A fans perspective

Published Monday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday

Meanwhile…

It’s official now, Los Angeles Clipper Chris Paul will retire at the end of the season. It certainly is not shocking news, he’s 40 years old and will turn 41 before the playoff season is complete. Paul is the last pure point guard remaining in the NBA, the others might be listed in that position but its in name only. All the others are combo guards looking to score as much as distribute the ball, of course that is the change in the NBA of the present day. In any event Paul is not playing much at this point but we should cherish the opportunity to see CP3 or the Point God in action. 

We are guessing Mark Cuban speaks with the voice of a man in charge. Reports have circulated the Dallas Mavericks are exploring trade possibilities for center/power forward Anthony Davis, Cuban is reported to say, “It ain’t happening” so we must guess at least for this present season AD will remain a member of the Mavs. There remain a number of upset Mavs fans for a variety of reasons, trading AD after acquiring him for Luka Doncic might be one step too far too far for these fans. Despite inserting Cooper Flagg in the lineup the Mavs are not a good team.

Who is the best freshman this college season so far? I’ve seen Cameron Boozer of Duke and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson in action so far, as for the others I’ve yet to see them play. Who are the other contenders, Arkansas has two freshman, Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas. We can add the names of Mikel Brown Jr. Louisville and Koa Peet who plays at Arizona plus Tennessee’s Nate Ament. Although he is currently injured Kansas basketball has Darryn Peterson and BYU with AJ Dybantsa, either of these two could go 1-2 in the 2026 NBA draft.   

Saturday afternoon I had an opportunity to see Arafan Diane Iowa Prep in action versus Dynamic Prep. NFL fans might remember Marcus Spears Sr., his son Marcus Spears Jr. plays for Dynamic Prep. Spears Jr. is a 6-foot 7 180 pound forward. As for Iowa Prep 7-foot 1 290 pound Arafan Diane was profiled earlier, he’s committed to play for Kelvin Sampson at Houston. As for Spears Jr. he is yet to commit although he’s received offers from several high profile programs. Dynamic Prep won the game and I can say I was more impressed with the game of Spears Jr. over Diane.

NBA TV

I have noticed changes to NBA TV this season and have not yet encountered the format to which I was accustomed. New faces some of which I am unfamiliar with plus other changes leave me in difficulty. With new (NBC & Peacock plus Prime Video) and returning broadcast partners (ESPN/ABC), it appears the NBA has revised its programming. This represents the current lineup for the network which features ‘The Association: Post Up,’ which provides an assessment of the evening's NBA action and is rebroadcast the following morning.

‘NBA Playback’ offers rebroadcasts of previous games in the morning and afternoon, reflecting previous formats. Additionally, 'The Association’ and ‘NBA Shot Clock: Best Games of the Week Condensed’ have been introduced. ‘The Starting Lineup,’ featuring basketball analysis from veteran media member Frank Isola and former NBA player Brian Scalabrine, is also part of the schedule. Local game feeds are incorporated as well. While these updates bring variety, I am uncertain whether this version of NBA TV fully meets my expectations; it seems to be lacking an element present in prior seasons.

The best since Shaq

I have never followed the career of Deandre Ayton until now, sure I knew of him but I didn’t know him. I probably have seen fewer than 10 games during his time in the NBA. We begin this brief look in 2018, Ayton was made the first pick by the Suns, in September 2023 he was traded to the Blazers. July 6, 2025, Ayton signed a contract with the Lakers and that is where we begin the story. This number one pick was reported to be highly talented but unfocused at times, the question becoming a Laker could he fulfill the promise many saw for him?

Ayton would sign a 2-year contract and thus would begin the road to prove his competence the Lakers believed was possible. The season is young, in addition Ayton must prove his ability over the course of the balance of the season, in addition there is playoff basketball to consider. So far although its early the Lakers might have found the best center since Shaquille O’Neal patrolled the paint. I know what you are saying, “Didn’t Anthony Davis play the post for them?” That would be the case although he voiced his objection on more than one occasion. Other than AD maybe the two-headed centers utilized in the 2020 championship season, we saw Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee occupy the center position. Below are Ayton’s highest scoring games in Purple and Gold to date. This from Ayton; “I think LeBron will make me a better defensive player,” I love that statement. Below represents Ayton’s best games from this early season.

29 points, 10 rebounds, 3 block   74% field goal 

22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 block   69% field goal

22 points, 15 rebounds, 1 block   59% field goal

20 points, 16 rebounds, 1 block   91% field goal

20 points, 14 rebounds, 1 block   77% field goal

20 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block   69% field goal

17 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block   73% field goal