Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Do they really know?

The 2024 NBA draft is likely to contain two subjects who will be highly scrutinized. Combo guard Bronny James, the son of LeBron and Zach Edey Purdue center. Depending on your source the story will vary, in this instance we cover Edey, Bronny will be profiled later. Since the beginning of the collegiate season all we heard for the most part was what Edey couldn’t do rather than what he could. A co-worker said today, “If you are expecting the second coming of Kareem you better forget that.”

“Edey has things he can do very well.” Both of us are Laker fans so I asked the question, “Would you be okay with the Lakers drafting him?” I’m not going to go into detail with Ron’s response but he was okay with the potential. He said, “They move AD to power forward and Edey occupies the post position.” Ron went on with his assessment of Edey, he said something with which I can certainly agree. “We got a bunch of people with little if any expertise trying to decide who can play in the NBA versus who can’t.” There is one more issue to consider, the NBA is on the cusp of expansion, the league will need a bunch of warm bodies, Edey could be one of those.”

Bits n Pieces  

Late Thursday the University of Kentucky announced the hiring of Mark Pope former BYU head coach. He replaces John Calipari who left for Arkansas, this is an interesting hire in several aspects. This fact was pointed out for me by a morning host, Pope is a former Kentucky player but that’s his only connection. “Hubert Davis played for Roy Williams at Carolina and was a longtime assistant to Roy Williams. The same could be said for Jon Scheyer who played for Coach K., he too was a longtime assistant for Duke.” Pope has no relationship other than he played at the school. I hope this doesn’t appear to be a negative reaction to the hire of Pope.

I wanted to provide you information why I was all over the map regarding Bronny James. Researching this issue I located opposing statements have been made by media members plus past and current NBA players. On the yes side Chris Broussard Fox Sports, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins and the Warriors Draymond Green. All stated their belief Bronny is ready to play in the NBA. Those lined up on the no side, Jay Bilas ESPN, former NBA players Kenyon Martin and Rasheed Wallace. Based on this group it’s easy to see why someone might become confused on the youngster potential.

In defense of Cooper Flagg

You might remember this, recently I wrote of the coming new Face of the NBA. With LeBron James and Steph Curry edging toward retirement who becomes the face of the NBA, of course health is a primary role. As an example let’s check Kawhi Leonard, he’s 32-years old now and certainly has just a few years remaining. He could have been the face if he’d only remained healthy during his career, so that’s one story. I held a discussion with Keenan on his list and later we discussed mine. Everything was okay until I said the name Cooper Flagg which prompted a response from Keenan.

“How can you include him as the face of the NBA while he’s still in high school? I’ve got to see him play college ball before I decide” were the words of my co-worker. Allow me to return briefly to the past with this observation, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant operated under a distinct set of circumstances. In both instances with high school direct to the NBA a possibility we functioned under an altered set of circumstances over what exists for Flagg in this age. Standing 6 foot 9 and 200 pounds he appears to have the skill set that’s ready-made for the NBA. He's received Gatorade and Naismith National Player of the Year honors. You and I are guilty of far too much focus on the offensive side of the ball, can I say it, Flagg is well aware there is a defensive side of the game.

The McDonald’s All-Star Game offers us no proof of his ability truth is practically any game of that type to me echoes the same theme. This offers further proof of his skill set, he reclassified into the Class of 2024. Flagg was rated the top prospect in the Class of 2025, after the decision was made to move up you’d think his rating would drop a bit. That would not be the case as he became number one in 2024. Due to his reclassification he’s liable to be at Duke for two years, Keenan will have an opportunity to see him in action. My co-worker might soon come to the same conclusion as me, future NBA star…Cooper Flagg.

I said it for them, maybe I’ll make a suggestion

The Caitlan Clark season has been outstanding for women’s college basketball. Recently I stated the WNBA must take the responsibility of continuing the momentum. The WNBA season begins in May and ESPN, the NBA and other parties must make an all-out effort to remain as much in the public eye as possible. The WNBA has an advantage over the NBA in this regard, players such as Clark generally remain in school four years.

It’s extremely rare to discover a men’s player who’s played much past his sophomore year. Andray Carter of ESPN said this, “If we see Caitlan or others we are giving praise to this generation who grew up watching women play the game. The generation before them grew up only watching men play the game.” There are elements of the women’s game that are essentially better than the men, an example would be passing the basketball. There is no single fix to increase eyeballs covering the women’s college game or the WNBA but if there is no effort made what occurs. Women’s basketball will lose the momentum it gained having a Caitlan Clark and Angel Reese be must see basketball this season.