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Basketball from a fans perspective

Bits and Pieces 

In a manner of speaking I’m stealing a portion of this from Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News. In a radio interview DeCourcy was asked about Dennis Gates and the rumor his name was mentioned (along with others) about the open Texas job. This from DeCourcy, “If you have an AD, you have a good relationship and good pay why make a move?” I can agree wholeheartedly with his statement because “all that glitters is not gold.” As for Mizzou’s administration and Gates I have no answer, I believe the coach has a good relationship with the AD, but I cannot provide you proof of my statement.

Eastern Michigan was in action against in-state rival Western Michigan. Unless Emoni Bates has a spectacular game his team usually loses and that was the case Tuesday evening. The Broncos beat the Eagles 85-79, Bates was the leading scorer with 23 points but despite help his team lost their 12 game and second in the conference. On January 13 EMU is on the road facing Akron and the road to the NBA continues for Bates.

What timing

The story above was written days ahead of what you are about to read. His name popped up on my social media site, Artis Gilmore. You might not be familiar with his name as might be others. Working backward allow me to inform you he’s been enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. Gilmore played his college basketball at Gardner-Webb (then a junior college) and later at Jacksonville University. He stood 7 foot 2 inches and 240 pounds; Gilmore played a Big Man’s game in vogue for the time frame of the late ‘60’s into the 1980’s. In 1971 he was drafted by the ABA Kentucky Colonels and NBA Chicago Bulls and what is read is interesting. The ABA was so desperate to place him in their ranks they were willing to sign him to a 10-year contract.

The Bulls wanting his services as well went ahead and drafted Gilmore should his future change (which it did later). When the ABA went out of business the Bulls drafted him in the dispersal draft and he would play for them until 1982. In 1982 Gilmore was traded to the Spurs and would play for them until 1987. Gilmore   would finish his NBA career with the Bulls and Celtics, his last pro team was in Italy, and he retired from the game in 1989. If we look strictly at his numbers, I’m sure many will question why this left-hander is in the hall with career numbers of 12.3 rebounds and 18.8 points a game. Rather than listen to me blab and blab and blab check out this YouTube video. It should also be noted Gilmore probably had the largest Afro in the ABA, larger than Dr. J.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeTiJKrhuX8

Purpose in the proposal

A map indicates Trenton is 30 some miles from Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The Sixers want their own arena despite the fact Wells Fargo Arena is fairly new (1996). The issue almost always is based on money, it’s my understanding the Sixers don’t control anything. Truth is the Sixers are tenants in an arena owned by Comcast Spectator, the NBA team receives not one dime of any event held in the building with the exception of Sixer games.

One proposal under consideration was to move the team to Trenton New Jersey however that appears to have disappeared once 76 Place at Market Place in Philly move from a hope to a solid built project. The undertaking will not be completed until 2031 so we have quite a while to wait until the arena is completed. I like the proposal already and not a shovel full of dirt’s been turned over. If you check the window in bold print the website indicates 76 Place will be privately funded. Planned seating for the arena will be 18,500, this is considerably larger than Wells Fargo, according to information secured it seats 16,110 for basketball.

76place.com

Recruiting remains important

All are aware the college basketball landscape has changed significantly in recent years. Players transfer and no longer are forced to sit out a semester to play, this can change a program overnight from one muddling along to an NCAA invitation. Despite this change I continue to believe recruiting remains a vital step for improving a team. You might remember I wrote earlier this season is a throw away for Mizzou’s Dennis Gates, what does he do in his second year on the job?

We are still early; the spring signing period begins April 12 and ends May 17 which gives Mizzou’s staff ample time to scout and recruit high school talent. The coach and his staff are off to a good start based on what I uncovered. Mizzou is in the middle of the mix for Class of 2023 prospects, in my view any position below the Top 50 places a program in exclusive company. Don’t take my word, note the scouting site and the position they place Mizzou. Keep in mind several freshman require seasoning while others hit the ground running.

SI.com-22

Rivals.com-29

247Sports.com-22

On3/db-37