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Basketball from a fans perspective

Draft bust

I watched two YouTube videos containing a list of players the moderators considered draft bust. Many times players, no matter how they are scouted, analyzed and whatever is used wind up unable to play at the NBA level. What I find disappointing is including names that suffered injuries that affected their NBA careers and even that might be suspect. The examples might be Sam Bowie, Bowie was drafted at a time (1984) Big Man play prevailed in the NBA.

The Blazers could have drafted Michael Jordan however they had Clyde Drexler and believed they needed a Big Man. All these years later we discover former Indiana coach Bobby Knight told Blazer management to draft MJ. In any event you know the history, Hakeem Olajuwon was the top pick by the Rockets next up were the Blazers choosing Bowie, the third pick by the Bulls was MJ. Bowie, 7 foot 1 and 235 pounds would suffer a series of injuries that severely affected his NBA career. Despite an injury history Bowie managed to last 11 years in the association.  He never reached the level projected, however he lasted long enough to qualify for an NBA pension. Next up is another Big Man listed as a bust who was also impacted by injury. His name was Greg Oden, Oden was an All American at Indiana and he too was liable a “can’t miss” prospect.

Prior to the 2007 NBA Draft, one NBA scout claimed “He was the second coming of Bill Russell” which failed to materialize. It failed to occur because Oden’s career was also impacted by injury. Missing parts of seasons, Oden managed a 7-year career finishing with the Heat. Just in case you happen to see any of these videos allow me to say this. There is a vast difference between a player who just can’t play at this level and one impacted by injury, we have two players listed as busts which I fail to see.

Is he generational?

There are all kinds of adjectives allocated to Victor Wembanyama, one we probably have heard the most is “A Generational talent.” Several have made outstanding statements, “If LeBron James was in this draft, I would draft Wembanyama.” With that declaration and others what should NBA fans expect once Wembanyama begins to play in the fall? This account is going to be different; I intend to report on several negatives you and I have read regarding the French teen.

The first is his weight, Wembanyama’s reported weight ranges from a low of 209 pounds to as much as 230. From games we’ve seen he is able to hold his own against power forwards in France but that’s not the NBA. He will be playing in the NBA in short, No Boys Allowed. Wembanyama has a huge height advantage against Draymond Green but can he battle the Warriors forward and other power forwards adequately? Back to the weight issue, cynics claim his 7-foot 4 (or 5) height versus his weight is a capital T which stands for trouble. Skeptics including Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have expressed negatives regarding his height and weight. What I find unusual remember the talk about Zion Williamson being too hefty, this is the reverse account Wembanyma’s thin frame will betray him.

Truth is none of us can analyze the youngster until he begins play in the NBA but this is what I see. I’ve attempted to separate the hype from the athlete but believe this to be the truth barring injury. Victor Wembanyama is the real deal; I believe whichever team drafts him that team will earn a playoff berth. The only question is his thin frame, provided Wembanyama can remain healthy he’s got NBA star stamped on his forehead.

Stay in school

It seems in today’s NBA there is so little need for Big Men we saw a unique situation occur. Hunter Dickinson left Michigan for Kansas, Oscar Tshiebwe as this writing is remaining at Kentucky. These are just two Big Men Name, Image and Likeness has affected the college basketball landscape. Dickinson has gone on record indicating he didn’t earn as much income as he believed possible. Will he receive more NIL money at Kansas, more than likely that might be the case. Money is clearly the driving force, both these Big Men can possibly earn more income remaining in college than as second round NBA Draft choices.

You don’t like the NBA, I get it

It’s clear I must love to be punished, continuing to listen to local sports talk radio. I could find something else to do on my 30-minute drive to and from work weekly. As mentioned in the past the Chiefs dominate the airways and I really have no issue with that, there is no concern with discussions surrounding the Royals either. What I do take issue with is the snide remarks and some of the commentary made by a few of the members on 610 A.M. and 810 A.M. Sports radio regarding the NBA.

It’s clear there is no NBA basketball within a 400-mile radius of Kansas City, no need for the sport to rule the airways here. I do a slow burn whenever I hear one of these remarks or statements, allow me to give you an example. Some might not be aware but TNT’s Kevin Harlin lives in the Kansas City metro, Harlin is a frequent guest on local sports talk radio which should not be surprising. I’m okay when the subject matter is the NFL because Harlin does broadcast those games as well. I turned this recent interview on in the middle however I caught the radio host discussing the number of jersey combinations worn by NBA teams. Tell me friends when did a jersey become so important to NBA action?

Turn it Off

LeBron James is correct; players need to turn off social media or any connection with sports commentary. I can provide you a couple of quick examples, the Lakers won Game 4 over the Warriors 104-101. Immediately after the game on TNT’s Inside the NBA Charles Barkley provided viewers with an assessment of AD’s game. Barkley (and I paraphrase) “Anthony Davis got off to a good start but only scored 4 points in the second half of the game. The manner he was dominating I would have continued to demand the ball.” That is Barkley’s view of a game the Lakers won, it wasn’t the fact AD took a bunch of shots and missed he just took too few in the analyst view.

It wasn’t just Barkley with strange commentary I could include Mike Greenberg of ESPN in this account too. The day before Wednesday’s game Greenberg suggested “LeBron doesn’t need to play, he should remain home resting for Game 6.” Consider this fact, these guys are giving us their view of a situation but fails to take into consideration its correct. I found this on UPROXX.com, “When you spend hours and hours talking on television (or radio) every day, you are inevitably going to say things that are wrong or dumb or both. It’s just part of the job and why I usually just try to shrug off wild takes as part of the game, because I know that if I were asked to talk for “an unspecified” time I would do the same.” As for the original statement LeBron is correct, we cannot help but be influenced by what someone in social media radio or television might say.