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High risk, high reward

Media reports state that the Lakers are currently leading in efforts to acquire Robert Williams III. As of this writing, Williams III remains a member of the Blazers. Some reading this might not be familiar with him, he is a 6-foot-9 center who has a 7-foot-6 wingspan. Williams III is known for his shot-blocking ability, effectiveness as a lob threat, and is skilled in pick and roll situations. Williams III is regarded as a player with significant potential, the high risk, high reward. Throughout his NBA career with the Celtics and the Blazers has been impacted by injuries. A trade would be required since he remains under contract with his current team.

His situation would change considerably should he be traded. The specific players the Lakers may offer in exchange have not been identified. It is not possible to predict future injury concerns, but if Williams III maintains good health, he could play an important role in the Lakers' performance during the playoffs and their potential hunt toward an NBA championship. In other Laker news Chris Manon and Christian Koloko were signed to two-way contracts. Signing Exhibit 10 contracts were Augustas Marciulionis, Eric Dixon, RJ Davis and Arthur Kaluma to 10-day contracts. With these signings the Lakers are prepared to open training camp, if Williams III is secured in a trade one or more of the names mentioned might have an opportunity to earn a roster position.

They were the first

If you are not a history buff as I am that’s okay, I was able to uncover this record. This past Tuesday with the new NBA television contract to begin in the fall I thought it might be interesting to return to the beginning. Have you ever wondered where it all started, I certainly have. What if I told you NBA broadcast first began on a television network that no longer exists. The 1953-54 season would be the first for the league, I would guess local broadcast existed at the time but that year saw the first national broadcast schedule.

The Dumont Television Network began broadcasting August 15, 1946, and they would continue operations until August 6, 1956. Fierce competition with the existing networks and a series of catastrophic financial decisions caused Dumont to cease operations. As for the NBA it was a Game of the Week broadcast on Saturday afternoons 13 games that first season and 20 the following year. One factor Dumont had no control was the number of broadcast affiliates, the 1954-55 season would see the NBA move to NBC due to the greater number of broadcast affiliates. As for those behind the mic there was Marty Glickman, Curt Gowdy and Lindsey Nelson conducting play-by-play for Dumont, this concludes the history of NBA basketball and it’s connection to television.

Comedy circuit

I said to myself “Quit reading and commenting on the outrageous takes of LaVar Ball.” That was then, this is now, “The mouth that roared” has announced his presence once again with his world view. “LaMelo is way better than Shai. Who were my son’s last teammates Gordon Hayward? Shai has a one-move set. Put my son on OKC. And he might have given you six rings.” Of course the Shai is referring to is the NBA’s MVP for the season and the championship series. Okay here are my counterpoints, Melo is a talented point guard who is ALWAYS HURT. It is my belief it’s extremely difficult to discuss value to a team when one is always rehabbing.

What was the purpose of mentioning Gordon Hayward (now retired), he played the small forward position so there was no competition as LaMelo is a point guard. I admit there were only a few Hornets games I had the opportunity to view so maybe there is a story there I’m unfamiliar with. As for the “six rings” I must circle back to my original statement, it’s difficult to win championships when you are almost always seated next to the coaching staff due to injury. I’m sure several reading this might tend to believe I am attacking LaMelo, that is not my intent. I cannot fault LaVar for promoting LaMelo, he’s likely the most talented of the brothers but there is a point he should tone down his comments. Ball has the potential in my view to generate significant income should he choose to share his insights on basketball in greater detail. As for the tone down part you just read, forget it, that is likely impossible for LaVar Ball.

The ‘fracture’ that never healed   

I hesitated writing this account of Kawhi Leonard’s time with the Spurs, at the end of this you will find a link to the Basketball Network story. I don’t believe anyone has ever questioned the talent of Leonard and I’m not going to be the first, it’s the other thing…injury. Former Spurs teammate wrote of his time with the team and how they may have been impacted by the absence of Leonard. This was an interview conducted with the former Spurs point guard and Adel Ahmad dated July 27, 2025, in Basketball Network. Leonard had suffered a right quad injury the previous season and had played in only 9 games all season. In a May 2017 playoff game Parker tore his left quad days before Leonard.

Parker indicated he never looked outside the Spurs organization for medical answers. “I could have gone anywhere, bit I trust my Spurs doctors,” Parker said in March 2018. After surgery Parker returned to the Spurs almost 8 months after surgery, no longer a starter he played 55 games as a reserve. Parker believed Leonard could have handled his situation differently and he claims some teammates believed as he did. The team had a players only meeting March 17 and several veterans urged Leonard to rejoin the team. Kawhi is reported to say he wasn’t medically ready. Leonard had spent time away working with his own medical team, a rift occurred and may have been the basis for Leonard’s trade to the Raptors. This is one-sided, it’s Parker versus Leonard, you become the judge of the accuracy of this story.

basketballnetwork.net