Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Monday through Friday

Did he read my blog?

Yesterday you might remember one of the stories in Off the Dribble dealt with the 2022 NBA Draft. I hope it wasn’t interpreted as mean-spirited on my part, I suggested teams might bypass Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren as the top pick. This was not a talent issue rather one dealing with his 7-foot height and rather thin weight of 195 pounds. Kenny Smith TNT analyst and former NBA player must have read my blog, 

Smith indicates his belief there is no weight issue regarding the slim Holmgren. Briefly Smith claims Holmgren’s skills (shooting especially from distance plus passing skills) make him a valuable commodity. In time Smith claims Holmgren will gain strength over additional weight, this will aid him in further developing his talent. Based on the thoughts of Smith it might depend which team is in draft position. Team A might be inclined to draft Holmgren over Team B, we shall see what transpires June 23. By the way I was joking about Smith, I'm sure his opinions are his own and not a reflection of my blog. 

You ain’t no Kobe!

No argument, Steph Curry is one of those generational athletes. He is one who arrives and changes the game just by his presence, Curry is that good. With the salutations out of the way allow a brief explanation why this is being written. Laker LeBron James has gone on record indicating he’d “love to play with Curry.” Two things will never occur, Curry will never sign with the Lakers. Why should he at this point his Warriors and the Lakers are headed in opposite directions. IF LeBron wants to sign with the Warriors so, be it.

We might remember at one point during his career it was reported Kobe asked to be traded. We believe it was a point the Lakers were treading water; they were stuck in the middle. Kobe Bryant was Mr. Laker and must be defined by him, unfortunately we no longer have him here to explain. We are unsure of the statement of LeBron but with his history of changing teams that type of statement he made certainly will not endear him to much of Laker Nation. At age 37 he’s defied time playing at such a high skill level, if he wants to walk, I wish him the best. It’s not a loyalty thing as much as timing, this statement comes out as the Lakers are eliminated from playoff contention… unbelievable.

Important NBA dates

There are upcoming events planned for NBA teams, note them and add them to your planner:

April 24 NBA Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)  

May 16-22 NBA: Draft Combine (Chicago)

May 17 NBA Draft Lottery 2022

June 13 NBA Draft Early Entry Entrant Withdrawal Deadline (5 p.m. ET)

June 23 NBA Draft 2022

College players have been declaring for the draft daily since the season ended however that is not the end. If the prospect fails to hire an agent, he can decide to return to school in the fall. The deadline for entry is April 24. The next event is the draft lottery, prospects are measured, poked and prodded in an effort to determine their basketball capability. That’s followed by the draft lottery where the order of the draft is decided but it doesn’t end there.

June 13 the player decides to return to school withdraws his name, this is the last date for that to occur. If he remains draft eligible and is not drafted, he cannot return to college. The end of this effort culminates the evening of June 23 draft night. It remains possible through free agency to earn a roster spot; the most recent example might be the Lakers Austin Reaves. Other than playoff basketball occurring during this timeframe these dates might be just as important to the continued growth of NBA basketball, what do you think?

It won’t be coaching

We are approaching the sunset of LeBron James extraordinarily successful basketball career. Once LeBron retires what becomes the driving force for him? We really don’t have a clue but this we could guess there will be no coaching career. On second thought he will coach his two sons, but the NBA or college is out of the question for one reason…intensity. LeBron is far too driven to deal with the ego of an NBA player giving him 75-80% nightly. We are not picking on LeBron let’s take a look at several former superstars. Kobe Bryant did not live long enough after retirement besides the fact there were so many other things going on in his life, entertainment involvement and coaching his daughter was likely it for Kobe.

Michael Jordan, it’s been reported he once caused a grown man to shed tears when both were players. MJ “retreated” to the safety of the Hornets owners box. As far as we can determine MJ leaves the coaching to James Borrego and his staff. We discovered quite soon Magic Johnson the coach wasn’t Magic Johnson the player. Magic took over the Lakers near the end of the 1993-94 season and his team registered 5 wins and 11 losses, he resigned at the end. Of all the superstars who became coaches we can state in earnest Larry Joe Bird was the best.

Bird coached the Indiana Pacers for three seasons before deciding to give it up. He led them to 147 wins and 67 losses, the team earned a playoff spot in each season but failed to advance to the championship. There must be something about the number 3, former Laker great Jerry West only coached three seasons too. His Laker teams were successful 145-101, playoff bound but never advanced to the championship round. Legendary Celtic great Bill Russell must be included, if we omit the years, he was a player coach with the Celtics just like Magic as a bench coach for the Sonics and Kings he wasn’t particularly good. There have been several players that moved into the coaching ranks, none in the past or present were superstars.