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.

What’s done is done

Rudy Gobert was named 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Check out these numbers:

Victor Wembanyama   

254 blocked shots        

88 steals                                        

105.8 defensive rating     

Rudy Gobert

162 blocked shots

52 steals

104.5 defensive rating

In college and now the NBA

The resurgent Knicks have been supported by three players from Villanova. Although none of them arrived in New York by the draft that’s how they find themselves today. The leader of the group is Jalen Brunson, he was selected in the second round by the Mavs. After four years with the Mavs July 12, 2022, he signed a free agent contract with the Knicks. June 2017 saw Josh Hart drafted by the Jazz however his rights were later traded to the Lakers. In July 2019 Hart along with several others was traded to the Pelicans and later the Blazers, in February 2023 Hart was traded to the Knicks. 

The last member of the trio, Donte DiVincenzo was a Bucks pick in 2018, later he would play for the Kings and Warriors before a free agent signing with the Knicks in July 2023. So there you have it the brief story how three Villanova teammates all reunited with the Knicks and aid the team during the regular season and into the playoffs. I’m unsure if this number of college teammates have become NBA teammates ever in history. In the Game two victory (130-121) we saw Brunson with 29 points, 5 assists and 3 steals, for Hart it was 19 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Finally it was DiVincenzo adding 28 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. It was more than simply the numbers for this trio, they are the glue of this Knicks team. 

Rebuild what exactly

The Laker fan website pointed to the fact the Lakers should look at a rebuild. It struck me odd for several reasons, LeBron remains in place and will probably return. In addition AD (if not traded) also remains but what about the balance of the roster? The Lakers had a number of young players on the team who didn’t play, they didn’t play because this veteran team was in the playoff race all season. Let’s check out who is there, we have Colin Castleton a 6-foot 10 center, he’s 23-years old. There is 6-foot 5 guard Max Christie age 21, Jaxson Hayes 7-foot center age 23- and 6-foot 5 guard Jalen Hood-Schifino age 20 and guard D’Moi Hodge age 25.

That’s only 5 names just a portion of the roster, keep in mind none of the names mention has truly been tested for a lengthy period. The Lakers have no first round pick in 2024 but they do have a second-round choice, so that is one additional youthful member to consider. LeBron will soon be gone but whoever is the coach must begin allowing his team to have their baptism of fire. Consider this fact, although Kobe Bryant was on the roster he didn’t play much early because the Lakers were a veteran team. Coach Del Harris sent Kobe into a playoff game and during a crucial period managed to shoot two air balls. That was his baptism of fire, infuse the young players into the lineup as much as possible. They cannot learn how to play in the NBA sitting on the bench.

Loyalty

I never heard the name Jeremy Sanchez prior to reading his name. Sanchez will be a preferred walk-on at Mizzou in August, what’s the loyalty or connection it’s the coach. The explanation is this, you might be aware a number of Cleveland State players followed Dennis Gates to Mizzou Sanchez was not one of them. He would go on to play for Division II St. Leo University in St. Leo Florida, I had to check the map. The town is located in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro. In any event Sanchez in his portal year decided to connect with his coach once again so that’s the loyalty and connection. He certainly is not going to arrive in Columbia with any fanfare, he’s a 6-foot 170-pound guard who filled a reserve role at Cleveland State.