Basketball from a fan’s perspective

The Rules 

1. Never match players from different eras against one another.

2. A nickname is given, a player cannot bestow a handle on himself.

3. Comparing draft choice ensure the player you use as the example is well known.

4. Become well acquainted with basketball abbreviations or phrase

5. Research high school prospect sites periodically, they are a valuable source.

6. NBA mock draft sites are a reference tool only, an analyst opinion.

7. Don’t attempt to invoke humor discussing a serious event or person.

99

To no one’s surprise Victor Wembanyama was named 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year. In any other year Thunder forward Chet Holmgren or Hornet forward Brandon Miller would have been able to challenge Wemby for the honor. Both players transition to the NBA was just as smooth as Wemby…the French youngster just exceeded their effort. That is not the case for the 2023-24 NBA season, this is the year of The Alien as LeBron’s dubbed Wemby.

The Spurs rookie has other pending honors, he will be named a member of the All-NBA Rookie First Team. He stands an outside chance of winning Defensive Player of the Year, in any event Wemby will be named to the first team here too. Did I mention he led the NBA in blocked shots, I’m unsure if there is a trophy for that. Just in case you questioned the headline, the maximum number of votes a player could receive for Rookie of the Year is 99. Wemby received all 99 votes making him the unanimous choice, the first since Karl-Anthony Towns in 2016.

Say it ain’t so Woj

In Laker news, tell me it ain't so. ESPN Insider Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting the Lakers have   contacted JJ Redick about becoming the next head coach for the team. I trust Woj, he’s always been one of the media voices that is sound and reasonable although there are times I don’t agree with him. Should I remind the Lakers the last two times recently an NBA coach was hired without prior experience? Jason Kidd (2013) and Steve Nash (2020), both of them excellent players but bad head coaches.

Of course I cannot make the same claim now, Kidd is now on his 3rd head coaching stop, he functions effectively in that role now. There were missteps for Kidd in his tenure with the Nets and later with the Bucks, as for is time with the Mavs it appears smooth sailing. In connection with the news of a coaching search Tyronn Lue and Jason Kidd owe the Lakers a great deal of thanks. With the Lakers seeking a head coach and hearing the names mentioned the Mavs quickly signed Kidd to an extension, the Clippers have begun work on one for Lue.

Did I miss this

The Mizzou basketball coaching staff plus Mizzou Nation is looking toward the Class of 2024 anxiously. Despite this fact we are checking the future-future, in this instance I’m unsure if this story was reported earlier. This past December Mizzou received a verbal commit from point guard Aaron Rowe, he’s rated a 4-star prospect by 247Sports in the Class of 2025. Rowe is slight, he stands 6 feet and weighs 155 pounds but rest assured, the staff will have him in the weight room on day one.

You might find this next portion interesting, there will be little Rowe has to accomplish familiarizing himself with the campus and City of Columbia. He will enter his senior year in August at Father Tolton High School in Columbia, according to Google Maps Rowe’s school is located 5.3 miles or 8.52952 km from Mizzou Arena. Recruiting is an ongoing process despite the advent of the transfer portal, there are additional prospects the coach and his staff are scouting. As we arrive closer to a commitment the names will be revealed at that time.

Only 7

I have no idea if this feat can be documented, it certainly appears correct from what I’ve read and heard over the years regarding Kareem Abdul Jabbar. A blogger claims only 7 players in NBA history blocked Kareem’s skyhook, he even names the players that were able to accomplish the deed:

Wilt Chamberlain

Hakeem Olajuwon

Nate Thurmond

Bill Walton

Robert Parish

Ralph Sampson

Bill Willoughby

This blogger indicates his research reports there are others who blocked Kareem’s skyhook however they were all negated by a goal tend being called. 7 blocked shots in a 20-year NBA career is an amazing accomplishment in itself. As for the players I’m sure a few of the names might be unknown or unfamiliar to you, take time and research them.