Basketball from a fans perspective

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Youth will be served

The headline above simply states in a vast number of instances youth are placed in front. This scenario might play itself out for a variety of reasons. In the NBA youth at the front of the line has certainly become the norm especially with one and done, Euro, Australia and the G-League. As an example, first round pick and the number 14 selection in the 2022 NBA draft Ochai Agbaji is an ancient 22 years of age. Paolo Banchero chosen by the Magic is 19-years old, number two pick Chet Holmgren just turned 20 years of age.

The number three choice Jabari Smith Jr.’s 19^th birthday was in May. You see where this is headed, we hope, the most talented athletes wherever they might play the game fail to wait exceptionally long before striving to compete in the NBA. As for Agbaji and perhaps a few others we could state in truth they were late bloomers. They needed additional time to develop their game. Don’t confuse the issue, we certainly are not stating the top 10 or so prospects will gain NBA success. Agbaji is not the oldest, that honor goes to Alondes Williams drafted with the 37^th pick in the second round. Williams just celebrated his 23^rd birthday prior to the 2022 NBA draft.

Welcome back

Of all the moves the Lakers made this off season this one was worth a second look. In free agency one of the players signed was 6-foot 11 inch 245-pound Damian Jones, if you are thinking Shaq or Chamberlain forget it. What the Lakers receive is youth (27-years old) and athleticism in Jones. You might ask what occurred the first time around? Jones signed a 10-day contract in February 2021 with the Lakers, he signed a second 10-day contract on March 11. From that point it’s a little murky because his bio indicates April 7 of the same year he signed with the Kings. Was it a roster issue or something else preventing Jones from remaining with the Lakers?

We know this to be accurate the Lakers were clearly impressed with his game. Except for an occasional lob he lacks athletic prowess, it's the other things that intrigue the Lakers. Jones was made the 30^th pick in the first round of the 2016 draft by the Warriors, as with a number of Big Men his game might have required additional development. With that said maybe the Lakers have the best version of Jones at this point, we shall see what develops once the season begins. Also returning is 6-foot 10-inch 248-pound center Thomas Bryant drafted by the Lakers in 2017 but claimed off waivers by the Wizards in 2018. Bryant became a free agent this off season and signed again with the Lakers. So, the Lakers have three centers one 27 the other 24 years old and 36-year-old Dwight Howard.

No, you can’t

Kentucky’s top player Oscar Tshiewbe wanted to change his number for the upcoming college season. Despite requesting this change early enough he was told immediately NO. The number Tshiewbe requested was 9 but that is the issue. NCAA rules prohibit certain numbers from being used, the explanation is confusion between the game officials and the official scorekeeper. It’s Rule 1, Section 22, Article 7, Clause b.2 in case you wish to check it for yourself.

“As the NCAA rules state, a player cannot wear a jersey with any digits higher than five. This is to allow the referees to be able to signal with their hands numbers zero through five.” Now the issue is clear in your mind why the change for Tshiewbe you might ask? The University of Kentucky’s won 8 NCAA championships in the school’s history and winning in 2023 would become number 9. We guess Tshiewbe wanted to be first in line celebrating the championship. By the way, the following are legal numbers and can be used by any team,”00, 0-5, 10-15,20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55.”

Is he serious?

There is no FOR SALE sign on the front of the building at 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd, the address is the office of the Orlando Magic. Why the question regarding the team, thanks to Shaquille O’Neal you remember him? We associate him with the 3-peat Lakers, but it was the Magic who made him the number one choice in the 1992 NBA draft. Shaq would play four seasons for them prior to leaving as a free agent for the Lakers.

It would appear Orlando remains a favorite for Shaq, at one point he owned property in the area and maybe still does. As for the sale the DeVos family has made no indication they intend to sell the Magic. Despite this observation there is no doubt Shaq has the financial power to purchase an NBA team. He was a minority owner of the Kings at one point, so the idea of ownership is not beyond his consideration. The Lakers are not for sale either so obviously Shaq must consider the Magic at the top of his list of preferred teams.