Basketball from a fans perspective 

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“Never underestimate the heart of a champion”

Rudy Tomjanovich uttered the words at the time he coached the Rockets to an NBA Championship. I’ve always been led to believe it was meant to say to all no one has the ability to look inside a person and be able to determine their ability, talent or work ethic. Oftentimes all must be developed, if we look at an athlete at any particular stage we sometimes believe they were blessed with God given talent. Probably the majority were but it had to be developed. Recently I read a scouting report on the Dodgers Shoei Ohtani.

The report on Ohtani questioned if he would ever be able to hit major league pitching. This season he’s accomplished a feat no one in the 175 year history of baseball has ever done. As this is written early Sunday afternoon Ohtani’s totaled 52 home runs along with 53 stolen bases. In the NFL safety Deron Cherry of the Chiefs wasn’t drafted in 1981, it was said scouts considered him “too slow.” During his 10-year career Cherry was 3X First Team NFL, 2X Second Team and was a Pro Bowl honoree 6X. Cherry also has been honored being named to the Chiefs Hall of Fame. You’ve heard the follow story numerous times. this story numerous times, Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, look at him now.

Anytime we discuss the GOAT who’s name is always part of the conversation. I might give scouts a bit of a break regarding Steph Curry after all in high school he was 5 foot 8 inches and 150 pounds. This from Dub Nation a scouting report regarding the 2009 Curry. “He is too small to guard NBA shooting guards and he shoots too much to be a NBA point guard. In the pros, he won’t have the green light to fire up as many threes as in college. In 2009, threes are still regarded as a complementary weapon but not something you can build a championship team around. It is well known in 2009 that you can’t win a trophy just shooting jump shots.” I wonder if the scout who wrote that report on Curry is still analyzing basketball talent or even if he’s still employed.

Top International player

Hoopshype published a list of the Top 40 International NBA players. There is no requirement from me to compile a list, there are only two vying for the top spot. Hakeem Olajuwon from Nigeria and Dirk Nowitzki of Germany, neither of them were the first foreign players to arrive on these shores. These two might have been the best based on their Naismith Hall of Fame enshrinement. It’s clear they have been placed on the pedestal by someone besides me. 7 foot center Olajuwon arrived on these shores and began play for the University of Houston.

That first year many thought he’d be on his way back to Nigeria, he was plain unimpressive. His work ethic prevailed while enrolled at Houston and by the end of his junior year he was ready to tackle NBA play. The Houston Rockets of the NBA with ample opportunity to witness his play chose him with the first pick in the 1984 NBA draft. Olajuwon would lead his Rockets team to back to back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. His footwork around the basket was a thing of beauty, the media even gave it a name titling it “The Dream Shake.” Olajuwon raw to the game of basketball would later claim soccer (football) was responsible for his moves around the basket. In 2008 Olajuwon was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. After a few years playing in his native Germany Dirk Nowitzki submitted his name for the 1998 NBA draft. Although he was a member of the Mavs from 1994 through 2019 they didn’t draft him. In 1998 the Bucks drafted him with the 9th pick in the first round.

Nowitzki’s rights were traded to the Mavs which turned out to be his only NBA team. Nowitzki would be a prolific scorer during his NBA career, he scored over 31,000 points during his time. In addition he helped lead the Mavs to the 2011 NBA championship. With a height of 7 feet he might have been the first to not play the post…his days were spent as a power forward. In 2023 Nowitzki was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. For me anytime a discussion revolves around the top international players these are the two names most highly regarded. Perhaps one day Victor Wembanyama might be mentioned in the same breath.

It's early

Although the Mizzou roster is ripe with a bunch of freshman players I decided to look at 2025. On3.com not only provides a name but they also provide an estimate if that prospect is headed to a particular school. As for 2025 they list Mizzou with 4 players who may or may not head to Columbia next August. On3 assigns a percentage where the prospect might be headed. With the exception of one here are the names, position they play and their rating, with that said here goes:

*Aaron Rowe 6 foot 1 165 pound point guard 4-stars

Efeosa Oliogu 6 foot 6 220 pound small forward 4-stars

Nicholas Randall 6 foot 10 230 pound power forward 3-stars

Chuck Love Jr. 6 foot 7 185 pound small forward 3-stars

*verbal commit December 2023

It’s highly likely this list will contain additions and subtractions by August 2025 when school begins. So this represents the Class of 2025 prospects associated with Mizzou.

What do you want man….

If we travel back in time some will remember this, the Lakers acquired Andre Drummond at the trade deadline in 2021. The veteran center would play 22 games before signing a free agent contract with the Sixers at the end of the season. If you remember Anthony Davis was unhappy complaining Drummond was “taking up space” he normally utilized. Drummond was then and now no offensive threat but he did clog the lane and was able to rebound the ball and take a lob pass on occasion. My hope was the Lakers would make an effort to sign him for another season and then WHAM he’s gone.

Why am I giving you this history, that’s easy we are preparing for the 2024-25 season. Davis has indicated “I’d like to play beside a center.” This comment is interesting based on the fact he’s indicated his lack of desire to play center. If the Lakers acquire Jonas Valanciunas it must occur at the trade deadline, he signed with the Wizards in the off season. The Lakers at least for a time must play Jaxson Hayes or Summer League center Colin Castleton, finally there is Christian Wood but he will be out for a time based on his surgery. I’m not sure who might be available on waivers so it would appear AD is in the post for the time being whether he likes it or not.