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Basketball from a fans perspective

Bits n Pieces

ESPN continues to blow up its NBA programming lineup. Jalen Rose, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy have gone from the NBA side, as you are aware these moves were made recently. There is one more move contemplated, this one just a change rather than termination. A report is circulating that the network intends to replace Mike Greenberg with Malika Andrews as NBA Finals Host. I probably am in the minority but have not been impressed with Andrews, I guess I will watch less of the NBA Finals in the future.

From what is written does Arizona State really desire to become part of the Big XII? There have been a couple of disparaging remarks emerging from Tempe regarding the change. The single statement “I’m not going to Morgantown (WVU), I’m going to send the assistant AD.” That was made by athletic director Ray Anderson, he’s since apologized for the statement. It’s further being reported ASU president Michael Crow has made his thoughts known and he’s not a happy camper either about the move, it’s going to be quite interesting to see how ASU adapts to this change.

The second coming

Peyton Marshall might be considered the second coming of Shaquille O’Neal. Marshall is listed at 7 feet tall and 300 pounds which is certainly in the realm of the Big Aristotle. Now before I continue this glowing report allow me to state Marshall is likely matched against 6 foot 7 maybe one or two opposition players who might be 6 foot 10. As you can see he might not have faced topnotch competition while enrolled at Kell High School in Marietta Georgia. His skill set around the basket is so similar to that of Shaq although that might be unfair to him. Rather than Shaq perhaps he needs to be the best version of Peyton Marshall. Where am I going with this glowing report, Marshall is a Class of 2024 prospect. He was committed to Auburn and then de-committed, it was reported Marshall was leaning toward Ole Miss as his school of choice.

Then it occurred, John Bol a 7-foot 1 190-pound center made his commitment known on July 31…it would be Ole Miss. Bol is well short of Marshall in the weight department however they play the same position. Will Marshall choose Ole Miss too, that’s doubtable at this time. Who’s up next on Marshall’s list of possible schools, it could be another SEC school…Mizzou. This is certainly only speculative at this point, Marshall is to soon make his decision known by the end of the week. For those in Mizzou Nation our fingers are crossed. Just in case Mizzou misses at Marshall there is a back-up plan in place, it’s always good to have one. He’s identified and with an offer on the table is Khaman Maker. Also in the Class of 2024, Maker is a 7-foot 215 pound 3-star prospect he attends Trinity International School in Las Vegas Nevada.

Hype part II

I wanted to update or correct a portion of yesterday’s “Is the hype machine working overtime?” The portion related to Cavs rookie Emoni Bates and a modification to a portion of his story. Yes he was Gatorade Player of the Year while in high school. Although he changed high schools before graduation the buzz around him continued, it remained as he re-classified and enrolled at Memphis. The hype did seem to lessen a bit for Bates after his apparent flameout and injury.

His transfer to a bad Eastern Michigan team resurrected his stock. Bates was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft by the Cavs but that was not the original forecast. I remember once reading an scout who claimed Bates was "ready for the NBA as a high school sophomore." His prospects faded as he matured from high school into college. Was Bates overhyped in a similar manner as Wemby has, I think we can say yes? I ask the same question for him I did for Wemby. Was Bates overhyped…possibly, was he a contributor to the hype…NO.

He’s got game

Laker guard Austin Reaves has quickly become a favorite of mine and members of Laker Nation. His teammate claims the 6-foot 5-inch shooting guard doesn’t receive the credit due him because he’s white. Excuse the spelling in this instance, this is a direct quote from point guard and backcourt mate D’Angelo Russell. D’Lo says, “They prolly discredit him because of his skin color, but he got game. A lot of black dudes in the league got one (game), maybe one white boy they know can hang and get it at any park back home. I can bring him to any park back home, and he gon hold it down.”

It’s clear Laker management saw this in Reaves as well, they were not about to allow him to walk in free agency. In addition to his free agent payday he also managed to secure his first big shoe deal with Rigorer a Chinese shoe brand. You remember the Reaves story don’t you, he informed those interested NBA teams he would seek out his own deal, don’t draft me was the word he uttered. As for the team that turned out to be the Lakers. We discovered last season once second year man Reaves was inserted in the starting lineup LeBron James was singing his praises. It is clear his backcourt mate Russell has his back as well. Reaves is certainly one of the keys the Lakers hope will lead them to the 2024 NBA championship.