be of interest and hopefully we can follow the progress of these two. 

Looking ahead

It seems in late August, and September I grow anxious. I am ready for basketball to begin play again. It’s not just the NBA for me it’s the entire spectrum, will Russell Westbrook adapt his game to the Lakers, or will this move prove disastrous? I’m looking forward to seeing Chet Holmgren in action for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Emoni Bates at Memphis or Duke freshman Paolo Banchero. In the Bay Area we have the return to action by Klay Thompson, will he improve the fortunes of the Warriors? Will Steph continue to shoot lights out as well? Can rookies Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green improve the basketball fortunes of the Pistons and Rockets? In the Blue Grass State, it’s hoped John Calipari returns Kentucky basketball to the level we’ve witnessed in the past?

How about Duke basketball with this being the swan song for Coach K., I will miss him growling on the sidelines. As for the NBA should we expect the Bucks to successfully defend their NBA championship, or will another team succeed them? Despite off season moves by the Lakers will the Nets be deemed the NBA’s best?  In the NBA West are the Suns primed for another deep run and perhaps an NBA championship? Continuing in the West there remains a question regarding Dame Lillard and his Blazers. There is no doubt the Blazers are a good team, how long is Lillard willing to remain in Portland? It’s my belief Gonzaga will continue the Rodney Dangerfield line “I don’t get no respect” until the school wins an NCAA championship. Who will be the breakout star at the high school and college level, there is always that guy that seemingly drops in out of the sky without a great deal of advance notice, do you remember Jae Morant who played at Murray State? Those are just but a few reasons I’m anxious for basketball to begin again. 

Mali

The Republic of Mali is a landlocked nation in West Africa, It’s also the home country of Mizzou’s Yaya Keita. Keita is a 6-foot 9-inch 225-pound first-year power forward. We don’t know what to expect from this youngster who is new to the game of basketball. Like most youth on the African continent, it was soccer first basketball arrived much later in his life. Wanting to improve his play he came to the U.S. and Miami his second home.

He mentioned how difficult it was for him at first, he spoke only his native tongue Bambara and French. There was difficulty communicating with his point guard so much his teammate refused to even talk to him off the court. Fast forward, he moved to the St. Louis area and from there he received devastating news. First his mom passed away and a while later his father, despite losing both parents he continued his schooling at DeSmet High School in St. Louis. Last September Keita made his commitment known it would be Mizzou and coach Cuonzo Martin. Since Keita is still learning the game its unknown what to expect of him as a first-year student.

They did it again

NBA on Clutch Points recently listed five players they categorized as bust, they assert the players never reached the level most projected. Who are the names, Darko Milicic, Hassen Thabeet, Kwame Brown, Anthony Bennett and Greg Oden? Milicic was the number two pick in the 2003 draft, Thabeet was also chosen number two in 2009. Brown was the top pick in 2001 while Bennett was number one in 2013, and Oden in 2007 was also a number one. We can debate degree of success, Milcic and Brown although they had little achievement on the basketball court, they found financial reward over the length of their NBA careers.

There is one name that shouldn’t be included and that is Greg Oden. All the players listed Oden’s was the only one injury prevented him from playing to his peak. Were it not for injury who knowns how his career might have turned out? Do you realize in pre-draft workouts Oden at 7 feet and 250 pounds exceeded Kevin Durant? Oden was considered a potential budding talent; this was cited previously but is worth mentioning again. An NBA scout compared Oden’s game to that of Bill Russell, don’t become confused. This scout was not claiming he was the next Russell, he showed his game especially on the defensive side was comparable. This is the difficulty, without the ability to see a healthy Oden in action you might read the NBA on Clutch Points account and believe Oden was a bust. Far from it, we just have no idea how good Oden might have been.