Basketball from a fans perspective

Published daily except Tuesdays & Thursdays

Prime destinations

Every athlete whether it’s trade or free agency is headed to Los Angeles, New York or Chicago, there are other prime destinations in the NBA. Besides the three cities above it’s my contention we must now add San Antonio to the list. I wouldn’t have written this 4-5 years ago but now it’s real, the question becomes what occurred in the intervening years…my contention the Wemby factor. Yes, the opportunity to join the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama is real and is likely to continue.

Consider this fact, the Kings DeAron Fox has requested the team trade him. The reported destination of choice for Fox the Spurs. Of course this move and others in the future are predicated on Wemby remaining healthy enduring the NBA wars. Next time you read or hear of a player deciding to cast his lot with the Spurs remember the why. This next statement is a guess on my part but I’m sure veterans Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul could have chosen another destination. Those two might have been the first “Wemby factor” moves by NBA veterans

SMH

As a member of Laker Nation I have attempted to refrain commentary regarding Bronny James. If you care, you might check back to what I wrote weeks and days before the NBA Draft. He needed additional play at the college level, I thought that would be accomplished based on the school he was reported to be transferring to. There were two factors here, first USC was not a good team, on top of that due to his health issues he played all of the season as a reserve. Then it occurred he announced his declaration for the 2024 draft, second round draft choices generally don’t have lasting NBA careers. A second round pick wouldn’t necessarily be a waste.

What I wanted did not come about, I wanted Bronny to spend extensive time in the G-League. Bronny is bounced back and forth between the parent club and the South Bay Lakers, currently he’s with the Lakers. On Tuesday night against the Sixers Bronny was inserted into the lineup and the results were certainly underwhelming, 0-5 from the floor and 0-3 from the three line. I claim no expertise in reading body language but I do have a concern, whether it was nervousness or something else Bronny did not appear comfortable in his 15 minutes on the court. In addition there were three TO’s in his time on the court. How about the future for the youngster, I’m afraid that is far too difficult a task for me because it would be pure speculation on my part. There might be factors in place I am unaware. 

Don’t hate me

A YouTube channel Sports Reels presented its list of the Top 5 NBA point guards all-time. They are:

1.Steph Curry

2.Magic Johnson

3.Isiah Thomas

4.Oscar Robertson

5.Russell Westbrook

It’s not mine but I take issue with their projected list of all-time greats. Allow me to explain, I love me some Steph Curry but to surpass point guard Magic Johnson, that’s a stretch for me! The narration saying, “Curry is a better shooter than Magic.” We have two players from different eras, one (Curry) more a shooter over a passer (Magic). Truth is in my view Curry and Westbrook are more combo guards than true point guards. In addition they left the NBA’s all-time assist leader John Stockton off their list.

Look around you…it’s clear

Those of us in the continental United States have heard plenty of complaints. Before I began allow me to state up front I am not the one complaining. I believe the influx of foreign athletes to the NBA makes it that much better, we have a substantial number of talented youth arriving attending American colleges or beginning play in the NBA. The question might be asked how did the landscape of amateur and professional basketball change, that’s an easy answer…the NBA.

Euro players arrive on these shores playing for European teams, the same could be said about a number arriving from nations on the African continent. What is the change I speak of, well there is the NBA Global Academy. This training facility is located in Canberra Australia, Josh Giddey of the Bulls became the first athlete from the academy to be drafted in the NBA. We also have the NBA Academy Africa located in Slay Senegal, this facility is also intended to train youth in basketball skills. Also there is NBA Academy Latin America, it's located in San Luis Potosi about a 5 hour drive north of the capital of Mexico City. School studies are also provided to attendees.