Basketball from a fans perspective

“No Rebounds-No Rings”

Pat Riley  

They strike again

I had just posted the message/question on social media, “I wonder if 7 foot 5 Connor Vanover will play tonight (last night) for Mizzou?” Late this afternoon the NCAA reared its head once again in a surprising move. What occurred was that Vanover had participated in the NBA Portsmouth Invitational Tournament back in the spring of the year. For those who might not be familiar with the tournament its conducted every May to assess college basketball talent for draft purposes.

Under the radar players participating in the tournament have managed to earn their way onto an NBA roster, ask DeMarre Carroll. Not only did the NCAA rule Vanover ineligible for tonight’s game he will be forced to miss the next two as well. This is the part I find most confusing a college player can declare for the NBA draft. He can withdrawn his name at a point and suffer no consequences however the tournament is an exception. An athlete can participate in Portsmouth return to school as Vanover has done and be penalized. The NCAA continues to defy logic with their decision making at times, figure this one out if you care.  

The source

I have a New York friend, not in the city but here in Kansas City. A number of years ago David moved here and apparently intends to remain but that’s another story. On occasion I try and pick his brain about New York sports, especially the Knicks. What you are about to read is a mixture of his thoughts and mine, I will attempt do my best to separate them. I watched the Knicks play twice this season, in the second game no one seemed to have a clue what they were attempting to accomplish. I asked Dave and he immediately pointed his finger at owner James Dolan.

“Dolan is an idiot. He thinks he knows basketball but really doesn’t. Unfortunately, it’s why they get coaches that don’t work with proven players. One of the core either Randle or Brunson has to step forward and say, this is my team and lead.” I thought they might have turned the corner, after finishing below .500 the prior year the Knicks earned a playoff berth. They met the Cavs beating them 4 games to 1 before losing their series against the Heat. They always talk about how tough Knick fans are but I can’t say I’m in total agreement. Most have got to be among the most considerate fans in the world, for years they have been paying gigantic ticket prices for unwatchable professional basketball over the past or so 10 years.

He blots out the Sun  

That’s an exaggeration however Oliver Rioux stands 7 foot 6 inches (and still growing). He’s a solid 300 pounds so nowhere close to some of the rail thin Big Men we’ve seen recently. This 17-year-old is playing at IMG Academy in Florida however a decision was made. Given a choice between IMG and Real Madrid’s U18 team he decided in favor of IMG. He also has a trainer in his native Montreal Canada coaching him to become a better player. How about a kindergarten student the same height as the teacher, it’s reported Rioux stood 5 feet 2 as a 5-year-old.

With extremely tall parents we could say height was in his genes. Video of him in action indicates he’s a little slow moving up and down the court. I’m unsure if there is any training that will add to his foot speed. His ability to contest shots might keep him on the defensive end of the court for extended portions of the game. I wonder if he loves the game intently based on some of the answers he gave. My read, he likes the game but doesn’t love it. Anytime you say NBA then maybe pro basketball it causes me to wonder. Despite the negative I’m expressing I’d certainly like to have him on my team if for nothing else to play defense. Keep track of updates for this Class of 2025 prospect, will it be the NCAA or pro basketball?

Bits n Pieces  

Construction seems to be accelerated at the Intuit Dome. It’s being reported the 18,000-seat arena will be open up well ahead of the Clippers 2024-25 season. I don’t have the video rights so you must check the construction progress for yourself on YouTube. Intuit Dome will operate 100% carbon-free, it will be fully powered by batteries and solar power. As for as the other arenas there’s been no reported change in San Antonio on a replacement for Frost Bank Center. The only information I could uncover is that the Spurs and city management have met several times and “progress” is being made. In Philadelphia, the planned 76 Place appears to have turned political with the election this month.

If you say Chicago Bulls your immediate thought might be Michael Jordan. I can say with certainty the player you are about to discover was actually the FIRST star for the team located on Madison Avenue. His name is Bob Love and he was a 6-foot 8 inch forward, Love played for the Bulls from 1968 through the 1977 season. During that time he was selected a three time All NBA All Star, two times All NBA Defensive Second Team and three time All NBA Defensive Second Team. Love was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in 1965 but played mostly a reserve role. In 1968 the Bucks selected him in the expansion draft but traded him to the Bulls, playing for Dick Motta’s Bulls his career blossomed. In retirement he works for the Bulls as director of community relations and a goodwill ambassador. Bob Love a name you should know from the NBA’s rich history.

Whoever emerges from the Western Conference Championship might be so exhausted they may not be able to contend for the 2024 NBA Championship. Unlike in the East there are a smaller number of contenders. In the West there are plenty of contenders for the conference crown, the defending champion Nuggets plus the Warriors, Lakers and Clippers. I would be remiss if I excluded the improving Kings plus the youthful Thunder and maybe the Suns. The eventual champion will not be forced to compete against all the teams named but certainly those who survive the Western Conference minefield.