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Basketball from a fans perspective

“Winners are not people who do not fail, but people who never quit”

 Anonymous

He should know

The last 40-50 years Duke basketball has produced some of the best teams and most talented players in the nation. Mr. Duke Basketball Grant Hill presented us a list during a recent podcast. Keep in mind Hill returned to the past to provide us his list.

Jay Williams 1999-2002

JJ Redick 2002-06

Shane Battier 1997-01

Christian Laettner 1998-92

Johnny Dawkins 1982-86 

This is Hill’s list so I will not critique his choices since these are all ole skool guys how about Duke players more recently, his list is:

Jason Tatum

Zion Williamson

Paolo Banchero

Kyrie Irving

Marvin Bagley III

The other brother

At the time Bronny James was searching for a school most believed he would choose Ohio State. Other than the State of Ohio (Akron) being his place of birth I’m unsure of LeBron’s connection. As you are aware Bronny eventually decided Southern Cal would be the best fit for him over Ohio State but the story doesn’t end there. Younger brother Bryce had an unofficial visit this past weekend at Ohio State and attended the football game against Maryland. It’s been reported the younger brother might have more potential than Bronny, that’s yet to be determined.

Bryce stands 6 foot 6 by comparison to Bronny’s 6-foot 2 frame. The younger brother is now entering his junior year of high school so unless he re-classifies he will graduate in the Class of 2025. Bryce began his schooling at Sierra Canyon then transferred to Campbell Hall, he was only enrolled there a short time before transferring again, this time to Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks. As indicated Bryce is taller than his older brother however both weigh 180 pounds. With his height its possible baby brother might eventually exceed Bronny in the weight department. As for LeBron that’s unclear at least for now for the 16-year-old Bryce.

Bits n Pieces 

You might have read earlier the broadcast changes forthcoming for the Suns and Jazz. There is another change pending however this one is just in the talking stages. The Denver Nuggets are facing many of the same issues these other NBA teams dealt with. Team president Josh Kroenke (former Mizzou basketball) reports a standoff exists between Altitude TV and Comcast that is now in year four. Kroenke indicates a large portion of Nuggets and Avalanche games have been blacked out. Unlike the others it appears no resolution is likely this upcoming season but expect changes in the future.

It's difficult to say, “He’s the best of the best”, I make that statement because it often appears to discount the effort of others and that is not the case. With that statement out of the way allow me to proceed, let’s just say “one of the best” in the SEC last season was no giant. Wade Taylor IV of Texas A&M is small by basketball standards, 6 feet and 175 pounds. He was All SEC First Team as he helped lead the Aggies to a 25-10 record and a sparkling15-3 in the conference. Taylor IV now enters his junior year for the 2023-24 season, he’s a name you should know.

You might remember Joel Embiid had three 2024 Paris Olympic choices, he could have played for the country of his birth Cameroon in Central Africa. From colonial days a number of citizens speak French including Embiid, he’s been invited to play for France since being sworn in as a citizen in July 2022. Two months later, September 2022 witnessed Embiid being sworn in as an American citizen. I’m unsure of his status in Cameroon however its clear he holds dual citizenship in France and America. Where would he play was the question, last Friday came the announcement the decision had been finalized, Joel Hans Embiid will play in the Paris Olympics for Team U.S.A.