Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Sometimes I am really wrong!!

I’m sure if you saw my face late Sunday afternoon you might say, “What’s wrong with that guy?” I just read John Calipari was leaving Kentucky for…. the open Arkansas position. Most are aware Eric Musselman left Fayetteville for Southern Cal, it’s understandable the school needed to locate a replacement quickly. Before I go any further and Arkansas folks become offended my statement is unrelated to any criticism of the state. How will this domino move affect both Arkansas and Kentucky?

247Sports.com rates the Class of 2024 Kentucky as the number two recruited class in the nation, Arkansas number 27. This is a developing story which is unlikely to end soon, stay connected for updates. Prior to publication freshman Aaron Bradshaw decided to enter the transfer portal and Top 25 prospect Karter Knox decommitted aware of the breaking news. As for the headline just last week I said something to the affect Calipari would remain at Kentucky. I had no clue he wanted out as indicated in a related story, its claimed this has been a topic since February for Cal. Oh well I guess I can’t be correct all the time.

International basketball

I have a partial answer due to the research I conducted. Question if I asked, “What nation excluding the US has produced the most NBA talent?” Think about an answer for a few minutes, is it Serbia, Germany, France or one of the nations on the African continent? If you named any nation except this one you are incorrect, the nation providing the NBA with the most talent is…. Canada. Yes, the country we in the US share a 5,225 mile or 8891.626 km border.

The border with our northern neighbor stretches from Washington state on the west coast to Maine on the east coast, in the US we share so much with our Canadian neighbors I find it difficult to refer to the nation as “International.” At the beginning of the season NBA rosters contained 27 players the most from anywhere in the world, I do have questions. As an example Matas Buzelis was born in Chicago however his parents are from Lithuania, Buzelis was listed as a prospect on a number of websites. If he were a 19-year-old in his parents’ home nation his name would be known however there would be no Rivals or 247Sports rating. Without research I would guess Domantas Sabonis Kings forward faced a comparable situation. He was born in Portland Oregon while his father Arvydas played for the Blazers, mom and dad are from Lithuania.

Canadian athletes are not listed on any US sites, I’m real curious how do college coaches uncover a Jamal Murray or Shai-Gilgeous Alexander? A usual item I believe is location, my research indicates the vast majority of Canadian NBA players hail from the surrounding Toronto metro. I’m unsure if all high schools contend on the basketball court but there appears to be a substantial number that do. Finally I close with the question is Canadian basketball truly international, I don’t think so but my vote doesn’t count?

The future face of the NBA 

LeBron James has hinted at retirement and we are certainly aware Steph Curry is close too, they are the face of the NBA. Both are in the twilight of their outstanding NBA careers, who replaces them in the eyes of those who follow the game? They are active now and perhaps one or two in the future yet unnamed. Do you know them, of course you do. They have the talent the hope is they are able to avoid injury which might shorten their career.

None require an introduction, we begin with the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama. Wemby just had birthday number 20 in January and what he’s accomplished thus far says ‘bright NBA future.’ I remember seeing Ant Man, Anthony Edwards in action one time while at Georgia. Mizzou defense did a number on him and they won the game. Edwards scored but took a bunch of shots and failed to impress me. I’m impressed now after a couple of seasons in the NBA and he is only 22 years old. The Don is his nickname, Mavs point guard Luka Doncic age 25 and the foundation for his team. Jayson Tatum of the Celtics, I have a friend who is a Celtic fan. He would argue with me 26-year-old Tatum doesn’t belong on this list, guess what…it’s my list. One of the smoothest players I’ve witnessed in quite a while is Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and he fits along with the others, he’s only 25-years old

The last name is going to surprise you for more than one reason. He won't turn 18 until December 21, in addition as this is written he's only played high school basketball, a test remains for college and the NBA. It’s Cooper Flagg who will arrive on the Campus of Duke in the fall. As some might be aware he is the top HS prospect in the Class of 2024. The 6 foot 9 Flagg wowed the gathering at legendary Rucker Park in Harlem last summer. That’s enough for me to include him in the count however not for all, Keenan says “I must see him in college at least.” Keep in mind these are the contenders, that’s not to say all will reach the status of a LeBron or Steph. I do believe out of this list will be the one or maybe two faces of the NBA for the future. Who was omitted, Ja Morant (age 24) for one and in his instance it wasn’t injury it was the other thing. I could add Tyrese Haliburton (age 23) and Chet Holmgren (age 21) to consider as well.