Basketball from a fans perspective 

Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

“The report of my death was an exaggeration”

Samuel Clemens 1835-1910 was better known by his pen name Mark Twain, he was a 19th Century American writer and humorist. The headline above is one he once wrote at a time it had been reported he’d died. That quote works for the Pac-12 as well, team after team departed for other conferences. What remained was two schools, Oregon State and Washington State. The conference was about to go the way of the Southwestern Conference (1914-1996) where Texas, Baylor and other Texas schools played. Rather than sit back and wait for their eventual demise the Pac-12 added members. This growth will be detailed in full after this upcoming season.

Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State will join the Pac-12 July 1, 2026. Utah State and Utah accepted an offer to join in September 2024. On Tuesday came word traditional basketball power Gonzaga will also become a member of the new Pac-12. This is interesting in a number of ways, what stands out for me, with the exception of holdovers Oregon State and Washington State the pending conference member schools with the exception of Gonzaga might be considered mid-majors. The only remaining question, is this the end of moves by the Pac-12? Hardly, UNLV turned them down however they are talking to St. Mary’s and Grand Canyon about membership. This expanded conference will offer competitive football too although it’s the basketball part we are exploring.

A New York thing

This is written Monday morning after the trade that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks. Despite the move it seems I am reading more accounts regarding Mitchell Robinson than KAT. I can say this in truth, coach Tom Thibodeau loves Robinson's play despite his injury history. Regardless of this fact there are NBA teams lining up attempting a trade for post man. Keep in mind he will be sidelined unable to play at least until mid to late December.

Why are so many teams without legitimate centers attempting a trade? Since 2018 when drafted by the Knicks he’s not been much of an offensive threat however that’s not his forte. It’s his defense including an ability to block or affect the oppositions shot. He can score the ball on occasion when challenged, the only Achilles heel for him beside being injury prone is free throw shooting. Robinson is Shaq like from the free throw line. The question might be asked, why is there such a demand for an injured player. Despite his history of injury is it Robinson’s potential or is it simply a New York thing?

I hope their expectations are reasonable

Baylor’s Scott Drew continues his outstanding recruiting, talent is always added to the Bears program. His name is Tounde Yessoufou, originally from the African nation of Benin, he moved to Santa Maria California prior to his freshman year of high school.  By the time his senior year came he would be ranked a 5-star prospect by 247Sports. Yessoufou is a 6 foot 6 inch 210 pound small forward, this continues Drew’s pattern of having at least one 5-star prospect in each recruiting class.

As for the headline as you are aware most pre-season polls place the Kansas Jayhawks number one in the nation. I hope the expectations are reasonable by Jayhawk Nation, I hope they are not expecting the Jayhawks to waltz through their schedule with little if any opposition. Last season Baylor won 24 games and finished in 3rd place during the regular season of the Big XII. I have no idea whose been added to the Baylor roster or might be a holdover, this I believe Drew will have his team ready. As for Yessoufou there were opportunities other than Baylor, Arizona State and Southern Cal were in the picture until Yessoufou’s verbal commitment.

Wingspan

The Lakers announced the signing of Christian Koloko, in addition to his 7 foot height his wingspan is listed as 7’5.25.” Players with vast wingspans are expected to be shot blockers, that is the hope of the Lakers for Koloko. I thought it worth mentioning a few other athletes and their reported wingspans. The late Manute Bol who stood 7-6 had an 8 foot 6 inch wingspan the longest in NBA history, Tacko Fall (7-6) is no longer in the NBA, his wingspan was measured at 8 feet 2 inches. Surprise at third, Victor Wembanyama (7-4) was measured at 8 feet, this next name might surprise you and me and maybe you as well.

It’s the Celtics Kevin McHale, unlike the others McHale stood 6-10 but also had an 8 foot wingspan. Mo Bamba (7-0) rounds out our top 5, he’s got a 7 foot 10 inch wingspan. A large wingspan fails to make one a rejecter of opponents shots, as Bill Russell once said, “I couldn’t block every shot but I would make them think I could.” Back in the day I wonder how many shots were missed based on Russell looming in the vicinity. Provided he’s healthy the question remains is Koloko talented enough to play at a high skill level in the NBA. I read the scouting report on Koloko prior to the draft and the Raptors taking him, the weaknesses pointed out didn’t appear to be of a serious nature and in time could be fixed.

