Basketball from a fans perspective

June awaits

I’ve written several accounts regarding Cooper Flagg of Duke. Most recently it was mentioned he indicated he might return to school for his sophomore year…to that statement I ask WHY? It’s been pointed out Flagg has one of the largest NIL contracts in collegiate sports, despite that fact he can earn even more as an NBA rookie. However wealth might not be the driving force for him, in his position there is only one opportunity for the college experience so I certainly could understand if he decided to return to school.

On the other hand if it’s only a degree, numerous players in all sports have returned to school and graduated. Critics are quick to point out “his numbers are not all that exciting” and they are correct. For me it’s all facets of the game he plays at a cerebral level. Will Flagg come into the NBA and dominate, I can inform you right now that will not occur. What I see in the future is a skillful player able to blend his game with those of his teammates. In a tie game I could see him take the game winner, he appears that confident. So there, I’ve made up Cooper Flagg’s mind for Cooper Flagg although I have no connection whatsoever with his decision forthcoming in April or May.  

Who goes and who remains

As the Lakers prepare for the balance of the season and playoffs decisions must be made. They have three players on two-way contracts, these must be converted to a regular contract in order for a player to be playoff eligible. In all likelihood Cam Reddish and Alex Len will likely be released, that opens up two roster positions for three players, the question becomes who goes and who remains? Who are they, guard Jordan Goodwin, post players Trey Jemison III and Christian Koloko would be vying for the final two spots.

Goodwin has been a spot starter due to the number of injuries the Lakers have suffered recently. JJ Redick has appeared pleased with the effort of Goodwin for a time now. As for Jemison III and Koloko its strictly a best guess on my part. Both post players in my view are raw, so what occurs for the future? If I used a scale with 5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest Jemison III would be a 3 while Koloko is a 2 maybe 2.5. Goodwin is a slam dunk, his athleticism and the fact he’s been a part-time starter bodes well for him. The other two are a little more difficult to gauge although what you just read is my best guess. Stay tuned, I believed a decision will be made sooner rather than later.     

NOTE: Prior to this being published one member of the media is claiming the Lakers could sign all three players. I still maintain Jemison is ahead of Koloko although they might keep both, please keep that possibility in mind.  

The Transfer Portal

This is what we heard and continue to hear from fans and many in the media, “The transfer portal will ruin college basketball!” Remember back in time what was said, “We can’t widen the lane because of Wilt Chamberlain” or “The dunk shot (Lew Alcindor) will ruin the game, there is no way to defend besides there is the injury factor.” Those were changes to basketball that upset folks at the time. Face it friends I have a neutral opinion on the transfer portal, is it good…is it bad? Probably depends on who you converse with. What I read the concept was to make for an easier path for athletes to change schools. You might believe that’s always been a straightforward process, allow me to provide a little history.

In 2017 Mizzou had two transfers incoming Dru and Mark Smith (no relation), I don’t remember which Smith but the NCAA said yes to one and no to the other. The school appealed the ruling, there was no public information related to academics however one of the Smith’s was forced to sat out a semester while the other played. Of course both would eventually play but the issue was a little confusing. As with any topic involving human beings there are going to be technical glitches. I believe there should be a limit on the number of transfers. Mizzou (yes my school) had Josh Gray on its roster, previously he played at LSU and South Carolina. Has the portal fulfilled it’s purpose, depends on who you discuss the matter with. If the NCAA decides to eliminate it they certainly need a plan other than what occurred with the Smith’s in 2017 and much of the past.

Never, ever

Technically speaking the NBA began play in 1949, that was 76 years ago. Almost half of the leagues championships have been won by two teams, the Celtics with 18 championships and the Lakers totaling 17, that’s 35 between them. Are there NBA teams lacking championships, who are they you might ask?  The Brooklyn Nets won 2 ABA Championships but not one since they became a member of the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets were born as the Bobcats but they failed to win under either name. The Indiana Pacers tasted success while in the ABA but lack a championship as an NBA member.

The Buffalo Braves would become the San Diego Clippers and later move to Los Angeles retaining the name, they also lack a championship. The expansion Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis also have no championship. Also added to our list of the missing we have the Minnesota Wolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz, that completes those NBA missing a championship parade. Officially the Sonics are not the Thunder although the team moved from Seattle which won a championship. The Thunder are not the former Sonics since Seattle owns the rights to the name. We could say the Thunder also should be included in our count as a never won team. It’s interesting several teams named have been successful on the basketball court but unable to win an NBA Championship.