Basketball from a fans perspective

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Salary discussions are for others, there are exceptions

We’ve read and heard for the last few months Pelican forward Zion Williamson wanted out of New Orleans. Even more interesting is the amount of money the Pelicans are willing to pay him to stay. As you might be aware I often hesitate to discuss salaries and for one reason alone. I’ve long held the belief there are those in the society who provide more valuable services, i.e., teachers, first responders and health care along with fire and law enforcement.

The Pelicans are giving Williamson a raised despite the number of games he’s missed thus far, drafted in 2019 Williamson’s played in 85 of a possible 246 games? In the 2019-21 season we saw Williamson play a total of 24 games. He didn’t play at all in the 2021-22. Despite him missing a considerable number of games it appears the Pelicans are ready to sign him to a huge extension off his rookie contract. This extension is reported to be a 5-year extension to the tune of $231 million. It’s a slippery slope anytime a discussion of payment is discussed and that is the case here. Perhaps Pelicans management knows something we the public are unaware. That something might be why Williamson wants out of New Orleans, is it more than the location perhaps?

Laker news unrelated to Kyrie

From the headline you might gather I have no interest in Kyrie Irving becoming a Laker. With that said let’s check out the Summer League games of the Lakers. Game one final score read Lakers 100 Heat 66 but don’t allow yourself to be fooled. This was the initial Summer League Game for both teams. Mac McClung who played for both the South Bay Lakers and the Lakers last season led the way scoring 17 points off the bench. Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 14 points and pulled down 6 rebounds.

Draft pick Max Christie scored but 5 points but pulled down 9 rebounds, Shareef O’Neal had 15 points. Sundays Game Two saw the Lakers matched against the Warriors, the result was the same score as the Lakers blasted the Warriors 100-77. Scotty Pippen Jr. led the way with 18 points and 8 assists, Cole Swider chipped in with 16 points and Jay Huff scored 10. Folks this is Summer League, there is no need of becoming too excited however in both games thus far the Lakers look to be the better prepared team. It’s now on to play the Kings at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tuesday.

They will find you

The name Trevor Hudgins is probably unknown to most of you reading this account. If you watched the NBA draft recently you saw two players from Kansas chosen in the first round. Hudgins wasn’t drafted by any team however he comes off a championship team as well. He was a key member of his Northwest Missouri State team which won the NCAA Division II Champions in 2022. Hudgins from Manhattan Kansas is a 6-foot point guard but don’t allow his diminutive size to fool you he is a baller.

The Rockets had a good plan for the 2022 draft, despite acquiring talent in the draft they must have seen potential in Hudgins. Shortly after the draft he signed a two-way contract with the NBA Rockets. Hudgens was the catalyst in NWMS winning its second championship in a row and the third in the last 5 years. Hudgins was named NABC Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022. It might be tough for Hudgins to earn a roster spot with the Rockets however it provides us proof of one fact. If it appears a prospect has a modicum of talent, they will find you i.e., NBA scouts.

We just don’t know

The Dennis Gates hire at Mizzou made news mostly in a negative manner. Several in Mizzou Nation were not pleased with the administration hiring a coach from a mid-major school (Cleveland State). The hire began quickly with the coach and his staff filling the roster with prospects. Mizzou had only three holdovers due to coach Cuonzo Martin being let go. Perhaps the first coup was receiving a commitment from 6-foot 7 wing Aiden Shaw. Shaw was recruited by the former coach, but hearing Martin had been fired de-committed, this 4-star prospect would later change his mind after being enticed by Gates.

Mizzou now has a full roster, what remains ahead for Gates and company. We are not there yet however the last week of June saw Mizzou received its first commit for 2023. This past Thursday the school received a promise from Anthony Robinson II a 6-foot 3-point guard from Tallahassee, he’s a 4-star prospect. The most interesting part this youngster is smack in the middle of the Florida State University footprint. This is a verbal agreement as most are aware, he could de-commit however there is a huge positive here.

Gates and his staff having identified 2023 prospects are working, working, working. It’s yet to be determined if this collection of prospects will be successful on the court, we must still await the season to begin. One additional note, the name Phil Pressey will not register with most just a small number. He played the point from 2010-2013 for Mizzou while Frank Haith served as coach. Pressey left Mizzou for the NBA as the school’s all-time assist leader. He played briefly in the NBA but mostly in Europe. He’s retired now and has agreed to join Dennis Gates staff as an assistant coach. I guess we can say Pressey has now come full circle in returning to Mizzou.