Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Life’s like….

Quotes often last two lifetimes, they endure forever it seems. Few days go by we don’t hear, read or maybe use one of the myriad of quotes. Certainly, the entertainment industry particular movies has produced literally thousands. One of those is from the movie Forrest Gump. The Tom Hanks character is talking to a woman seated next to him at the bus stop. He says, “My mama always says life’s like a box of chocolates you never know what you gonna get.” That’s Kyrie Irving, although not a great defensive player talent gushes from the pores of this former Dukee. You’ve read the report, apparently Irving wants to move on to another team maybe. It was the Cavs who drafted him, it then became the Celtics and now it’s the Nets. We have no idea who is next on the list we just continue to read and hear reports he wants out.

He may have priced himself right out of the market, his huge salary makes it difficult for most teams to afford him. To compound the issue for Kyrie, NBA teams might be unsure what they are receiving in acquiring him. You can bet money upper management of the Nets believed they had Kyrie at the beginning of the 2021-22 season. A Covid vaccine exists, the majority of players took the shot a few like Kyrie voiced objections. This is old news for some, the City of New York demanded vaccinations in public spaces (Barclays Center) throughout the city. Kyrie objected to the demand and spent ¾ of the season unable to play home games. In addition, we mentioned previously the injury issue regarding Kyrie. I hope this doesn’t appear a hate Kyrie post because that’s not the intent. The purpose is to point out it appears he might have painted himself into a corner.

The correct choice

With the NBA Draft held on Thursday, teams were scrambling. They were attempting to secure that pick that will fill a vital need while others it might be a different story. The Mavs, Grizzlies and others are looking for that one (or maybe two) players to get them over the top i.e., play for the championship. Who do you choose if you are part of the front office decision makers? Who is the best most talented athlete chosen by a franchise? If we said the Warriors, you might be quick to state Steph Curry, hold on a moment. Remember the team once called Philly home, although he wasn’t there at the end its our contention the honor belongs to Wilton Felton Chamberlain. Naturally, this causes a gigantic debate, but we are sticking with our pick.

Best Laker pick is not Kobe Bryant, you might have forgotten the Charlotte franchise picked him. His rights were traded to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac. Dirk Nowitzki spent 20 years with the Mavs and might be considered their best…he’s not. Drafted by the Bucks similar to Kobe his rights were traded to the Mavs. Best Hawks player is not Dominque Wilkins, Trae Young or anybody else who might come to mind. We are going back in time the franchise was then located in St. Louis. They drafted a skinny post player from the University of San Francisco William Felton Russell. The draft rights to Russell were traded to the Celtics who never looked back. Keep in mind the effort here was to point out many of these teams struck gold but were unable to determine it at draft time. We have pointed toward several Hall of Fame athletes, there are others however you see how difficult it is at times to make the pick. Those covered are the success stories, we failed to cover the draft busts…lottery guys who just couldn’t cut it in the NBA.

Bits n Pieces 

Over the weekend came this news, Matas Buzelis will be heading for the G-League and Team Ignite next year. 6-foot 10-inch Buzelis is rated the number 7 prospect and Rivals 5-star in the Class of 2023. Currently he’s enrolled at Sunrise Christian Academy in metro Wichita Kansas and will graduate next spring. More than a dozen schools had offers for the youngster, among them Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA and Maryland to name a few.

Longtime Laker fan Ice Cube provided us his Mount Rushmore of NBA players. Much was made of his list because there were Lakers omitted, in addition he omitted LeBron James. It’s not a talent issue, LeBron will be a first ballot Hall of Fame nominee. I provided you my Top 10 list of Laker players awhile back and if you remember I bypassed him at the time. One of the keys is length of time, LeBron’s has not spend enough time as a member of the Lakers to qualify for my list. Number two is championships, Pau Gasol at least to this point has more Laker championships than LeBron.

You say Akron (OH) basketball and LeBron James might be the first player that comes to mind, there have been others. Gus Johnson and Nate Thurmond both deceased were high school teammates, in addition they would later play in the NBA. Johnson and Thurmond have been enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. The city also produced another outstanding basketball talent, Steph Curry was born in the city while dad played for the Cavs. There are probably others omitted however those named are likely the best-known Akron standouts. I’m sure a few residents might resent Curry being included in the count since he was only born in the city, he grew up in Charlotte (NC).

The Big XII will gain new members sooner rather than later, exit stage right, Texas and Oklahoma. Entering from the left side UCF, Cincinnati and Houston in 2023 from the American Conference. BYU is an independent and will also join the Big XII next year. UCF, Cincinnati and Houston each will pay the American $18 million to depart for the Big XII. I cannot speak to the football, the basketball in the conference should improve with perennial powers Cincinnati and Houston joining the Big XII.