Basketball from a fans perspective

“I keep both eyes on my man. The basket hasn’t moved yet.”

Julius "Dr. J." Erving 

It’s that time of the year

The NBA season has begun, November and college basketball season starts. At some date prior to Christmas high school play begins. I’m going to allow you a look at my life, I don’t watch a great amount of television. It’s mostly sports a few entertainment and informational programs, the entertainment channels my wife and I share. We have maybe 3-5 programs we watch together but every fall I must make this declaration at some point.

My wife will say “Can we watch __________?” My response is “I’ve got basketball tonight,” now for the addendum to this statement. Years ago after we first married we attended some event I don’t remember the detail. My wife met someone there she was acquainted with so she introduced me. She said, “This is my husband __________, he watches every basketball game on television.” I smiled but later asked her, “How could you introduce me like that?” I must admit the basketball issue is certainly mine, but that’s okay because life is good with a good basketball game available on television I have no favorite NBA player for the first time in a number of years.

Duke got another one

Jon Scheyer followed up the recruitment of number one prospect Cooper Flagg with another top possibility. His name is Patrick Ngongba, he’s a 6-foot 11 235-pound center who attends Paul VI Catholic High School in Virginia. 247Sports list him as the number 20 prospect in the Class of 2024. As I’ve attempted to point out there’s been no drop-off in play or recruiting since the retirement of Coach K. two years ago.

It should be noted Ngongba will be acquainted with a member of the Duke roster prior to next fall. October 22 Darren Harris a 6-foot 7 inch forward committed to Duke, Harris is a high school teammate of Ngongba at Paul VI. Harris is listed as a 4-star prospect in the Class of 2024. All you Duke haters better prepare yourselves early on there appears little change in Durham North Carolina. This account provides you the why Duke has continued to recruit some of the best talent in the nation including prospects from the Class of 2024.

A return to the past

Ralph Sampson is a name from the NBA’s past, he’s been enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame. With the arrival of Victor Wembanyama there are comparisons made of the two athletes. There is a clear reason why, both stand 7 feet 4 inches however Sampson played at 228 pounds compared to the reported 210 for Wemby. I have mentioned on more than one occasion I hate to look at a particular player and make evaluations but that is the case here.

I located video of Sampson in action and you can see for yourself how much he might have been a predecessor to Wemby. Because injury eventually curtailed Sampson’s career some will look at his 228 pounds and decide “he was too thin to play in the NBA.” We can debate that issue forever, 10 people will claim Sampson’s thin frame was a contributing factor to the downturn in his NBA career in year four. On the other hand we could probably locate 10 people who might claim the opposite view. Check out the hall of fame video below and formulate your own opinion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRVJ-ttZb6o

I’m not sure about him

There exists a number of athletes in all sports who we are puzzled by their actions, this focus is James Harden of the Clippers. At the beginning there is no question in my mind regarding his talent, in the past he’s clearly demonstrated that…as proof his 2018 Most Valuable Player Award. Perhaps you’ve had an opportunity to read his comments while he was a member of the Sixers. He said he was “I was on a leash” during his time with the Sixers which is a strange statement for me. My first thought, Doc Rivers, however he’s since been fired, Nick Nurse has taken over. Harden went on to claim the pressure came from management i.e. Daryl Morey. Again a mixed message, he and Morey were reported to have a good relationship from the time both were with the Rockets.

Harden turned 34-years of age in August so he should have at least 2-3 good years remaining so that’s the good. What's the bad, it has nothing to do with his athletic ability it’s the ability to blend. On the surface the Clippers appear to be a collection of egos who could win an NBA Championship or simply implode. The other issue to discuss is injury, Harden’s been relatively free of injuries I cannot make the same statement about Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Ultimately owner Steve Ballmer had to sign off on the trade, but the question remains. Would you have made this trade if you were in charge of the Clippers? In closing this from Harden, “I’m not a system player, I am the system” and this from former teammate Joel Embiid, “We gave him the ball.”