Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Should I go or should I stay

The Yankees under the late George Steinbrenner were notorious for changing managers. The NFL Raiders have been conducting business in an equivalent manner with coaches. It’s been a revolving door with Laker head coaches over the last few years, no one hired seems to make it past year three. Could that issue have been in the mind of Dan Hurley despite the money apparently the Lakers were tossing in his direction? News not so surprising this time around involving Hurley, while working on the Monday edition came this announcement. “Dan Hurley turns down $70 million 6-year contract to remain with the Huskies. At the time this story broke it caught me off guard to the point I was shocked and surprised.

This time around I no longer feel that way for one reason alone. Hurley met with Laker owner Jeanie Buss and GM Rod Pelinka last Friday, we then receive word an announcement would be made on Monday. We read earlier a report indicating Hurley had met with his team (we guess the administration too). Why was it necessary to wait until Monday if a decision had been reached? I’m a little disappointed but understand why Hurley chose to remain at UConn. I have no idea who now moves up to the number one position, I wasn’t concerned as much when I heard the name Hurley as I am now. I’ve expressed my concern about JJ Redick’s lack of a coaching background. I truly hope he’s not hired for the inability to lockdown Hurley, I guess Phil Jackson might still be available…just kidding.

Lock down defender

The primary reason the Celtics are up 2 Games to none is not who you might believe. It’s not Jayson Tatum, Jaylin Brown or Derrick White…it’s Jrue Holiday. A few in the Celtic family thought the Celtics might suffer a bit on the defensive side, Marcus Smart had played that key role for years. Last June the Celtics traded Smart to the Grizzlies and later in October acquired Holiday. As they might say in one of those old Western movies, “There’s a brand-new sheriff in town.” Of course by now the Celtic faithful have become enamored with Holiday and the fact he is a lock down defender.

Guess what, don’t tell anyone he may be better playing defense over Smart. It’s a fact Holiday is certainly a better scorer, Sunday night it wasn’t Tatum or Brown leading the Celtics to the 105-98 victory. It was Jrue Holiday with 26 points, and at 6 foot 4 he led in rebounds with 11. It wasn’t Holiday alone I can say the Celtic backcourt mate Derrick White played a valued role as well. The teams now head for Dallas and Game 3 on Wednesday, the Mavs are definitely at a point facing elimination. One other opinion, Kyrie Irving’s game has been severely affected, allow me to say it one more time, it was lock down defender Jrue Holiday.

Are they from Missouri?

The question is asked for a single reason, it is easy to reserve an opinion rather than stick your foot in your mouth. I located a YouTube video prior to the start of the 2023-24 NBA season. Two former NBA All Stars questioned the ability of Victor Wembanyama, they didn’t say point blank he couldn’t play. They questioned his ability, that thought process lingered into the early days of NBA play. One Shaquille O’ Neal made a statement which remains for me in the recesses of my mind. “We’ve seen Wemby previously, his name is Bol Bol and he plays for the Suns.” Later Shaq would amend his statement claiming Bol didn’t get an opportunity to play enough minutes.

Much later it was “Bol is lazy” which didn’t rest well with the Suns player. By the end of the season and winning Rookie of the Year Shaq changed his tune on Wemby. Every word spoken by a broadcaster cannot be filtered, there are occasions when dumb statements are made. What’s always become a point of confusion is what’s the truth? There are occasions statements are made to register the number of clicks one can receive, I hope that was not the case for Shaq and his opinion of Wemby. As for the headline I remind you of the Missouri State motto, “I’m from Missouri you have to Show Me.” As for Shaq and others maybe that was issue although none are from here.

All these offers

This is one of those stories you say to yourself no-way, is that even possible? His name is Nolan Traore and he’s a 17-year-old from France (naturally). According to what we read there are offers on the table for the 6-foot 4-combo guard to play all over the world. To start there are offers from at least four U.S. colleges Duke and Arkansas among the number but wait there is more. He could head to Australia and the NBL if he desired but there is also the Euro League to consider too.

Traore’s decided to remain in France and has signed a two-year contract to play for Saint-Quentin in the French first division. As for the NBA there are three mock draft sites that list him as a first-round pick. So what does the future entail for the youngster…plenty, if he continues to develop his game he could head to the NBA in 2025 despite the contract, he would not be the first Euro player to buy out of a contract to head for the NBA. Traore is a name we should store away for the future and one we shouldn’t be surprised to hear announced in a future draft.