Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Can this be correct

The Lakers were set to hire JJ Redick as head coach, this was the account according to Shams Charania reporter for The Athletic and Stadium where he covers the NBA. At some point I’m not exactly sure of the timing Adrian Wojnarowski nicknamed Woj broke the news on his version. Woj an NBA Insider and ESPN reporter claimed the Lakers were attempting to hire Dan Hurley UConn coach. By now we are aware of the outcome, Hurley interviewed with Laker management but turned them down however the story doesn’t end there.

It’s now being reported Charania and Woj are feuding in print, Charania is claiming Hurley was not the Lakers first choice although that is assertion made by Woj. Even more interesting this is like a father-son feud, it’s also been reported Charania looks on Woj as his mentor. As this story is being written it’s being reported it’s now JJ Redicks turn, he will be interviewed by Laker management soon. This leaves me (and you maybe) smack in the middle on this one, who do we believe to be correct. Over time I have found both members of the media to be insightful, neither appears to delve in hyperbole so that leaves us with a gigantic question mark, which media member to believe.

The 2024 (French) NBA draft

Recently I profiled Alexandre Sarr and pointed to the fact he might be the top pick in the 2024 draft. At least two mock draft sites I utilize profiled the players listed below. We witnessed Victor Wembanyama but don’t expect every French import to duplicate his rookie season. As for Sarr it would appear he’s got several countryman who are likely to be drafted too. Zaccharie Risacher is liable to be a lottery pick as well, he’s a 6-foot 9 200-pound small forward, he’s also 19-years of age.

Much later we should hear the name Tidjane Saluan also 6 foot 9 and 210 pounds. We also have Pacome Dadiet a 6-foot 8 210-pound small forward, finally in the second round is Melvin Ajinca a 6-foot 8 200 pound forward. Five players who might be drafted out of 30 is certainly not a tidal wave as some might lead you to believe. I read what some of you have written, your concern regarding international players “taking over the NBA.” Guess what, I’m an individual whose desire is to see the best basketball played. If that measured improvement calls for adding international talent so be it.

Bits n Pieces 

Zach Edey is headed to the NBA, the 7-foot 4 300-pound Purdue center is going to fool some folks. While he’s headed off to the NBA who replaces him? I’m glad you ask the question because I have the answer, he is freshman Daniel Jacobsen. He’s almost as tall as Edey standing 7 foot 3 but is lighter in the pants at 235 pounds, 247Sports rates him a 4-star prospect. He played at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire about 40 miles from the state’s capitol at Concord. I hope the Purdue faithful will allow the youngster to gain traction, there is a gigantic leap from prep school to Division I basketball. In any event we intend to follow his collegiate progress over the next four years. For Purdue this becomes subtract one (Edey) while adding one (Jacobsen).

“I’m athletic” are the words of Mavs point guard Luka Doncic, the question for you is do you believe him? To take this one step further the entire quote is: “I’m athletic in different ways they don’t see…not everything is jumping and running fast.” I can agree with that statement everything is not jumping and running. Whatever your belief this is not intended to alter it, I once read Magic Johnson and believe he might agree with Luka on his statement. Let’s move this conversation to defending the opposition, Magic never claimed to be a great defender. He did say, “I played good team defense” which is about all you can ask of any basketball player. Can we agree Luka does a decent job without being super athletic as with some NBA players?

Recruiting players (college) versus recruiting free agents (NBA), both can be stressful so I am going to consider that a draw with neither position superior over the other. There is always off duty work however the NBA season is much longer than college…advantage college. As vocal as fans can become they are not the deciders of a coaches fate, the same could be said of a school’s administrative staff. In the NBA, its management in charge…they listen to the fans but it’s rare if an NBA coach is terminate without cause…advantage NBA.

El devolver, the NBA is headed to Mexico City again, we discussed expansion earlier but it’s not that. The game is a regular scheduled season game between the Heat and Wizards. The game is scheduled for Saturday November 2 and will be the 33rd NBA game played in Mexico since 1992. The date of the game is a tie in with traditional Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities. Since the announcement by commissioner Silver I’ve read a number of complaints from a number of fans. As in all cases opinions are just that, they belong to the individual(s) expressing them.  

The Way of the World

In 1975 the musical group Earth Wind and Fire (look them up) released a song titled the Way of the World. We could make the same statement about basketball and much of what goes on, it’s the Way of much of the basketball World today. You may be familiar with the name Meleek Thomas, ESPN rates him the number 7 prospect in the Class of 2025. The news regarding him is quite interesting, not the fact he’s headed to Overtime Elite it’s the other part. This from ESPN, “I did everything I needed to do where I’m from,” Thomas said. “We won back-to-back state championships.

Now it’s time to be seen by NBA personnel, GMs, scouts, the people that you need to be in front of. At OTE they get your name out. Everything they do goes around the world. I want to be broadcasted more.” To provide additional background Thomas is a 6-foot 4 combo guard and is from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. I hope this doesn’t appear negative on my part but my concern the youngster might be blinded by the bright lights. I hope if I’m here to write it hearing the commissioner announce his name in 2-3 years. I anticipate the adults surrounding Thomas are providing him sound advice without curtailing his dream.