Basketball from a fans perspective 

Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Do you remember

This time last season many connected with the NBA gave us a chilling warning. This warning came to us from a number of former NBA players and some in the media. They told us the Spurs Victor Wembanyama would be “beaten” to a pulp coming in the league at 210 pounds even at power forward. He would be pushed all over the floor according to them, well there were several bumps in the road for the rookie. They were to be expected however Wemby managed to have an outstanding NBA season. Outstanding enough he was named NBA Rookie of the Year. The actual truth I expressed prior to the vote Wemby should have been named NBA Defensive Player of the Year as well.

At some point between the end of the season and the Olympics and training camp it occurred. We now have Wemby reporting to training camp at the same height 7 feet 4 inches however he’s bulked up. The training day weight indicates Wemby is now up to 235 pounds which is certainly amazing based on his 2023-24 season weight. I decided to check back a couple of generations to 7 foot 4 Ralph Sampson, the records indicate the former Houston Rocket checked in at 228 pounds. Again this is no predictor of additional success for the Spurs second year man but it details a comparative Hall of Fame player actually weighed less. As for Wemby’s weight gain its good for him although its unwelcome news for association foes.

Distressing news

While preparing the Wednesday edition I received a text indicating Dikembe Mutombo died. How could it be, this mountain of a man (7-2 260 pounds) was the Incredible Hulk a generation or so ago. Mount Mutombo was the nickname given him due to his ability to block shots around the basket. The NBA finally had to outlaw his effort afterwards, every time he blocked a shot he would wag his finger back and forth. After a time, the NBA that action taunting an opposing player so they outlawed it.

How did this all began, Mutombo arrived here in this nation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to play basketball at Georgetown. Although he exhibited an offensive game in the NBA defense became his specialty. The Nuggets would make him the 4th pick in the first round of the 1991 draft, he would later play for a number of NBA teams over his 18 year career. Honors would come to him, an 8 time All Star and 4 time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He led the NBA in blocked shots 3 times during his career, in 2015 Mutombo was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. The other portion of Mutombo’s life was probably not as well known.

He became tireless in his humanitarian efforts after retirement, his effort was quite extensive. This is me, I believe Mutombo might have been a better human being than he was a basketball player, he was selfless in his efforts to improve human conditions, especially on the African continent. The world is better because Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo came our way. Did he loved to block shots, check out this YouTube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGDZ3S5Y2MI

“I don’t play defense”

The headline above are the words expressed by Bill Murray in the 1996 movie Space Jam. Murray is diagraming an offensive play and is reminded his team is on defense, at that point he utters the words “I don’t play defense.” Well just like Murray I don’t do draft choices, you say for whom? A writer for SI suggested the Lakers trade Anthony Davis back to the Pelicans for Brandon Ingram, Jordan Hawkins and 4 first round picks and 1 first round pick swap. I see so many issues with this it’s amazing, how could this writer even propose such a trade. Brandon Ingram is a talent, one the Lakers once drafted but were willing to include in the trade to acquire AD.

Ingram is still young but acquiring him again causes me to shake my head, as for Hawkins can I say NBA potential however to date he’s done little to demonstrate it. Finally we come to the issue of draft choices, to borrow from Murray I don’t do draft choices. We have no idea who might be available in the 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 NBA draft. If the trade were made they could acquire a couple of Shai-Gilgeous Alexander types, they could also draft a Josh Jackson (2017) or Jahlil Okafor (2015). The point is clear for me and hopefully you as well, having a large number of draft choices fails to aid a team if THAT rose surrounded by thorns is not selected. This trade might be okay for the SI guy but if I’m Rod Pelinka I’d simply smile at him, this is dead on arrival in my view.

A New York thing

This is written Monday morning after the trade that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks. Despite the move it seems I am reading more accounts regarding Mitchell Robinson than KAT. I can say this in truth, coach Tom Thibodeau loves his play despite his injury history. Regardless of this fact there are NBA teams lining up attempting a trade for Robinson. Keep in mind he will be sidelined unable to play at least until mid to late December.

Why are so many teams without legitimate centers attempting a trade? Since 2018 when drafted by the Knicks he’s not been much of an offensive threat however that’s not his forte. It’s his defense including an ability to block or affect the oppositions shot. He can score the ball on occasion when challenged, the only Achilles heel for him beside being injury prone is free throw shooting. Robinson is Shaq like from the free throw line. The question might be asked, why is there such a demand for an injured player. Despite his history of injury is it Robinson’s potential or is it simply a New York thing?