Basketball from a fans perspective

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Breakout game

How do I consider 12 points and 5 for 11 shooting from the floor a breakout game. As you are aware the Lakers Bronny James has struggled in his attempt to earn his NBA stripes in Summer League play. The problem for him is LeBron James, the father is not pressuring the son however the son feels pressure. Here’s my take on the matter, there will be no one satisfied even with this game. They will expect Bronny to dominate in a manner of his famous father and that is not possible.

He doesn’t possess the physical prowess of LeBron and certainly unfairly he will be compared to his father. Bronny must ignore social media and the comments of NBA players. As for the others, Stephen A. Smith, Jason Whitlock and others are just a great deal of talk. They have never played the game at this level although they desire us to believe they are informed enough to impart aspects of it. More likely they are ill-informed, it was mentioned a few weeks ago but it bears repeating. I wanted the Lakers to draft someone who would benefit the team right now. That is not Bronny James although it could be one day if he’s given time to adjust to NBA play.

Unequal justice

I have no answers just plenty of questions, this represents the series of events. As most of you are aware by now Jontay Porter formerly of the Raptors received a lifetime ban by the NBA for betting on games…okay that portion is clear. A federal judge ruled Porter cannot play in Greece, Porter is yet to be sentenced however there is more here, does the arm of the NBA extend this far? How is he expected to earn a living if he’s prohibited from playing basketball?

In the past several NBA players have received similar bans but to my knowledge none were prohibited from play in Europe. In addition I’ve read several letters from fans questioning the NBA’s decision on a lifetime ban. They point to the fact that in the NBA, NFL and other sports players have been charged and in some instances convicted of domestic violence. Despite the charge eventually the player is allowed to return to the game again. I have no answer, although the NBA has embraced sports betting they look at this different from domestic violence. I’m not saying this view is correct I am only pointing toward what appears to be the case.

A hire

JJ Redick added to his Laker coaching staff with the hire of Lindsey Harding on Tuesday. Harding and Redick have a connection going back to their days at Duke and later with the Sixers according to information detailed. She was a scout and player development coach for the Sixers, as for the new Laker assistant coach she arrives from Stockton where she was named G-League Coach of the Year. She represents one of the few instances a female has served as head coach of a men’s team. After playing basketball at Duke Harding had a 9-year playing career in the WNBA and would later move into the coaching ranks.

In 2019 she took on her first role as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings, from there it was Mexico and then Stockton in the NBA G-League. At this time I’m unsure if the staff is complete however Harding becomes the 4th assistant coach hired since JJ Redick took over. A detailed look at the Lakers for the 2024-25 season is in the works soon so, stand by as I attempt to look at the Lakers on paper for the season. Before Harding was published came news of another assistant, his name Bob Beyer. Beyer arrives from the Hornets although he’s got an extensive amount of time in the role at more than one stop, I believe the coaching staff is now complete

What!

As you are aware by now Kawhi Leonard was replaced on Team USA by Derrick White. A strange thing on the way to Paris occurred recently and requires an explanation. I wasn’t sure of the complete details however since Leonard doesn’t publicly talk we just don’t know. Lawrence Frank president of basketball operations said; “The team was disappointed with USA basketball’s decision to replace Kawhi Leonard.” Frank claimed Leonard was prepared to play for Team USA. He further stated he did not suffer a setback with his surgically repaired knee.

“No, it was USAB’s call and I was quite frankly very disappointed with the decision, Kawhi wanted to play.” Now we are left with questions, did the coaching staff witness something in Leonard’s play that led them to replace him? Remember he played in the first two games against the Mavs in the playoffs but missed the final three games. I posed this question previously, Kawhi Leonard is the ultimate decider on his future in the NBA. Perhaps this occurred, he met with Steve Kerr and other members of the coaching staff and indicated he wasn’t ready to play. Keep in mind this is all speculation on my part, this conversation may or may not have occurred.

Bevo Francis award

I came across the Bevo Francis award while conducting research, it’s an honor probably little known presented to the outstanding small college basketball player. There’s a bunch of criteria necessary for one to qualify for the award but I was more curious who was honored in this manner. Checking the list of past winners I discovered they played at the Division II level or NAIA. Clarence “Bevo” Francis was born September 4, 1932, in Hammonsville Ohio. Bevo played his college basketball at Rio Grande College (now the University of Rio Grande) from 1952-1954. In 1953 the 6 foot 9 Bevo averaged an amazing 48.3 points a game, the note indicate Francis actually score 50.1 points a game.

The NCAA exclude some of the games played because they were against junior college teams. We can only guess scheduling of that type must have been common for small colleges of the era. The following season Francis averaged 48 points including a single game scoring record of 113 points. That total remained the highest in NCAA history until 2012 when Jack Taylor of Grinnell scored 138 points in a game. Francis was Third Team All-American in 1953 and the following year he was named second Team All-American. The portion I find most interesting is his basketball post college, he signed with the Boston Whirlwinds a barnstorming team matched against the Harlem Globetrotters. Francis was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors but must have decided he wanted no part of the NBA. Life after basketball was work at an Ohio steel mill, he worked there 20 years and was six months from his pension when the plant closed. Francis died in 2015 at the age of 82, Bevo Francis is a basketball name few are familiar with however you are.    

Class of 2030

That is no typo, we are discussing the Class of 2030. The prospect in this instance is in the 7th grade which causes you to go WOW. Josh Carter stands 6 foot 6 inches tall and weighs 225 pounds, he plays AAU basketball for Rondo Elite. Rajon Rondo former NBA player has several AAU teams and Rondo Elite contains kids around the Louisville area of Kentucky. After reading about this youngster my first thought, “I wonder how tall I was and my weight in the 7th grade, of course it was nowhere even close to this youngster. His game is described as somewhat similar to Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

I would imagine that might be the case as he’s head and shoulders taller and much larger than his competition. At 12 years of age he is in the fundamental stage of basketball development. Several issues could develop over the next few years which might impact him, despite his height and weight the competition will begin to grow as well. Perhaps he might develop a love for another sport, I’m thinking football with his growth pattern. Carter might not develop love for the game, talent plus skill will only get you so far. Despite the play we see at the professional level the athlete must have love for the game to continue playing a kids game as an adult. Of course the pay, especially in the NBA, helps I would guess.