Published Daily  

Basketball from a fans perspective

Not a good move however it wasn't his choice

Playing in the G-League fails to indicate NBA hopes are dead, there is always the possibility of return. We can look no further than Jordan Clarkson of the Jazz as an example, speaking of the Jazz this is a connected story to them. At the time the Cavs drafted Ochai Agbaji last June, I thought it was a good fit for him, the later trade sending him and others to the Jazz not so good. To me he demonstrated what hard work and determination will send you. Agbaji from Kansas City went from an average player at Kansas to becoming the 14^th pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft. Agbaji appeared to have all the tools and the Cavs would be that right time and team and then the trade.

Once he was traded, I was disappointed for the youngster, I cannot detail the why however Agbaji saw little time on the court in a Jazz uniform. Despite the fact there was a housecleaning with Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell traded the players received except for Agbaji were veterans, the Jazz still remain a veteran team. After checking the roster and failing to see his name an investigation was undertaken by yours truly. I discovered this past week he was sent to their G-League team. Playing in the G-League is not the end of the world he can be re-called at any point, it appears my belief at the time has come to fruition. As a high first round draft pick Agbaji will be paid however it’s my view its more than money, it’s my belief he wants the opportunity to play.

“You knew the job was dangerous when you took it!”

I read an account sent to me by a friend, it detailed the writers status of NBA coaches. Of course in this instance it was his one opinion. It described those whose job was believed safe and a couple who might possibly lose theirs. There is no intent on my part to fire anybody, besides the fact I have no control in that area. What I did find interesting was the names he mentioned who might be venturing into dangerous territory. Tom Thibodeau with the Knicks and the Sixers Doc Rivers were those named. In both instances we have veteran coaches whose teams are underperforming.

There might be injury issues in both instances and other factors, if that is the case will management be patient? If there are other issues at work how long, maybe not long? I’m certainly in no position to determine if Thibodeau and Rivers should be fired but if we can see an underperforming team certainly management can as well. The writer indicated the Lakers Darvin Ham and Nets coach Jacque Vaughn were okay for now. Unless there is a serious matter occurring how can the Lakers, Nets (or any team) fire a first-year coach with so little time under their belt? Darvin Ham, Jacque Vaughn and any name I might have missed deserve time on the job.

More NCAA

The ineptness of the NCAA has been detailed a number of times in the past, this is one more example. Question, has anything been done about LSU basketball? Last March LSU fired basketball coach Will Wade; the firing had nothing to do with the coaches won-loss record. He was accused by the NCAA of offering cash and jobs to lure recruits to the school. Five major violations were supposed to have occurred under Wade so what’s occurred besides the firing…nothing. It’s only been 8 months, so it’s likely not enough time has elapsed after all look at Kansas basketball. We had almost four years since a finger was pointed at the program so what was the outcome? To date Bill Self is sitting out games so what is that saying?

Is it an admission of guilt or something else since the NCAA has done nothing except promote an air of impropriety by Self and Kansas basketball? For me that’s been the issue all along with the governing body of college sports. One school is accused of a penalty and the NCAA issues a slam dunk, another school with a similar issue and all we hear are crickets. I realize each case is not the same however the NCAA is either slow (Kansas) or we have a case such as Oklahoma State. The school self-reported and “quickly” the NCAA said, “Okay no NCAA Tournament (2022) for you despite the fact you admitted guilt.” In the meantime Kansas under suspicion at the time was yet to be adjudicated but were permitted to play. Why was OSU not permitted although indicting itself while Kansas still under investigation could play? I have no answer just confusion on my part.    

Bits n Pieces  

We are all witness to the growth of international basketball over the past 20+ years. We’ve seen an increasing number of international players arriving on these shores to play in the NBA while others have graced the rosters of American colleges throughout the nation, this story is just one more example. Recently the St. Louis University Billikens announced the commitment of 7-foot 1 275-pound Bruce Zhang from China, he will join two other freshman in the Billikens 2023 class. I’m way ahead of you on the next question, you are asking does the Big Man from China have game? My answer to that question is unknown, allow me to provide the information I know. Zhang’s been in America for a time, he’s currently enrolled at the Skill Factory Prep High School in Atlanta Georgia. There were other schools with offers for the services of Zhang, they include Bradley University and Coastal Carolina.  

Do I pay for ESPN+ or just wait out the balance of the non-conference schedule? Once SEC play begins no problem, all the games are available for viewing. I’m unsure if this impacts you as it does me, the early season Mizzou games are not televised. Correction, they are available if I wish to pay for them on ESPN+. This is my mind set, the cost is nominal so that’s not the issue. My issue, if I decide to purchase the package in all likelihood, I will keep it. I’m sure there is additional programming beyond Mizzou basketball I might find interesting. What to do, what to do. 

Over the length of time I’ve followed the NBA I’ve witnessed a number of players. Several I believe have been outstanding…as for others it’s been a different outlook. I’m not referring to the next to the last guy on the bench I’m talking about those who play major minutes. Often, they are a team’s leading scorer, rebounder or assist man. I might say “I’m not as impressed as I was at one time.” That’s the case for me regarding the Sixers James Hardin. Through his time with the Thunder, Rockets, Nets and now the Sixers he’s clearly demonstrated he can score. His assist numbers have always been outstanding so he's not a selfish player but there is something missing, I believe it is the ability to lead a team. I wish someone could prove to me I’m wrong. Perhaps you can be an outstanding athlete without the ability to lead. 

There’s been another Wembanyama sighting but this time it’s not Victor who is the subject of this discussion. We have been told Victor has a 15-year-old younger brother. The brother is Oscar Wembanyama, and he stands 6 foot 7 in height, unlike his older brother Oscar is yet to play professionally. As most are aware Euro youth can begin playing professionally much sooner than their American counterparts. OTE Elite can sign 16-years old but is yet to do so far, to my knowledge only those who skipped their senior year of high school.