Basketball from a fans perspective

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Inactive Time

We’ve reached the Inactive Time; college coaches have been hired in addition the prospects for those universities and colleges have made their decision. In the NBA, the draft and free agency are behind us so too is summer basketball. For all practical purposes not, much will occur between now and the start of NBA and college training camps. In most instances in the college and pro ranks many are working out as this is written. What’s the purpose of this account, it’s to inform you Off the Dribble will begin shrinking for a period of time, the number of articles will be reduced? Face it there’s only so much basketball history to uncover and detail. Once October arrives expect a ramp up in coverage once again, hopefully you will continue to read and enjoy the content published.

Despite title, Wiggins regrets getting vaccinated  

The above is the headline to a story regarding the Warriors Andrew Wiggins. Keep in mind we are still in the middle of covid as it continues to ebb and flow like the tides of the ocean. Our northern neighbor Canada has strict guidelines, you are not vaccinated you don’t enter the country. The Kansas City Royals found this out recently as 10 players and several coaches were forced to remain at home. In the NBA it remains an issue, we are aware Kyrie Irving played but that only occurred after New York City lifted its ban. If it’s the Nets, Lakers or someone else Irving will be unable to play in Canada in the 2022-23 NBA season. Yet another voice is heard that of Andrew Wiggins of the NBA champion Warriors.

Wiggins is stating he regrets being vaccinated, keep in mind apparently, he’s suffering no ill effects. In his words, “But for my body, I just don’t like putting all that stuff in my body.”  His words are quite interesting considering he’s probably had a polio shot, perhaps a flu, diphtheria and a host of other inoculations might have been received. Rest assured with Wiggins growing up in Canada I’m unsure of the nation’s requirements. In the U.S. in at least most school districts there are a battery of shots required to attend school. I understand the part about Wiggins claiming he was forced, the portion I don’t understand, the last part of his statement. He said, “putting all that stuff in my body”, come on Wiggins, do you have any idea of the “stuff” in any of the shots you’ve had since you were an infant until now?

He's the other guy 

Earlier we mentioned Víctor Wembanyama’s name as the possible top candidate in the 2023 NBA draft. One site nbadraft.net placed him in the number two slot rather than in first place as other mock sites. Who is in first place you ask; his name is Scoot Henderson? Henderson is a 6-foot 2 195-pound point guard and plays in the G-League. This is the most telling part of his bio, he finished high school early but decided rather than college it would be a pro start. Henderson played last season as a pro and as a then 17-year-old the numbers were astounding.

Play against many veteran G-League opponents saw him at 14.7 points 4.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists a game. These are not astonishing numbers but considering his age and last season was his first as a pro clearly indicate the youngster is super talented. Henderson will qualify for the NBA draft because it will have been two years since his high school class will have graduated. In a manner similar to 2022 there will be another teen in the draft, the commissioner will likely announce the name of Scoot Henderson as either the top or second choice in the 2023 draft.

All-time greats

We are not discussing order but just the belief in All-Time greats. Our discussion almost always centers around Big Men, after all the game especially in the NBA is taller than average guys. We might begin with Wilt or Kareem; we’d move on to those of lesser statue the Magic’s, the Bird’s and Jordan’s. Generally, that’s where our conversation ends, few “little guys” are mentioned in a discussion of All-Time greats or those who manage to change the game. We could begin with Bob Cousy, “Tiny” Archibald and certainly John Stockton are part of the conversation. These greats and other smaller guys impacted the game but nothing like the Warriors Steph Curry.

Curry is nowhere close to Cousy, Archibald and certainly Stockton in passing the rock. He might exceed all three combined with his shooting ability. We begin this by discussing those who changed the game. The lane was widen because of Wilt, the dunk was outlawed in college because of Kareem. Teams saw the success of Magic and Bird and tried to duplicate it with 6 foot 9 guys with great passing skills. Nobody absolutely nobody has the shooting skills of Curry. Many have copied it few successfully. There is one more factor that places Curry in the conversation of All-Time greats, its rings and more rings. Curry now has 4 championship rings, that places him alongside Kareem, Magic, Bird, Jordan and others.