Off the Dribble

Basketball from a fans perspective

He’s got a new job

Joe Dumars has performed management roles in the same manner he did as a player. This former Pistons guard moved into the front office immediately after he retired. The NBA announced today Dumars has been hired as vice-president of operations for the NBA. “Dumars will oversee all Basketball Operation matters for the NBA, including the development of playing rules and interpretations, conduct and discipline, policies and procedures relating to the operation of games.” Dumars first position after retirement as a player was president of basketball operations for the Pistons. He takes this new job with the NBA after holding several posts with the Kings.

The reputation preceded them

You might have seen the play live or maybe later on replay. The Warriors Draymond Green being ejected in Sunday’s game versus the Grizzlies. The ejection occurred in the second quarter as Green grabbed Brandon Clarke’s jersey as Clarke was tumbling toward the floor. As for the ejection does Green’s reputation get in front of him? There is a reason the question is posed, Jay Williams and Tim Legler two former NBA players and now analyst on ESPN have opposing views. Allow us to briefly check the history prior to Green there was Rasheed Wallace and preceding him, Dennis Rodman.

Despite the 212 technical fouls Rodman received he was only ejected 5 times, bet that’s a surprise for many. Although he wasn’t ejected an official once gave Wallace a technical foul for “looking at him.” As for the past Wallace holds a record that will probably never be eclipsed, during his NBA career he was ejected 29 times. The second most belong to an active player, DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins has 14 on his resume. A surprise for some, former Pacer Reggie Miller compiled 12 ejections, as for Green, is he a dirty player…define dirty for us? I happen to be one of the those who believe he is a high impact player, he is not a dirty player.

I’d like that

I try and avoid discussing players or getting too excited about those yet to commit, that is the case as this is written. By the time you read this the deed will have been done one way or another. This is transcribed Friday afternoon; Jamarion Sharp has until Sunday night to provide Western Kentucky notification he will enter the transfer portal. Late Friday evening Sharp did indeed enter the portal. Hopefully, he commits to Mizzou which has two more scholarship remaining.

Who is Sharp and why is he so valuable to you a column was required? His bio, Sharp is 7 feet 5 and weighs 235 pounds, if you were thinking the second coming of Kareem, Shaq or Wilt forget it. Sharp is quite limited offensively however it’s the other thing. He is quite adapt at clogging the lane and blocking shots, Sharp is so skilled in blocking shots he led the nation this past season with 148 and averaged nearly 5 blocks a game. It might be good to keep the other team from scoring if your offense is unsettled at least at the beginning of the season. Oh, one more thing, did I mention his former head coach is now an assistant at Mizzou?

In a perfect world

Illinois Big Man Kofi Cockburn announced on IG he will forgo his senior year. He’s declared for the NBA draft and will hire an agent; this part entails Cockburn to close the door to a return to school. In a perfect world this is what occurs, he will become a second round to an undrafted prospect. He should pull an “Austin Reaves”, you might remember in 2021 the Laker guard announced, “don’t draft me I prefer to choose where I would like to play.” The location Reaves chose was the Lakers, this same scenario might occur for Cockburn if he so chooses. This is the plan as I become general manager of the team.

The Lakers sign Dwight Howard through the 2022-23 season, in the interim Cockburn is dividing his time between the G-League South Bay Lakers and the parent club. Kareem Abdul Jabbar is hired to coach Cockburn to improve his skill level in various areas of post play. The following season the 7-foot 300-pound behemoth is inserted in the Lakers lineup where he performs admirably. Could this process work…of course it could however this account was titled “In a perfect world.” If you’ve read this blog for any length of time you realize I am enamored with Big Men and how they impact the game, we all love. In addition, despite small ball mentality there remains a place for the Big Man in today’s game.

Do It

Ja Morant has come to the forefront; his high wire act has gone to a different level this season. The proof, he was voted the NBA’s Most Improved Player for 2022. With that we read a few comments from cynics indicating, “One day he won’t be able to fly so high.” That statement is true “Father Time remains undefeated” however we can borrow lyrics from the ‘70’s R&B group BT Express. The title of a 1974 hit was Do It, below are the lyrics of the first stanza:

Ooh

Go on and do it