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Basketball from a fans perspective

Figure him out if you can

James Hardin has traveled a bit during his lengthy NBA career, let’s do a quick count of the teams he’s played for. He was drafted by the Thunder in 2009 and remained with them through 2012. Next up it was the Rockets and Hardin remained in Houston until 2021, he would move to the Nets and was in Brooklyn through the middle of 2022. A trade sent him to the Sixers where he remains to date but wait there is more.

Once again Hardin appears on the move as he’s indicated a desire to leave Philadelphia. Perhaps this is not fair on my part but the Sixer games I witnessed last season didn’t represent the Hardin I was accustomed to seeing play. This might appear to be a playoff thing but when Hardin was good he was very good, when he was bad, okay I think you understand the direction I’m going here. Hardin will turn 34 years of age before the season begins, the question now has become is there any gas left in the tank for Hardin? Although from what I read he’s yet to name a destination but definitely wants out of Philly.   

10 + 4 = 14 – 2 = 12

The mystery in the headline is this, the Big XII conference has operated with 10 teams since the 2011-12 season. In July Brigham Young, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF became conference members (14). The following season will see Oklahoma and Texas depart for the SEC leaving it a conference of 12 again. Now football is much easier to schedule but since this is a basketball blog that’s what we’ll cover here. At the time there were only 10 schools the basketball was scheduled in this manner. Each school played a home and away game for a total of 18 conference games.

The complete play dates have not been finalized however the conference announced the schedule in this manner. Each Big XII school will play 5 opponents twice home and away, they would play one game each against the remaining teams four at home and 4 on the road. Once the 2024-25 season comes about the schedule will revert back to the previous one. In all the gyrations undertaken the conference will still play the same number of schools this upcoming season the format has been changed. Have you got this new adjusted schedule committed to memory yet? I wonder how Bill Self will take the departure of Oklahoma and Texas, should I remind you what occurred for Mizzou with the coach?

He might even be better today

I covered this story recently, for an unexplained reason Dennis Rodman decided he would attack Celtic great Larry Bird’s ability to play the game. He hinted that Bird might not be good enough to play in the NBA of today. I discussed this with a co-worker who was unfamiliar with the Rodman podcast. I relayed it to him and he brought a different perspective to the issue. James said, “Playing in today’s NBA Bird might be even better than what we witnessed in the 1980’s.”

He continued with this observation, “Team defense is certainly nowhere near as good as it was back then.” What’s not to say Bird might be an even better shooter today over 1986 playing in the present NBA.” James went on to say, “Today’s players are better conditioned and for the most part in better physical shape than many back then. There is no doubt in my mind players adjust their game based on conditions, why would that not be the case for Bird.” I stated this previously this could be Rodman or someone else, how can you compare players from 1986 and try to match it to those playing the game in 2023.

Best prospect available

The NBA draft can certainly on occasion prove tricky, scouts and front office personnel projecting future play of a prospect. I’ve mentioned on more than one occasion the former administration of the NFL Cowboys always went for the best prospect available rather than position. I must admit this account contains a portion gathered from another site. If we travel back in time to 1979 we discover the Lakers made a similar decision, drafting the prospect over the position required. The Lakers had very capable Norm Nixon playing at the point, they also had the first pick in the June draft so a decision was needed.

This was the Laker thought process, “We need a shooting guard, Sidney Moncrief at Arkansas is the best shooting guard in this draft.” What direction do you suppose the Lakers went in the 1979 draft, if you are thinking shooting guard you are incorrect. They drafted Magic Johnson a point guard they had no requirement for the position. Just in case you are unfamiliar with Moncrief who was drafted by the Bucks consider this. He was an All-American at Arkansas and would become an NBA All Pro. After he retired Moncrief would be enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame so we can conclude the guy must have certainly been an outstanding player. As for the other guy, Magic Johnson, turned out to have a pretty good NBA career too. The Bucks, while certainly good during Moncrief’s time never came close to the championship record Johnson help establish for the Lakers.