Basketball from a fans perspective

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I am subject to pushback

My list of Top 10 Duke players was missing one Kyrie Irving, this was pointed out to me after publishing. The first criteria I utilized in compiling my list had nothing to do with NBA success or lack of. The second topic, length of time they played for Duke. In this day with One n Done athletes over the last 10-15 years no one remains in school for 4 years. The list contains the name of Zion Williamson but omits Kyrie Irving, in this instance my decision was based on length of time.

Williamson played an entire season before declaring for the NBA draft. In the case of Irving he appeared in only 11 games 8 of which he was the starter in the 2010-11 season, a toe injury caused him to miss 26 games his freshman year. At the end of that first season Irving declared for the NBA draft, just like Bronny James earlier this year. Irving was not ready to play in the NBA or at least that’s what I believed at the time. Of course Irving would prove me wrong…maybe in the case of Bronny James it happens again. Irving might be the most talented of the Duke bunch although he failed to make the final cut. I could say all around ability Grant Hill might give Irving a run for his money, Hill could be included in a discussion on talent.

A different Summer League

I admit it, the 2024 Summer League was different for me this time around. My schedule prevented me from seeing as many games as I intended. In addition my concentration was focused on Bronny James. As much as I attempted to avoid this it existed, with only highlights I didn’t see him often the him is Emoni Bates of the Cavs. I have often said offensive stats are our only measurement at times. That fact alone often betrays an athletes net worth. Michael Cooper of the Lakers is being inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame despite an 8.9 ppg average, he was a defensive stalwart for the Showtime Lakers.

The point is stat numbers don’t always provide us an accurate picture. Back to the subject of Bates. As for his Summer League play his 17.2 and 6 rebounds a game were decent numbers, he failed to take a volume of shots but his 40% from three is outstanding. His TO number was also acceptable, the one area I’m unable to see is his decision making. That seem to be the primary concern of the coaching staff but that’s somewhat questionable. It was mentioned Bates has had three head coaches in the last year which can create confusion and mixed messages. I keep rooting for the kid I first read of when he was a high school sophomore, the one who was High School Gatorade Player of the Year.

Be careful, be incredibly careful    

Reports are circulating again that the Lakers are attempting to trade D’Angelo Russell. If this should occur it will be the second time they have traded the talented point guard. If a player is released its far different from a trade in my view, a trade should be for both teams to satisfy a need. As for Russell I hope a trade helps the Lakers, in their history I believe they have traded a few players too soon. Just a few names of past members who exited too soon in my view.

JaVale McGee, he and Dwight Howard were key to Laker success in the post in 2020. What are the Lakers searching for in 2024…a post player? Guard Jordan Clarkson, Sixth Man of the Year for the Jazz in 2021, no more to say here. Did I say center, how about Ivica Zubac despite his limited time they traded him to the Clippers in 2019 where he continues to perform adequately. How about point guard Nick “At Night” Van Exel and Eddie Jones? I probably have bored you already so I’m going to stop at this point. Let’s just say there are a number of players the Lakers should have kept.

He is known for the dunk

Frederick Weis is the name, unless you are a basketball fanatic his name might be unknown. Weis is 47-years old now, the 7-foot 2 260-pound giant has long since retired from basketball. As for the dunk it occurred at the 2000 Olympics and for all the world to see, it was Weis who was posterized. Vince Carter had a reputation as a high fly dunk artist and that would be the case here. Carter got the ball on a steal with only Weis standing in his path, the 6-foot 6-inch Carter spread his legs and went “over the top” of his 7-2 opponent. The French media tagged it, ‘le dunk de la mort” or “the dunk of death.” Aside from the dunk what occurred for Weis, a bunch of upset Knick fans.

In the 1999 draft Ron Artest (from Queens) had gone on to play for St. John’s, he was a worthy choice for the Knicks. What occurred, with the number 15 pick in the first round the Knicks chose Weis, pick number 16 would be Artest by the Bulls. The history says Weis played in the NBA Summer League but never signed a contract. His agent was a minority owner of CSP Limoges and encouraged Weis to remain in France. Over the next few years Weis would play for a number of teams all in Europe. Life can sometimes be a roller coaster and it was for Weis dealing with a number of life altering events. Today he is a television analyst for French league games, could an NBA career have been possible for Weis, it certainly was conceivable we just don’t have the answer.

The explanation is simple

If you watched Team USA versus Serbia you heard booing when Joel Embiid entered the game or touched the basketball. Perhaps you heard the explanation of the announcer or what was written here or another publication. Embiid is originally from the central African nation of Cameroon. Not counting return trips Embiid has been in the U.S. since the age of 16, he’s now 30 years of age. A history explanation not connected to basketball, In colonial times the nation of Embiid’s birth was first a German colony, after World War I the nation was divided between France and Great Britain.

January 1, 1960, Cameroon gained its independence from France, in addition to the native languages spoken French also became an official language. Embiid and his countryman grew up speaking multiple languages including French. Several years ago Embiid indicated he would represent France in the Olympics. Two years or so in the past Joel Embiid became an American citizen, although he holds dual citizenship he chose to play for Team USA. The change he made upset a segment of the French population thus the booing. Expect the boos to continue as Team USA continues to advance to the next round.