Basketball from a fans perspective

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Six weeks from now

The Nets first exhibition game is scheduled October 3, based on this timeframe it would be roughly 6 weeks before training camp opens. PROBABLY, note bold type, all caps and underlined…Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will both begin the season with the Nets. This is extremely strange considering virtually all summer we’ve read stories both wanting to, Escape from New York, if you are good at movie trivia you caught that reference. We can only guess what’s in the minds of these very talented athletes but here goes. In the media last season, we had a love fest apparently between James Harden, Irving and Durant.

After the season began Harden discovered he didn’t want to play for the Nets, he forced the franchise into trading him. As you are aware no vax and strict city rules saw Irving unable to take the court in Brooklyn until nearly the end of the season. Durant having to carry much of the offense literally broke down, he would miss time due to injuries sustained. What occurs now is anyone’s guess however it appears Irving and Durant will be teammates for at least a while longer. How did this Nets automobile (on paper) appear so workable yet managed to drive itself into a ditch? You don’t have time to read the why and its probably not as important as most might believe. All the experts continue to talk about what the Lakers don’t have, what do the Nets have?

The best thing….

I’m unsure where it originated, there was a saying “The best thing about freshman…they become sophomores.” The explanation was this, highly touted freshman don’t always adapt to the college game. In this age that statement is ancient, most of the Top 10 are headed for the NBA after a single season. Despite this fact who won the recruiting wars for the Class of 2022? This depends more on who you read. The last information we read indicated despite the retirement of Coach K. the Duke Blue Devils were at or near the top in most polls. Eric Musselman has continued to recruit and more importantly win at Arkansas. It would appear the Razorbacks are poised for another run in the SEC and the NCAA Field of 64.

Another SEC powerhouse Alabama, once upon a time we’d mention Bama and your thoughts would automatically focus on football. Those who root for the Crimson Tide now days might have divided loyalties between football and basketball. Kansas, and two additional SEC schools Kentucky and LSU will field competitive teams in this upcoming season. Surprise, surprise one website has my Mizzou Tigers listed in 38^th place in recruiting. I know what you are stating but consider this fact, we must return to the brief appearance of Michael Porter Jr. to locate a highly touted recruited Mizzou team. The year 2017 when Porter and company arrived on the campus in Columbia. We mentioned Alabama earlier but it’s the entire SEC, this conference might be one of the strongest in the nation. If we exclude Mizzou, I’m unsure of the count but that should be close to the Top 10 teams recruiting for 2022.

They will acquire their money…if

We are aware Zion Williamson missed this past season for the Pelicans, many of us were surprised when the team signed him to a massive extension this summer. With a payout such as Williamson received there are conditions, in this instance its WEIGHT. There were off season reports indicating the Pelican forward had ballooned to over 300 pounds. That statement was never proven so what goes now for Williamson? The contract extension has a clause indicating Williamson will be subject to a weight and body fat percentage.

The contract indicates if Williamson exceeds 294 pounds deductions will be made in the payment. The Pelican roster says Williamson is 6 foot 6 inches and 284 pounds. With this clause placed in his contract we guess there is a belief his weight might have been a contributing factor to a portion of the injuries he’s suffered since his arrival in New Orleans? I don’t listen to a great deal from Charles Barkley but in this instance I did. Barkley was nicknamed The Round Mound of Rebound at Auburn and into his NBA career, he stated his belief Williamson is too heavy. If we check the records, they indicate Barkley also stood 6 foot 6 but was 252 pounds.

The point

New York City’s 5 boroughs have produced some of the best point guards in NBA history. A .com sight asked the question “who is the best” which I believe is an exercise in futility. Players of different eras produce different results that’s the bottom line for me. Instead of deciding the best I chose to list the names and the borough they were born or grew up. All are now retired with Marbury being the most recent, he retired in 2018 from the Beijing Royal Fighters in the northern division of the Chinese Basketball Association. 

Kenny Anderson-Queens

Mark Jackson-Brooklyn

Stephon Marbury-Brooklyn

Bob Cousy-Manhattan

Nate "Tiny" Archibald-Bronx

Kenny Smith-Queens

When attempting to compile an all-time list there might be a player who was omitted. In this instance it was not on purpose they were simply overlooked. If you believe one or more were missed, feel free to add them to the list.