Basketball from a fans perspective   

Published Monday through Friday

Chet Holmgren vs Emoni Bates

These two battled for high school basketball supremacy last season, Holmgren is now enrolled at Gonzaga while Bates decided in favor of Memphis. Neither athlete is NBA ready, allow for a further explanation. Holmgren’s numbers are good (13.9 points, 8.7 rebounds & 1.9 assists per game), for a player standing 7 feet tall his point total and rebound numbers should be considerably higher. In fairness to Holmgren, he is not the primary focus for this veteran Gonzaga team. His 63.3% field goal percentage is outstanding considering his 3-point range. Play as a sophomore would provide Holmgren an opportunity to gain experience and to add vital pounds, 194 ain’t gonna cut it in the NBA. On the other hand, weight might not be an issue as we reference Marcus Camby. On arrival in the NBA in 1996 Camby stood 6 foot 11 but a thin 220 pounds, we thought “too skinny”, but he proved us wrong.

Now for Bates, his collegiate journey has been rocky to date, but he’s got a clear advantage. It’s believed his age will prevent him from being considered draft eligible for 2022. The numbers for Bates are 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game and 39.5% shooting. An injury impacted the youngster, but its likely other factors have been responsible for his slower than usual adjustment to college basketball. At one point Bates was relegated to the second team in an effort to aid his development. I informed one of my co-workers I will continue to believe in the high school scouting report that indicated Bates was ready for the NBA. Playing through a sophomore year might provide him the maturity required for his game, in conclusion neither player in my view is ready to play at the NBA level. This account fails to take into consideration one or maybe both of these young men decide in favor of the NBA or at least a pro career in the NBL.

Midwest mayhem    

We could consider it a hangover or better, yet Midwest mayhem probably sounds a little better. In this part of the nation the loss by the NFL Chiefs capped the end of a bad and losing weekend. On Saturday four of the area college basketball teams were all losers in the SEC/Big XII Challenge. Mizzou kicked off the afternoon losing to Iowa State rather convincingly 67-50, next up was Ole Miss and Kansas State. Kansas State would come up on the short end of their match 67-56.

In the early afternoon, the contest most of the nation was awaiting, Kentucky against Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse. Someone forgot to inform the Wildcats they were not playing in Rupp Arena; they smacked the mighty Jayhawks the number 5 team in the nation 80-62. Wait there’s more, the nightcap saw the University of Missouri-Kansas City lose their contest to Omaha by one point 69-68. As for the SEC/Big XII Challenge it was clear this year’s winner was the SEC. As for us in the Midwest with the prospect of a winter storm we must remain calm, it should get better (we hope).

Bits n Pieces

If you check the list of NBA Rookies of the Year you will see the name Ernie DiGregorio. Although he won the award in 1974 few remember him because his career was so brief. Many unfamiliar with his name might ask what occurred? Ernie D. was made the 3^rd pick in the 1973 draft by the Buffalo Braves after an All-American year at Providence. Although expansion Buffalo was only a .500 team, he was able to lead them into the 1974 playoffs where they lost to the Celtics. Ernie D’s first year showed so much promise, he would average 15.2 points a game lead the league in free throw percentage and assists. A severe injury would limit his NBA career to but 5 seasons, Ernie D. a forgotten name in the NBA’s history.

We are there, “The Highway to the Danger Zone” with head coach Patrick Ewing. The former Georgetown and Knick was a fan favorite as a player. As a coach that’s been a different version, we’ve mentioned his difficulty with securing a head coaching job in the NBA. Despite numerous NBA interviews he was never hired, finally his alma mater Georgetown called, and Ewing said yes. In 5 seasons Ewing can only point to his second year being somewhat successful. The Hoyas were 9-9 in the conference and 19-14 overall. As this is written his team is 0-6 in the conference and 6 wins and 11 losses. The key for Ewing and any college team is recruiting…is that the issue?

When do you decide to leave might be the question for Aminu Mohammed, If his name is unfamiliar just a couple of quick notes? Mohammed is a 6-foot 5-inch 210-pound guard who played his high school basketball in Springfield MO. He arrived on the campus of Georgetown as a highly touted 5-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American. If we check out his numbers, it appears he’s made the adjustment from high school to Division I play fairly well. All things being equal Georgetown is unlikely to improve much over the next few seasons…does Mohammed leave for the NBA or remain in school to further develop his game? I hope it doesn’t appear I’m in favor of him leaving school, the problem for me the Georgetown program might not prepare him to play at the next level.

Is he NBA ready, that question is for NBA scouts who analyze talent? We cannot answer the question regarding Oscar Tshiebwe in late January 2022. We’ve mentioned in the past the 6-foot 9 255-pound Tshiebwe has a limited offensive game but is a monster on the boards. After beginning his collegiate career at West Virginia he’s transferred to Kentucky to play for John Calipari. Tshiebwe scores mostly on put back shots or dunks but as mentioned before he is a ferocious at rebounding the basketball. Since the beginning of the season up till now Tshiebwe leads Division I players in rebounds with his 15.2 a game average, get this he’s registered 20+ rebounds five times this season an accomplishment several 7-foot athletes have been unable to attain. His raw potential makes him a worthy prospect for the future.