Basketball from a fans perspective

Job in jeopardy warning!

The head of my research department is to receive a warning letter. He provided me information which was relayed to you that was incorrect. The report of LeBron James and Bronny playing as a father son combination for the Lakers. The Griffey’s were mentioned who played baseball for the Mariners. He failed me, there are two more father-son combos which he failed to provide me. Gordie Howe played hockey with his son’s Mark and Marty. In baseball Tim Raines Sr. played with Tim Raines Jr. as teammates briefly. My research assistant wishes to make an apology regarding the oversight on his part.

Interesting development

Early on its clear at least two of the Lakers feel better about the hire off JJ Redick than me. Point guard D’Angelo Russell has been on the hot seat practically since his return last summer. Center Jaxson Hayes spending the 2023-24 season is also there as well, both players express a desire to remain with the Lakers. Both were pending free agents and announced through their agents an intention to remain with the team.

I cannot provide details on Russell’s ability to play defense…his offensive capability is another story. This past season he was 18 points a game on nearly 46% shooting from the floor, he was a sizzling 41.5% from 3. Russell believes he will thrive with Redick as the head coach. Hayes was in a slightly different role, playing as a reserve center he exhibited strong play at times during the season. The calendar is about to turn over to July, Russell and Hayes are enthusiastic now, it’s yet to be determined how they might feel in January or March. I mentioned the fact to a friend of my belief, I told him Darvin Ham was not a bad guy but he lost the clubhouse.

The shady side of prep school basketball

There is always the good and the bad, in this instance the focus is the negative side. If the Vice channel is available on your cable or satellite system there is documentary I highly recommend you view, it’s titled “Uninterrupted: The Real Story of Basketball.” I need you to see it for yourself and uncover how some of the kids especially those from Africa are exploited and virtually held as prisoners in certain instances.

Don’t misunderstand this is certainly not to criticize all prep schools, there are numerous valid ones in existence. The key problem pointed out early on in the documentary there are no provisions preventing me as an example of opening a prep school if I desired. I own no building large enough to contain classrooms but that doesn’t matter. As for the academic part “students” could be set up with on-line studies, again there is no requirement to place a warm body in front of class attendees. This issue is covered in greater detail than the few sentences presented here, check it out if you are able.

Nepotism

His name is Patty Mills, he’s currently on the roster of the Miami Heat. After four years at St. Mary’s he was drafted in 2009 as the 55th pick in the draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Over the length of his NBA career there have been several NBA stops. In July of 2022 Mills signed a two-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets that pays him $13.28 million. Do you suppose someone might question his value or talent…I suppose so however he got paid. You might not be familiar with the names but bear with me a moment. In 2002 the San Antonio Spurs made Luis Scola the 56th pick in that year’s draft. Scola had a long NBA career concluding with the Brooklyn Nets in 2017…he got paid. In 2011 the Boston Celtics chose E’Twaun Moore the 55th pick in the draft, after signing with the Orlando Magic an injury caused him to be waived in the middle of the 2021-2022 NBA season.

Do you see a pattern here, if not I will attempt to point it out. The Lakers choosing Bronny James with the 55th pick was not wasted, is it nepotism…yes it was. As you might note by some of the following names they had extensive NBA careers maybe not by the team that drafted them but that’s not the question. The key…did they get paid, you bet they did and lucratively by most standards. At this point I can state with conviction future success in the NBA is not guaranteed Bronny James. He is not his father, Bronny James does not have the physical tools nor the ability of his father. Stop trying to make him a clone of his father, he’s not a duplicate despite the parentage. I can close by stating this, barring injury after time spent in the G-League 12-14 points and decent defense will be a mark of success for me regarding Bronny James. If for example he exceeds those projections that’s gravy for the Lakers or whomever he might be playing for at the time, the key…did he or will he be paid?

His name sounds so familiar

Kanon Catchings announced he was signing with BYU last week. Catchings…Catchings…why does the name sound so familiar? After I read on I discovered the 6-foot 8 185-pound forward is the nephew of Tamika Catchings. Tamika former WNBA player and enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. Kanon’s mom also played the game and was drafted into the WNBA but no mention if she played any length of time. There is an additional family connection too, Kanon’s grandfather is Harvey Catchings who played in the NBA for several NBA teams over an 11-year career. As for his grandson Kanon is considered a late bloomer in some circles, he’s awarded 4-stars by 247Sports.com.