Published Monday thru Friday    

Basketball from a fans perspective

Change…maybe?

After the transfer portal closed, college basketball information became almost nil. Once NBA free agency and Summer League play concludes news comes to a screeching halt, it too becomes really slow. Based on this fact I’ve been pondering a publishing change. Last summer if I remember correctly Off the Dribble was published Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. In my mind such a schedule might have caused confusion for some of you. I ain’t saying this is great prose you are reading it’s just the fact my desire is to continue publishing on a regular schedule. No decision has been reached yet it’s just something I am deliberating.

Why not

Normally I attempt to avoid unnamed sources but in this instance I agree. It's been reported an unnamed GM says if ESPN analyst Mark Jackson really wants to coach again he should take an assistant coaching job. The fact that he’s seeking a coaching job has never been made clear first of all. Second to that I agree with the GM for a single reason. We could look at Maurice Cheeks as an example, he’s been fired by the Sixers and Pistons yet he’s been an assistant coach with the Bulls since a 2020 hiring.

The dean of head coaches is currently not working anywhere but check out the journey of Larry Brown. Brown’s time as a head coach extends back to his days in the ABA, he’s also coached UCLA and Kansas basketball. His NBA resume extends to the Pistons, Knicks and Bobcats (now Hornets). In 2021 this veteran became an assistant to Penny Hardaway with the University of Memphis. The names mentioned are but two former head coaches who served and or presently serving as assistants. If Mark Jackson wants a job as sources indicate perhaps he needs to swallow his pride and take on the role of assistant coach. On the other hand maybe Jackson is satisfied with the large sums of money ESPN pays him.

Laker news

A great number of moving parts and we are just beginning. The first gem is from LeBron, I’m not an Instagram user but he’s reported to indicate the 2023-24 season will be his last in Purple and Gold. Someone might be concerned with this news, not me. LeBron will be 39 years old by the time the season ends, he’s played at a high skill level far beyond scores of NBA players. If he should desire to latch on to another team in order to play with Bronny so be it. I think the Lakers are on the right track with their roster and if he can remain healthy Anthony Davis assumes the leadership role for this team. LeBron will be around at least for another full season, time for AD to move up to his planned new role.

I think 98% of Laker Nation was ready to run Rod Pelinka out of Southern California. With the smooth tradeline deals the season was resurrected and the Lakers made a playoff run few believed possible as late as February. As for the present the team waived Mo Bamba not shocking news, since the trade deadline deal Bamba’s been injured and saw little action for the Lakers. Does Anthony Davis now assume the role of starter at the center position, AD’s made it known it’s not his favorite. Battling Jokic and Embiid can wear a body down and with his injury history no need of going further with this.

This is where the story becomes really interesting. It’s being reported Brook Lopez will sign with the Lakers once free agency begins. Lopez is 35 years old but would bring a veteran presence to the position plus a valuable commodity. Although the guy is 7 feet tall and 280 pounds he is deadeye from three. Lopez shot .374 for the Bucks last season, in fact in the 5 seasons he played for the Bucks his lowest percentage from three was .314. Should the Lakers sign him don’t expect a ton of rebounds, the forte of Lopez has always been his offense although he ain’’t bad on the defensive side either. That is the latest Laker news to date, I’m quite sure more will be forthcoming.

Boy, we have a controversy

The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup games will take place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.  The dates are August 25 through September 10. There will be 32 teams participating in the world cup games including the United States. The U.S. team has been embroiled in a bit of controversy not from its administration but the participants themselves. As an example, Rui Hachimura whose birthplace is Japan intends to play for the U.S. As this is written we are unsure if this has created a rift with Japan.

The Italians are upset with Paolo Banchero because he gave them verbal authorization he intended to play for Italy and then changed his mind. For those who might be unfamiliar with his heritage Banchero’s father is Italian while his mom is from the U.S. Finally we close this out with Austin Reaves, as this is written it’s unclear what nation he will play for. Reaves was born in Newark Arkansas however his grandmother was born in Germany and Reaves has a German passport. European teams have space for naturalized players and Reaves would qualify. As this story continues to develop updates will be provided.