The view of a fan

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The Dream

Until the injury cropped up Victor Wembanyama was even better in his second year over his first. We have been informed surgery corrected the problem he dealt with. Over the summer his hiatus took him all over the world to at least one unusual location. There was a spiritual detour with Shaolin monks, in addition Wemby studied kung fu and body movement techniques. There was basketball training as well, he’s worked out with Hakeem Olajuwon former Rockets center. There have been few complaints about Wemby’s game except in one area. I remember Charles Barkley in particular claiming the 7-foot 4 Wemby had no inside game.

There was no disagreement with the statement, Wemby’s inside game was certainly limited however I should point out this fact. Although I don’t particularly care for Big Men shooting from distance Wemby performs the task at an excellent level. In closing I will provide you a reminder, Kareem had his sky hook and Shaq had his power game. Olajuwon had a move in the lane that was well-known as “The Dream Shake” keep this in mind. Wemby is not being drilled on shooting from three with Olajuwon as his tutor. We must wait and see how the training turns out however Wemby appears to be a “sponge” when acquiring guidance. I believe based on his summer events we might see an improved player on what was witnessed his first two years in the NBA. We better be prepared for the new and improved Victor Wembanyama.

Hey, didn’t you use to be Ben Simmons?”

NBA training camps open in under 50 days as this is written, there are several high profile free agents yet to find a team. Probably the name familiar to most is Russell Westbrook late of the Clippers. He certainly is high profile however this focus is regarding Ben Simmons. I had read stories on Simmons prior to seeing him in action for the first time, that opportunity presented itself his freshman year at LSU. I saw a 6-foot 10 inch 240 pound point guard and was totally mesmerized, he didn’t shoot particularly good from distance…no matter it was the other things he did so well. Simmons was skilled at distributing the basketball which probably enhanced his value to NBA scouts.

In 2016 the Sixers made him the top choice in that year’s draft, a summer injury prevented him from play until the following season. In 2018 Simmons would be named NBA Rookie of the Year based on filling the box score across the board. That might have been the high point for Simmons in the four years he spent with the Sixers. From their he moved to the Nets for several years and this past season it was the Clippers. From his first season with the Nets until last year he’s never been able to return his play to that of his rookie year. As I indicated earlier Simmons never shot from distance even in college, something has caused him to lose his way as an NBA talent. I once told a co-worker “I’d like to have Simmons on my team,” now I am unsure if that statement is correct any longer.

Far too many moving parts

Over the last few days I’ve seen a number of video reports from various individuals on the Kawhi Leonard no play contract. I concluded my effort viewing a YouTube interview with host Rich Eisen and guest Pablo Torre. You view it for your own satisfaction, Torre answered every tough question Eisen dealt him. I have discovered since my first report in 2019 that the NBA had conducted an investigation of the Clippers, until this investigation is completed I intend to refrain from reporting until a finalized statement is made by the NBA. You will discover below an AI assessment of the earlier investigation. Prior to any judgement being rendered allow this expression of my belief if the Clippers are proved guilty this certainly would not be the first for the NBA. There are probably other clubs in the past maybe up to the present operating in a similar manner. They happen to not be caught as the Wolves were in the past and perhaps the Clippers in the present day.

“Allegations: During the summer of 2019, Kawhi Leonard’s representatives, led by his uncle Dennis Robertson, made demands for improper benefits as part of his free agency. These requests included part-ownership of the team, access to a private plane, a house, and guaranteed off-court endorsement money.

NBA’s Response: The NBA investigated the Clippers following these allegations.

Outcome: The league cleared the Clippers of any wrongdoing in this matter but stated that the investigation would be reopened if new information emerged.”  

This for Gen Z

It has been noted that some members of Generation Z express skepticism regarding certain historical events in the NBA, particularly those related to records set by Wilt Chamberlain. This skepticism often arises from the lack of available video documentation, leading some to question the occurrence of specific achievements. For context, while the NBA consisted of only eight teams during Chamberlain's rookie season, it had expanded to 17 teams by the team he retired. Throughout his career, Chamberlain regularly competed against the best of the best for that era. We can count at least eight All-Star centers he may have faced night in and night out.  

They include Bob Lanier, Wes Unseld, Zelmo Beaty, Willis Reed, Walt Bellamy, Nate Thurmond, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Keep in mind each of these opponents brought a different set of skills whenever they faced Chamberlain. While not all these names may be well known to contemporary audiences, it is important to note that each of those named has been inducted into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame. That fact alone should provide proof that Chamberlain faced competition even in an NBA comprised of a smaller number of teams. This fact demonstrates that Chamberlain faced significant competition during his career, if not in every game, then certainly in the majority of his matchups.

2075

Will the NBA change radically by 2075, that’s 50 years in the future, I’m certainly not prepared to fully answer the question in detail? On the other hand I could look ahead at some changes I could see that just might occur. These are my views and I am not arrogant enough to believe these are the only future changes. Stay tuned for the future of the association which will continue to unfold in the future.

*The NBA will have expanded by then, there will be an additional 4 North American teams. NBA Europe will be operational by this time and play on the European continent will be in effect. Eventually a genuine world championship will occur, NBA America vs NBA Europe.

*Play at the college level to gain entry to the NBA will become less and less important. Athletes desiring for an NBA career will play in an enhanced G-League, Team Elite and other venues will be sought out. The NBA will continue to use the college game as a farm system for additional talent.

*Athletes continue to grow in height, there will be a return to post play with a slant. There will be additional versions of Victor Wembanyama, Big Men who can play with guard skills, they must also be proficient in shooting from the three line.

*Expect an explosion of international players in the NBA by this time. At one time NBA teams turned up their noses at these players. That belief no longer exists, as evidence says The Joker, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Wemby are prime examples of the growing trend. Despite the growth of international talent that of the home grown variety will continue to be infused into NBA teams.