Basketball from a fans perspective

Published Tuesday, Thursday plus Saturday & Sunday 

Meanwhile…

Alijah Arenas was involved in a horrific traffic accident recently. His truck crashed and before emergency workers could reach him he suffered smoke inhalation. He was placed in a medically induced coma to prevent his brain from swelling. The latest news indicates he is now awake and progressing however it’s unclear of his status. Several reading this are aware he is the son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, the 6 foot 6 inch guard is a 2025 McDonald’s All American and was headed to Southern Cal in the fall. Hopefully, young Arenas makes a full recovery and is able to resume play soon.

Who is at the top of your list, the best high school player to enter the NBA? Of course that’s no longer possible so we must return to the past briefly, from 1975 through 2005 teams were able to draft talent straight out of high school. Who is at the top of my list, this is probably a shocker for some. Kobe Bryant is not that talent for one reason alone, he didn’t become a starter until his third year with the Lakers. LeBron James is at the top followed by Dwight Howard, both were impact players in their rookie years for the Cavs and Magic respectively.

Congratulations are extended to Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley for his selection as the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, this marks the first time he has received this accolade. Mobley played a crucial role in the success of the Cavaliers during the 2024-25 NBA season, he was the third leading scorer and second highest rebounder for the team in the recently concluded regular season.

Blockbuster trades

The Lakers were losers in one instance and winners in the other regarding blockbuster trades. Through a trade the Lakers had the Cavs draft pick and were able to choose Magic Johnson, technically that is not like the two instances you are about to read. As example they lost the trade which would have made Chris Paul a Laker and they won the Luka Doncic trade. In the one instant commissioner David Stern vetoed the request and recently commissioner Adam Silver indicated when question said he wouldn’t have rescinded the Luka trade. Two trades and two different interpretations of what should be done.

In 2011 the Lakers made a trade with the New Orleans Hornets (Pelicans) they would acquire point guard Paul in exchange for Lamar Odom, Kevin Martin and Luis Scola to New Orleans with Paul Gasol going to the Rockets. “The trade was ultimately blocked due to concerns from other owners, issues with the value of the Lakers’ assets, and a desire to protect the Hornets’ franchise value.” 

Keep in mind at that time the NBA was running the day to day operations of the team while attempting to locate a prospective buyer. Imagine this, a Laker backcourt comprised of 26 year old point guard Chris Paul teamed with shooting guard Kobe Bryant at age 32. That was then, this is now…Silver was questioned on the Luka-AD trade and whether he would have intervened, the answer was NO. Did the actions of Stern back then change the landscape for the Lakers, we can conclude it most certainly did. Could the Lakers have won at least two additional championships with this backcourt combo?

The Spurs next coach is….

This might be news to a number reading this, recently Spurs coach Gregg Popovich suffered a health scare that required a hospital visit. He was reported to have become ill while dining at a restaurant, his illness required an ambulance ride to a hospital. All indications are Pop is better however once again we are forced to look at his health. I expressed my belief in him returning to the helm of the Spurs franchise, now I am not so sure that will occur. It might be time to search out a replacement for the 76 year old Popovich.

Although a number of names have been mentioned as a possible successor including interim coach Mitch Johnson I believe there is only one name to choose. That would be Becky Hammon, I can imagine the shock on your face reading those words. “A female NBA coach, whoever heard of such a thing?” There are several female assistant coaches in the NBA currently, my Lakers have Lindsey Harding. In 2014 Hammon became the first female assistant coach when Popovich added her to his staff. She remained in that role for the Spurs until she later assumed head coaching duties for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces in 2021. Someone will make the statement “the time is not right,” I would pose the question…when is the right time?

Mock draft

No evidence is provided here just an opinion, I have concluded NBA mock drafts are accurate to a point. The names are generally correct however any player chosen past number 20-25 is a projection. Believe me, the talent has been fully assessed, in some instances a decision might be made based on the team working out a prospect. By now you are probably wondering how I arrived at the magic number. There are talented players that slip through the cracks, Fred VanVleet went undrafted in 2016 but has managed to carve out an extensive NBA career. For a different reason Austin Reaves also bypassed the draft though his for a different purpose.

There are others who are likely omitted but those two first come to mind. It might appear I’m stating picks 26-30 in the first round are lacking talent and ability, again that is not the case. Draymond Green will likely win his second Defensive Player of the Year award, he’s a second round draft pick by the Warriors. If you are willing to take the time check out your favorite NBA team, if I were a betting person you will discover this. The majority of most NBA rosters will be comprised of first round draft picks under the number 25. There will be a limited number of ‘Draymond Green’ types and a scarce number of free agents. NBA scouts along with the GM’s for the most part do a thorough job of analyzing talent however late bloomers have often been located.