Basketball from a fans perspective

What is wrong with him (and others)?

Former NBA player B.J. Armstrong is the latest player that has fallen out of bed and bumped his head. This from NBA on ClutchPoints, “The league has changed. Half of the teams are tanking. So let me know…should I be impressed or should I…I respect what the Thunder have done, I respect the players. However, here’s the era where it is what it is.” I could buy the argument there are some teams unnamed who are tanking, half the league is a strong statement. Hey B.J., if that’s the case what is the purpose for them to play (other than being paid). I will entertain your take if you provide me one iota of proof of your statement.

Best NBA prospect ever?

I was only able to read the headline of the Washington Post story, as I am not a subscriber, so I must speculate on what they have written. In any event, the two writers claim that Cooper Flagg is the best NBA prospect that Duke has ever produced. I could only read the headline to the Washington Post story, I’m not a subscriber so I’ve got to guess what they may have written. In any event two writers profess Cooper Flagg is the best NBA prospect Duke’s ever produced. While I acknowledge his potential, determining if he is truly the best ever will require thorough research. Although I would place myself in the group that sees his potential the best ever will take some research on my part. To begin this quest to uncover Duke’s greatest NBA prospect, I recall Grant Hill, who played at Duke from 1990-1994 and is enshrined in both the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Where do I begin this pursuit to uncover the best Duke NBA prospect ever? I reflected on a recent account of Grant Hill, he played at Duke from 1990-1994 and is enshrined in the Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame. Hill was selected third overall in the first round of the 1994 draft. Another notable player, Christian Laettner, played from 1988-1992 and was the sole collegiate athlete on the 1992 Dream Team. Laettner was also the third overall pick in the first round of the 1992 draft. Elton Brand played at Duke from 1997-1999, entered the NBA as the first overall pick in the first round of the 1999 draft. More recently, Zion Williamson, after playing his freshman season, was made the top pick in the 2019 draft. With these examples in mind, one might question whether the excitement surrounding Flagg is justified, or if it is influenced by today’s social media presence. This is unlike Hill, Laettner, and Brand, who played in an era with minimal social media impact, different metrics may have been used to gauge their potential.

I was curious

Although the game was at home I was curious how the Warriors would adapt to a back to back. They had beaten my Lakers on Thursday night in Los Angeles and they would face the Nuggets in this one. In the first quarter the Nuggets were “cooking,” they raced out to a 12-point lead…Warrior tired legs from the prior night? Well that lead didn’t last, the half-time score found the Warriors in front 66-60, you are asking what occurred? Interesting in that the Nuggets outshot the Warriors from the floor 54.1% to 48.9% and they outrebounded the Warriors by a slight margin.

For the second night in a row the Warriors managed an impressive 42.1% from the three line which contributed to the win. Who is Brandin Podziemski, he followed his impressive shooting against the Lakers with 26 against the Nuggets. Jimmy Butler rebounded from his less than stellar game the prior night with 19 points. As per usual Steph Curry led the Warriors with 36 points on 54% shooting. The Joker led the Nuggets with 33 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists, Michael Porter Jr. contributed 23 points. Besides these names plus Braun and Gordon the Nuggets received little help from their reserves. Despite the fact the Warriors had heavy legs they managed to prevail in the end, final score 118 Nuggets 104.

World Basketball Association

Basketball was invented by James A. Naismith, a Canadian who was living and teaching in the United States. It is regarded as an original invention, unlike many sports that are derivatives of others. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has retained its title despite the increasing inclusion of international players. This growth in global participation can be largely attributed to initiatives led by David Stern, who promoted basketball worldwide during his tenure as commissioner.

The international expansion of basketball occurred through various direct and indirect methods. American players who did not enter the NBA often played in Europe, along with former NBA veterans. Additionally, NBA players visited Europe and China to conduct workshops. The growth of FIBA and basketball’s inclusion in Olympic events also contributed to its global presence. NBA teams have played exhibition and regular-season games in Europe, Mexico, and China, facilitating the creation of NBA Africa and NBA China. The National Basketball League in Australia has also grown significantly. These developments explain why top NBA draft picks for two consecutive seasons have come from France.

Meanwhile….

Ja Morant has once again faced disciplinary action, receiving fines from the NBA for conduct twice this week for making finger-gun gestures. Despite his exceptional talent on the court, issues seem to frequently arise around him. Fans are puzzled by his recent behavior, which suggests an adoption of a "gangsta" attitude. It is crucial for Morant to amend his demeanor, as failure to do so could jeopardize his position in the NBA. The league may be compelled to take further action if these issues persist, which would be unfortunate given his potential and contribution to the sport.

Who won last night's games between Auburn or Florida? And what about Houston versus Duke? Auburn and Houston have never won an NCAA Championship, whereas Duke and Florida have. Duke's most recent victory was in 2015, when they defeated Wisconsin under Coach K's leadership. Florida secured back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007 under Billy Donovan who is now the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. The four teams are evenly matched, making the outcome unpredictable. To compete for the championship on Monday, each team must secure a win tonight.