Basketball from a fans perspective

This is really not important

The truth of the matter I’m unsure why I’m wasting your time and mine with this. Oh well here goes, did you see the photo released of Team France? Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama are standing almost side by side, do you remember last year? The debate ranged practically all summer…how tall was Wemby? Some reports said he was 7-foot 5, others claimed he was 7-foot 3 and ½ inches tall. Still others indicated Wemby was 7-foot 4, as I stated this went on all summer until training camp began in the fall.

Once official measurements were taken the Spurs indicated Wemby was 7 foot 4, okay the controversy was over…that’s the belief we held at the time. This pre-Olympic photo is released and we start over again, exactly how tall is Wemby. Gobert is officially 7-foot 1 inch tall, if we use that and compare the two my best guess. Wemby is 7-foot 4 ½ inches tall. You are going to read someone with a different conclusion and that’s okay too. I do have a statement and question, after I had my 21st birthday I gained an additional inch and a half in height, I wonder if Wemby is still “growing.”

A mystery

The Lakers have done this in the past, this time they might have outdone themselves. His name, Blake Hinson, he’s 24-years old, much older than any 2024 rookie. Although he went undrafted in the June draft the Lakers signed him to a two-year two-way contract. What in the world is going on with this type of move fans of the franchise want to know. Background information on Hinson is this, he’s 6 foot 7 and weighs 235 pounds with a 10-inch wingspan.

He’s from Florida and attended high school there before transferring to Sunrise Christian Academy in metro Wichita. Hinson spent two seasons at Ole Miss before his arrival at Iowa State, he sat out his first year there due to a medical issue. Later he departed for Pitt where he played the last two seasons. This season just concluded Hinson led the Panthers in scoring with an 18.5 ppg average but this next example is probably why the Lakers signed him. He shot a sizzling 42% from behind the 3-point line. Just in case you wondered this from the ncaa.com rule differences. “3-point line, NCAA: The 3-point line is 22 feet, 1 ¾ inches from the center of the basket. And 21 feet, 7 7/8 inches in the corners of the court. NBA: The 3-point line is 23 feet, 9 inches from the center of the basket in most places, and 22 feet away in the corners of the court.”

As you might note there is a difference in distance between college and the NBA however it’s not nearly the expanse it once was when the NCAA first adopted it. This should not be considered an endorsement of Hinson only an explanation. The downside he’s reported to be an average defender and not much of a playmaker. Despite the negatives the Lakers must believe he’s got something to offer the South Bay Lakers and the parent club. We shall see how his Summer League play develops beginning July 6.

Best ever

This comes from a social media feed, I didn’t originate it. Who are the top players who came directly from high school to the pros? I take issue with it right at the beginning, they failed to include Moses Malone on the list. I am guessing this was done due to the manner he arrived in the NBA. All the names below went directly from high school to the NBA, Malone traveled the same route but went into the American Basketball Association. To me that can be the only reason they failed to include his name, their order is:

LeBron James

Kobe Bryant

Kevin Garnett

Dwight Howard

Tracy McGrady

I cannot disagree with their order just the fact they chose to omit Malone. Consider this tidbit of information, LeBron is still active and Howard is still playing in Taiwan. This is unfair on my part but consider the fact Bryant, Garnett and McGrady are all in the Naismith Hall of Fame. LeBron will be enshrined as soon as he is eligible, I have doubts if Howard is ever elected. With that statement made guess who is in the Naismith Hall of Fame…Moses Malone. One additional note, Malone is an NBA champion with the Sixers in 1983 and Finals MVP.

College basketball news

It slows in the summer below is a bit of news for you. 

Just when we figured there were no more NCAA suits to be filed. Well there is at least one more, 16 former NCAA players have joined a suit against the organization. What do you suppose this is all about, remember the Name, Image and Likeness issue…it’s that. The 16 claim in the suit the NCAA is using their likeness in advertising for March Madness yet none have been reimbursed. I’ll try to keep up with this one.

Remember the account of Big XII basketball scheduling. It turns out both KU and Houston are only going to play new conference member Arizona once. I have no idea who returns for the Wildcats however they finished last season with a 27-9 record. I have doubts if they fail in their first season in the Big XII or whatever this conference is eventually named.

Is TNT preparing for the future, the question might be asked based on broadcast news. Although its not official the new NBA contract if and when it’s signed will leave TNT out of the equation. The network covers more sports than simply the NBA but that is the biggie for them. The Big East Conference signed a six-year contract with Fox, NBC and TNT for telecast of the conference. Do you think they might be preparing for the future?

Dick Vitale’s voice has been missing from ESPN’s college basketball telecasts. As most are aware the 85-year-old has suffered health issues in the last few years. A lymph node was discovered in his neck which showed cancer. By the time you read this his surgery will have been completed, Dickey V. one of the outstanding analyst of college basketball telecasts.

Although he’s now a pro I am going to add this note. When I first became aware of Bronny James transferring from USC I thought “Okay he’s transferring to another school.” I don’t remember what was written exactly but this is my belief, he should remain to acquire additional skill. That was then this is now, of course that didn’t occur, I suppose he’s the winner because he’s getting paid. Wow…he was being paid in the first place through Name, Image and Likeness.