Basketball from a fans perspective

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This is a first I believe

I cannot take credit for this bit of information it belongs to Etan Thomas, this former NBA player is now retired but has ventured into the world of the written word. In any event Thomas pointed to the fact that all five starters for Duke’s basketball team were drafted into the NBA. This is certainly not to state that any of the five will be successful or have lasting careers but just the fact it occurred. Consider some of the great college teams of the past, I can think of two or three roster members being drafted or signing free agent contracts. As I indicated in the headline this is a first I believe:

Cooper Flagg forward-Mavs

Kon Knueppel forward-Hornets

Khaman Maluach center-Suns

Sion James guard-Hornets

Tyrese Proctor guard-Cavs

Hire me

The 2025 NBA Draft has come and gone, as this is written there is no head coach in place for the Knicks. A number of names have been mentioned some even interviewed however this occurred. The 2025 draft and whoever is hired had no input regarding the choice of Mohammed Diawara a 6-foot 8 wing from France. That issue aside check out the picture at least as of now for the 2025-26 NBA season. The Knicks were contenders for the Eastern Conference championship this past season, they beat the defending champion Celtics. The Knicks would lose to the Pacers and thereafter Tom Thibodeau was fired. Despite having no coach they might be the second best NBA team in the east with a question mark behind that statement.

Consider the changes in just a matter of weeks with both the Celtics and Pacers. Jrue Holiday is gone so too is Kristaps Porzingis, they will be replaced but there is no Jason Tatum until late in the season if at all, this team is a shadow of itself. The Pacers will return much intact but have a vital missing piece, we discovered Tyrese Haliburton “drives the bus” for this team, him missing who steps up to accept the role as leader? That leaves the Cavs as the only true contender for Eastern Conference supremacy which says to me…if you are interviewed for the Knicks job take it under conditions. Probably 95% of us believed Tom Thibodeau was safe until he wasn’t, If this were me being hired I’d demand a 4 or 5 year contract. If Knicks management fires Thibodeau with his winning record nothing but a championship will satisfy management. An extended contract ensures I will be paid while searching for another job should I be fired…am I too blunt in my assessment, I don’t think so.

Round two    

We are surveying the second round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, the choices on the initial first round were somewhat predictable. The world knew ahead of time Cooper Flagg would be the top pick by the Mavs, he was followed by Dylan Harper to the Spurs and VJ Edgecombe to the Sixers. There were a few players who moved down in the first round, it’s my belief the available talent was the basis here. The only real shocker was Hansen Yang picked at 16, he was chosen by the Grizzlies but is headed to the Blazers.

Yang who hails from China was a familiar name however most mock drafts placed him as a second-round pick. In round two the Wolves kick off the evening activities and repeating round one only the first five picks will be profiled beginning with Rasheer Fleming wing from St. Joseph, his rights traded to the Suns. Up next was Noah Penda a wing from France, he’s headed to the Magic, then it was wing Sion James from Duke, he was chosen by the Hornets. Ryan Kalkbrenner the 7 foot post player is also headed to the Hornets. The Sixers take post Johni Broome, he was at Auburn. The Lakers were at 55 but they made moves allowing them to move up allowing them to draft Adou Thiero wing from Arkansas.

What are they seeking

All are aware the Suns were a hot mess this past season, with Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker they under achieved. The first of many moves was the trade of Durant to the Suns but wait there is more. The Suns acquired Mark Williams in a trade, remember him? He was headed to Laker Land until the Lakers decided it wasn’t a good deal. Draft night Big Man Khaman Maluach from Duke was made the 10th pick and then this occurred, as part of the Durant trade Maluach’s draft rights were sent to the Suns.

In the second round the Suns drafted Liam McNeely UConn wing. So what unfolds for the immediate future for the Suns, should we suppose new coach Jordan Ott will play a twin towers offense after all he’s now got two 7 footers on his team? I’m making the statement because Williams, although slowed by injury had been the starter at the post for the Hornets. Maluach is certainly raw offensively however his upside appears quite enticing, he brought a defensive presence to Duke as a freshman. This is a developing story based on the acquisition of these two players. Williams when healthy contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds and 60% shooting from the floor for the Hornets. This will be a developing story over the next few months.

The future NBA could be exciting

Recently the NBPA Top 100 Camp was held in Rocky Mount North Carolina. Rest assured there were high school players in attendance that didn’t have celebrity parents however a bunch did. This certainly should give us an idea that the future of professional basketball will continue to be in great shape. Behind the prospects name is the year of their high school graduation should they not reclassify. Check out some names and the fathers:

Abdul Aziz (2026) and Malik Olajuwon (2027)-Hakeem Olajuwon is the brothers father.

Isaiah and Carter Barnes (2027)-twin sons of former NBA player Matt.

Erick Dampier Jr. (2028)-his dad is Erick Dampier Sr. who spent 16 years in the NBA.

Obinna Ekezie Jr. (2027)-son of Obinna Ekezie Sr., he played in the NBA for 5 seasons.

Tahj Ariza-son for Trevor Ariza who played 18 seasons in the NBA.

Kaden and Kalek House-twin sons of former NBA guard Eddie.

Brandon Bass Jr. (2026)-son of Brandon Bass Sr. who spent 12 years in the association

Reese Alston (2027)-depending on your age you might be familiar with Rafer and his 11 year NBA career.

It is reasonable to expect some of the players listed here will fail to earn a spot on an NBA roster. What is so interesting to me and perhaps you as well, the number of offspring who’s excelling at least for now the same sport as their father.