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Basketball from a fans perspective

It's over

The Nuggets are crowned 2023 NBA Champions, congratulations to them and their fans, they were winners 94-89 in Game 5.  More detail on the game in the Wednesday edition of Off the Dribble. 

Change is difficult

This account is prompted by recent events in the basketball world. I’m unsure now, without returning to previous writings the number of high school players turning pro. The number is two or three of the present crop of high school players signing with G-League Team Elite for this upcoming season and the 2024-25 year. We have grown accustomed to talent at the high school level with choices over attending college even for one year. Remember back to the time the naysayers claimed this about the one and done rule, “It will ruin amateur basketball.”

Those old enough might think back to a period when the same statement was made about the dunk shot or the three-point basket being implemented. Later this would be applied to the Transfer Portal as well. I don’t truly know what the kids are doing that attend college, it was claimed they only attended classes in the fall. Contrast that with taking up NO space in a classroom that athlete going with G-League Team Elite, NBL-Australia or Overtime Elite. Can anyone document for us the damage to the game allowing amateur talent to begin pay for play at an earlier age? This was headlined Change is difficult and it certainly is true. Many of us don’t adapt well to change in the workplace and the same applies to the world of sports as it relates to basketball.

He continues to be aggressive

Recently we discussed Bret Yormark Big XII commissioner and his attempts to overhaul the conference. We mentioned the commissioner made overtures toward UConn and Gonzaga, two powerhouse basketball programs to join the Big XII. So far there’s been no mention of the path of either school. Last week came news Yormark was in Memphis, he wasn’t there to check out Beale Street or Graceland Mansion or any other tourist attraction. The commissioner was in the city checking out the University of Memphis for a Big XII fit.

After Yormack’s visit there’s been no mention of Memphis leaving the American Athletic Conference, it should also be noted. I have no idea how good the football program or any other sport of the school, I am familiar with Memphis basketball. The basketball played by the university has always been top notch under a number of coaches, at present former NBA player Penny Hardaway serves as head coach. If any one of the three schools mentioned, UConn, Gonzaga or Memphis moves into the Big XII conference basketball will improve exponentially.

It means nothing

Unless your name is announced draft night it means nothing, despite that fact I have continued to monitor the three mock draft sites that are my principle focus. In this particular instance Emoni Bates late of Eastern Michigan has my curiosity peaked. Will the 6 foot 10 Bates be drafted, all three of the mock sites indicate that will be the case in the second round? One, nbadraftroom.com claims the Spurs will draft him at 44 with the pick conveyed to them by the Raptors. Another site tankathon.com places Bates at 46 and headed to the Atlanta Hawks, the last one nbadraft.net says its number 52. This mock site indicates Bates will be the choice of the Suns.

If you question why there is such a range of numbers the that’s easy to explain. By the time the NBA draft is in the second round it’s a guess on practically everyone’s part who might be selected and where. Generally speaking in the first-round picks 1-10 past draft history somewhat follows an established pattern close to the mock sites. With that explanation complete how about Bates, I reported earlier I’d read scouts were impressed with Bates shooting at the NBA Draft Combine. As this is written I’m unsure if he’s worked out for any teams. So there we have it, the last fragment I will produce on Emoni Bates unless he’s drafted of course. The former Gatorade High School Player of the Year from Ypsilanti Michigan is ready for whatever the future holds.

There are others

Remember the 2015 draft Stephen A. Smith became almost epileptic when his Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis. We remain unsure if he actually knew anything about Porzingis but scouts were aware of his name at draft time. I intend to give you a heads up by providing a “head count” of a few international prospects. France will be the first nation with Victor Wembanyama but not the only one. The 2023 NBA Draft will contain a number of international players who will likely be drafted. I will begin with Bilal Coulibaly, he’s a 6-foot 7 small forward, Coulibaly is also from France and might have been overshadowed due to teammate Wemby.

Also scouted extensively is a 19-year-old French youngster by the name of Rayan Rupert, the 6-foot 6-inch prospect is listed as a shooting guard/small forward. We could include James Nnaji a 6-foot 10-inch center from Nigeria. Tristan Vukcevic is a 6-foot 11-inch power forward/center, his home nation is Serbia. This brief look at international prospect closes with Nikola Djurisic a 6-foot 8-inch shooting guard also from Serbia. Keep in mind these are not the only international players but are believed to be the most expected to be drafted. There will be others probably in the second round but the hope is for you to not say “Who” like Stephen A. Smith or have a puzzled look on your face once you hear the name announced draft night.