Basketball from a fans perspective

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Is this true?

NBA training camps opened on Monday September 27, the players in all 30 training camps were in place except Ben Simmons. The Sixer point guard has made it known for a while he wanted out of Philadelphia. On Thursday came this revelation by TMZ, “Simmons is prepared to sit out the season despite the fact he would lose $30 million in salary.” If we look closer the first part of the story might be questionable, it is TMZ after all reporting the story. 

Secondly do we believe Simmons wants out of Philadelphia badly enough to lose a huge sum of money in salary? This story continues to become stranger and stranger as the Sixers try to entice Simmons to training camp or possibly arrange a trade. What works best for both parties? As for one of the chief Sixers Joel Embiid had this to say, “I’m disappointed with the Simmons situation." I hate to speculate here but might there be more to the story than we are aware?

He was feared by Wilt

This is an account voiced by Dr. J., both Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld are deceased so neither can say yes or no about the authenticity of the account, we must believe there is no effort to deceive us. As for the participants Chamberlain stood 7-foot 1-inch, he weighed between 275-300 pounds. Unseld was 6 foot 7 and checked in at 245 pounds, his was a chiseled body and we must take into consideration it was a different NBA back then. Bodies were expected to absorb plenty of physical abuse especially at the center position. Chamberlain the offensive machine would punish opposing centers with his scoring and shot blocking capability.

Unseld arrived in the NBA in 1968, by that time growth was needed at the center position. Most centers of that era stood at least 6 foot 9 and many stood much taller, Unseld was a throwback in a sense. You might believe with Unseld’s size he might have been better suited to play in the 1940’s or ‘50’s. Perhaps in the NBA of the 1960’s he should have been a power forward at 245 pounds. Allow us to clear one element of the account first, don’t suppose Unseld “stopped” Chamberlain that is the stuff of pure fantasy. What did occur according to Dr.J. the much smaller but solid Unseld would give Chamberlain fits with his bulk and ability to often force Chamberlain away from the basket. We read the Celtics Bill Russell was a worthy competitor when facing Chamberlain, it would appear Unseld was a worthy opponent as well.

Lateral Move

Belmont announced it was leaving the Ohio Valley Conference in 2022 according to reports. This is not good news as the Bruins are the best basketball team in the 12-team OVC. This is a different move over the one made by Houston, BYU, Cincinnati and UCF. The aforementioned schools left the mid major AAC for the Power 5 Big XII Conference. Belmont in the mid major OVC is leaving for the Missouri Valley Conference. The OVC like the Valley is considered a mid-major conference, this is just one of the moves to occur.

Another unicorn

Game officials are yet to toss up the first basketball, despite this fact we are predicting the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. His name is Chet Holmgren, this 7-foot 1-inch 190-pound unicorn (their word not mine) will be in action on the court for the Gonzaga Bulldogs late fall and winter. Holmgren is given the title of unicorn because at least in high school he did everything you can describe. The youngster has a mid-range game and can shoot from three, in addition Holmgren can dribble the length of the court.

Want more information about his ability, how about dribbling the ball behind his back a neat accomplishment for an athlete of his stature. As for the unicorn term it is loosely applied to 7-foot athletes who are not considered traditional centers. We could say must see basketball can be applied to Gonzaga for this upcoming season, focus a keen eye toward Holmgren he might be impossible to miss. Hence forth unicorn will no longer be used in this blog unless it refers to the mythical horse like creature with the single horn atop its head. That is unless Kristaps Porzingis, Holmgren or someone else develops a horn.

Looking toward the Laker future

The future for the Lakers is quite murky about moves, the team has used draft picks to get Anthony Davis and others in the recent past. It will now appear they must be shrewd in decision making over the next few years if their plan is to compete. This is the outlook, in 2022 they are shut out, they have no picks with both being traded. In 2023 the Lakers have no first round pick but can draft in the second round.

The trade of Gasol deals the second pick in 2024 to the Grizzlies forces them to sit out the draft. The earliest date the Lakers have both picks would be 2026, in fact from that year going forward (for now at least) they have the opportunity for two additions to the roster. With no picks in 2022 the scouting staff must work OT to ensure a continuing influx of talent arrives in Los Angeles. As you can see if Frank Vogel still is in place, he or his successor plus the scouting staff must work seamlessly to infuse talent into the Laker roster. This might appear to be a daunting task however it certainly is workable.