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Basketball from a fans perspective

Bubble wrap needed

Surprise, surprise Anthony Davis came off the bench on Wednesday for the Lakers. For the first time since December 16 or 21 games ago Laker Nation witnessed him in action against the Spurs. In his return the stat line was good, it read 7 for 15 shooting from the floor, 21 points 12 rebounds and 4 blocked shots in 26 minutes. AD proved once again to all he is a tremendous talent; despite this fact he often cannot remain on the floor for long periods of times due to him suffering frequent injuries.

Is there an answer for AD’s injury cycle, it certainly would be great if the Lakers could manage to place bubble wrap around his body? AD was a force in a reserve role as his team beat the visiting Spurs 113-104. With his return plus the trade for Rui Hachimura is this team prepared for a stretch run to earn a playoff berth? As this is written in the Wild, Wild West the Lakers are now only two games behind playoff teams in the lost column if the season ended today. As for the playoffs the Lakers are the only one’s capable of providing an answer to the question.

Sometimes a worthy effort goes down the drain

Emoni Bates had one of those classic games, the only problem his team is not very good. Eastern Michigan was a loser once again this time to Toledo. The final score read Toledo 84 EMU 79, and consider this Bates scored 43 of EMU’s points. Bates scored 29 points in the first half on 10 of 14 shooting along with 7 of 9 from 3, all in the first half of the game. Bates was within percentage points from both numbers, 65% from the floor and 64% from 3. This should not be considered a scouting report, the EMU game conflicted with the Mizzou game.

So I had no opportunity to see the youngster for myself. I remain unsure if the former Gatorade High School Player of the Year is a legitimate NBA prospect. Previously it was mentioned questions might revolve around Bates defensive presence. One publication indicates Bates is listed in the Top 50 of draft prospects for 2023, the question is that enough? Is that an indication he will be drafted should he decide the NBA is his next move? The deciding factor will be the NBA itself; they are candid enough to give a prospect a yes or no answer.

It turns out to be the same despite what you believe

You might remember the scene in the 1986 movie Hoosiers. Coach Norman Dale’s (Gene Hackman) team had played all their games in tiny gyms throughout the State of Indiana. Hinkle Fieldhouse where they would play for the state championship seemed massive to his Hickory team. Dale had his players measure the distance to the free throw line and the height of the basketball goal…all intended to point out there was no difference in gyms they played in previously. The ball bounces the same in Hinkle with its 9,000-seat capacity versus KFC Yum Center in Louisville and its 22,000 seats. There are some Blue Blood programs (Duke, North Carolina, Kansas) the teams are expected to hire a “name” coach.

Mizzou is not there, and neither is Kansas State, when Dennis Gates and Jerome Tang were hired students, alumni and fans not only were unimpressed they questioned the why? I have no method to provide you proof of my theory only a belief. The ball bounces in the same manner at Cleveland State as Mizzou Arena, the distance to the free throw line and height of the basketball goal is the same. Folks this ain’t rocket science, why do we think the outcome might be different? I always look at Coach K. as the example, 1980 was a different time and perhaps this wouldn’t occur today. He was hired as head coach by Duke after serving in the same role at the U.S. Military Academy West Point. His first three seasons certainly provided no proof of his ultimate path. Have athletic directors hired the wrong guy in some instances…of course they have? The simple answer don’t look at where someone has been versus their ultimate destination.

I mentioned it to my wife

Shaq’s always been one of my favorite basketball players, as for his commentary that’s another matter at times. This is one of those times I have a question regarding his response, he was asked about the Lakers acquisition of Rui Hachimura. This is what he said, “If you ain’t a top 10 player, I don’t know who you are, that’s no disrespect. How am I supposed to know who the kid was?” Here’s what I took from his comment the first, why didn’t he just Google Hachimura’s name? The second part might indicate Shaq’s got an elitist attitude about a players ability.

Because Hachimura is not a top 10 player in his eyes it is hardly worth becoming acquainted with him. There are nearly 500 players in the NBA at any one time, no one including Shaq could provide you the names of every player on every team with a snap of their finger. Then the giant mistake on my part I mentioned the story to my wife, she took Shaq’s side stating, “How is he suppose to know every player in the NBA?” No one sits high enough in my view to look down on anyone, I’m quite sure Shaq would say that’s not what he is doing but that sure appears to be the case.  

HBCU basketball

Talent from Historically Black Colleges continues in the NFL although not at the pace it once did. Basketball is a totally different matter, at least half of the black players in the league came into the NBA from HBCU schools in the 1950’s through the mid 1970’s. That pipeline no longer exists, in fact the last and currently only HBCU player in the NBA is Robert Covington now with the Clippers. Covington was undrafted from Tennessee State but arrived in the NBA in 2013. I am compiling a list of the Top 5 NBA players who matriculated at HBCU’s. I researched this matter to ensure I didn’t overlook anyone, here goes:

 

Earl Monroe-Winston-Salem State

Willis Reed-Grambling State

Sam Jones-North Carolina Central

Bob Love-Southern University

Bob Dandridge-Norfolk State

I debated on Monroe and Reed; I almost assigned a 1a and 1b to their names. I decided Monroe’s impact on the NBA game was more significant than Reed. Even more interesting Monroe and Reed were rivals at one point and later became teammates with the Knicks. All are NBA champions and enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame with the exception of Bob Love. Love scored over 13,000 points during his NBA career and was the catalyst to the success of the expansion Chicago Bulls in the 1960’s.