A
basketball fans outlook
Sunday & Monday-Wednesday-Friday &
Saturday
Is it possible
How
did the Spurs become so good so quickly? Four years ago the team won 22 games,
that was followed a year later by another 22 win season. Although the win record
remained a losing one they drafted and inserted Victor Wembanyama into the
lineup. The following season they improved in the win column with 34, we have
no idea of the next statement. The Spurs won-loss record might have been much
better if Wemby hadn’t missed half of the season. Once the off season began in
addition to the physical the Tall One worked on the mental aspects of
basketball play at this level. Before you become confused the Spurs have been
highly successful besides Wemby in assembling talent.
They
will win 60 games a figure far beyond what much of the media expected. It’s
difficult to not praise the effort of Wemby due to his play all around, we tend
to focus mainly on the offensive side of the game. Wemby plays both sides which
says to me he is driven to succeed and accomplish it at a superior level. On
Monday evening the Spurs beat the Bulls 129-114 as Wemby led the way to the
victory. Check out this box score 41 points, 16 rebounds and he added 3 blocked
shots to his league leading total. He shot 50% from the three line and 100%
from the free throw line. Can the Spurs make a deep playoff run, that question
remains unknown at this point. The portion we do know, they will go as far as a
healthy Wemby leads them.
The criticism is overblown
UConn
came roaring back after being behind most of the game against Duke in their
tournament match on Sunday. The Blue Devils held a lead but freshman Cayden
Boozer made a critical turnover. The error allowed the Huskies Brylon Mullins
to be the hero or the nobody as he took a desperation 35-foot three
shot which found the bottom of the
basket with 0.4 on the clock. The final score UConn 73-Duke 72. Before I
proceed allow me to say I was rooting for Duke and I was certainly disappointed.
Despite the outcome the game is over, the best team won except for some fans
and media members. I’ve read and heard several offer critical remarks regarding
the Boozer turnover.
I
remember another freshman mistake in tournament history, this one by Chris
Webber while at Michigan. Webber went on to a successful NBA career. As for the
past, in a 1993 tournament game 11 seconds remained in the game and Michigan
trailed North Carolina 73-71. Webber turned to a game official signaling for a
timeout, the only problem Michigan had none. The result was free throws to
North Carolina plus the basketball, final score North Carolina 77 Michigan 71.
I am asking you the same question I did on one of my social media posts, place
yourself in the position of Boozer….better yet how about Webber. We have a
33-year difference in the outcome of both games, despite the time lapse we encountered
a freshman error that indirectly led to victory for the opposition.
Meanwhile….
There’s
been another Wemby sighting, this critique focuses not on Victor Wembanyama,
but his younger brother. Oscar Wembanyama, who in March 19 celebrated his
nineteenth birthday. While he yet to reach the height of his older sibling, he
stands 6 feet 8 inches. Although Oscar's weight is currently unknown, recent
photos suggest that he has a slender build—an observation previously made about
Victor as well. Oscar has expressed his aspiration to play in the NBA just like
older brother Victor. At present, Oscar is competing for ASVEL, the same team
that Victor was once part of. Be on the lookout for Oscars’ name to appear on an
NBA mock draft for 2027.
NBA mock drafts are similar to those we see utilized by the media
who cover the NFL, they only provide us a glimpse of the draft position of an
athlete. The four mock draft sites I regularly utilize all reflect the same
name as the number two pick June 25-26, 2026. Although final team positioning
hasn't been established yet all four have Darryn Peterson who played at Kansas projected
as the second pick. Despite Petersons’ health issues and other stuff it doesn't
appear he is going to drop much in the eyes of NBA scouts. My best guess, he is
unlikely to appear at the NBA Draft Combine occurring a month or so prior to
the draft.
Why….Kansas City is not in the NBA
The
NBA conducted a vote at its board of governors meeting on expansion, the two sites
to receive a yes vote are no different from those mentioned in past
discussions. The discussion centered on two locations Las Vegas and Seattle. According
to a recent news account former Laker player and owner Magic Johnson is
interested in moving into ownership of an NBA team again. He’s been mentioned
as one of the possible owners of a Las Vegas franchise should there be a go
decision. As for Seattle the last bit of information I read indicated there
were at least four groups lining up to purchase the franchise which would
become the new Seattle Supersonics.
As
for the headline and why my city is no longer in the running for an NBA team. According
to ESPN’s Shams Charania the projected cost for each franchise would be in the
neighborhood of $7 million-$10 million. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes appears
to be an NBA fan, the television camera has spotted him on more than one
occasion seated at an NBA game. In addition to being the Chiefs quarterback he
also has ownership in two other franchises, the baseball Royals and Current
soccer teams. The other question with astronomical ticket prices could NBA
basketball compete with other sports in the metro? That’s a question that could
not be answered without an impact study being conducted, in the time being NBA
fans here must live vicariously through those living in cities with teams