Basketball from a fan’s perspective

Woj

ESPN’s Adrian (Woj) Wojnarowski was the first to report the story, he stated the Lakers are talking to UConn’s Dan Hurley to become the team’s head coach. This move caught everyone including yours truly shocked and surprised. The leading candidate has been reported the last week or so to be former NBA player JJ Redick. Nothing has been confirmed as this is written, it’s 5:50 p.m. Central Time on Thursday. The report indicated “The Lakers were prepared to offer Hurley a massive contract.”

It’s possible the hire could be affirmed later this evening we must wait and see. As for the move itself I wrote recently Hurley is one of my favorite coaches i.e., at the collegiate level. How would he adjust to coaching in the NBA, I have no idea but lets check with a few coaches in recent years. The Cavs hired David Blatt however he only lasted two seasons, Tyronn Lue would be the coach responsible for Cleveland’s first championship in 2016. The Nets hired Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash, he lasted all of two seasons. Darvin Ham’s resume wasn’t extensive however he was fired after two seasons. What do Blatt, Nash and Ham have in common, all had no experience as head coaches? There is one other theme, none of those named lasted more than two seasons.

In the instance of Nash and Ham both played in the NBA but it failed to aid them in their quest to lead their teams. The question, should Hurley become Laker coach the road is strewn with land mines, I believe key to success is to assemble a veteran coaching staff which hopefully will aid Hurley. I’ve been in the coaches corner for several years optimistically speaking if hired Hurley could become a successful head coach.

This is different for me

I am the opposite of most you will read and hear from, I’m okay with one aspect of the change in NBA television coverage. Most are lamenting Inside the NBA will disappear from your television set, this is only one element. I hold no grudges but have believed for a while the program has run its course. Viewers have voiced their opinions how much they love the effervescent Charles Barkley and the persona he presents. I don’t watch Inside the NBA much, but it seems in the early days it was quite informative, that does not appear to be the case now.

It appears to me at least Barkley’s personality has long overshadowed Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal. I loved Shaq as a Laker, in this role not so much. As with opinions as often stated everyone has one, the only question Barkley’s view of a subject has been off base. Yes, unfortunately I am one of the few with an opposing view of Inside the NBA. It the program “migrates” to NBC, ESPN or Amazon I’m still okay, I make that statement because I don’t view Barkley and crew anyway. I realize my observation of Inside the NBA is opposed to the majority reading this but that’s okay. Your viewing habits belong to you, this is certainly making no attempt on my part to change them.

The BAL

Have you seen any of the games of the Basketball Africa League? If you have access to NBA TV, you might catch a game or two occasionally…I have even though I’m unfamiliar with any of the players. The BAL is new having been founded in 2019 by the NBA and FIBA. The season runs from March to May and there are 12 BAL teams divided into 3 conferences.

Nile Conference-Libya, Central African Republic, Uganda and Egypt

Sahara Conference-Rwanda, Tunisia, Senegal and Nigeria

Kalahari Conference-South Africa, Angola, Burundi and Morocco

The BAL does not cover the continent entirely there are several nations who don’t field teams in this league or FIBA. As basketball continues to grow in Africa the BAL can only continue to grow and increase the number of league teams in the future. A portion of the growth can be attributed to the NBA Africa Academy, founded in 2017, the academy is located in Saly, Senegal and is operated by the NBA. The academy offers education and basketball training, in addition it’s been pointed out a number of academy players have moved to the BAL and other pro leagues. Back to the BAL, it doesn’t appear near the level of Euro league basketball but given time should rise to that level one day.

Bits n Pieces

I am always bragging about Lakers scouting, they managed to miss twice on a couple of outstanding players. Not only did they overlook them both were drafted by the Celtics. In 2016 the Lakers had an opportunity to draft Jaylen Brown with the second pick, they passed deciding in favor of Brandon Ingram. Nothing wrong with the choice, however, as you are aware Ingram’s not been a Laker for a number of years. The following year 2017 the Lakers decided in favor of Lonzo Ball with the second pick while the Celtics immediately after with the third pick chose Jason Tatum.

Remember Carlos Boozer, this former Duke player who had an extensive NBA career for several teams. The next generation twin son’s Cameron and Cayden are outstanding players at Columbus HS in Miami (FL). Rivals awards Cameron 5-stars and the number two prospect in the Class of 2025. Cameron’s frame closely resembles his father, he’s 6 foot 9 and 225 pounds. Brother Cayden is awarded 4-stars and is the number 20 prospect in the Class of 2025. Cayden is smaller than his brother standing 6 foot 4 and 205 pounds, the brothers are uncommitted as this is written…will it be Duke when the decision is finally made?

Check this out, to detail the fluid nature of college basketball these days we need only look at Mizzou’s program. This is not intended to point out movement is greater for Mizzou than other programs its meant to detail player transit. 10 players left the program due to expired eligibility or decided to transfer to other schools. Of the present roster 5 players decided to remain, while 6 others were added to the roster in the transfer portal. Mizzou was able to add 5 players with the Class of 2024 freshman. As you can see quite a bit of movement over a short space of time.

What are they trying to accomplish? It seems the Lakers have me more confused at any point in time I can remember in the past. Are they trying to get young, they will have the 17th pick in the 2024 draft? On the other hand, I’m reading rumors they might acquire 35-year-old DeMar DeRozan (August 2024). In the case of DeRozan, he’s a proven veteran who can do a bunch of good things for them, the second part of the question don’t the Lakers have a mix of veterans with nearly the same skill set? With no coach hired at this point GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss have me and other Laker fans confused as to what they are trying to achieve. Looming over these events is Bronny James, how much of a distraction has his draft status impacted decision making?