A basketball fans outlook

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It’s that time again

What’s next, the college basketball season has now concluded with last Monday’s championship game, no more college play until November 2026. With last weeks ending Off the Dribble will be lacking numbers of college basketball stories to detail. Based on that fact as occurs around this time my publication dates will be reduced once again. I’ve decided that during the remainder of spring into the summer and early fall the Saturday edition will be excluded until fall. College basketball news during this period will be reported as soon as the next available publishing date. Once again thank you for being a loyal reader.      

In defense of

This is written in advance of the NCAA Division I championship. I have no idea if Michigan won or UConn however this focus is on Dusty May Michigan coach and Dennis Gates at Missouri. It was mentioned how many in Mizzou Nation were ready to run Gates out of town based on the less than expected end of the season. I’m saying now, a second look is forthcoming from yours truly and its courtesy of May. Both coaches came from similar backgrounds, they were coaching at mid-major schools prior to their hire. For May it was Florida Atlantic and Gates it was Cleveland State but this is the key in both instances. Whenever an athletic department seeks out and hires a coach the hope is “we’ve hired the right guy.”

In both cases the coaches made it into the tournament in their first year on the job. The difference at this point I can state with conviction May has been more successful to date, does that indicate he may have been the better hire over Gates, not necessarily. The key point in both instances unless a coach fails to produce after a time he should be replaced. In this instance that is not too this point Gates, although it’s been short his Missouri teams have earned tournament invites three of the four years he’s run the program. Before closing there is one other consideration, unlike at Missouri, I have no idea the talent May might have inherited. As for Gates there was none, his first team (which earned a tournament berth) was built on the fly. The nest was empty at his arrival. And finally this, Missouri cannot hire a “John Calipari” or “Dan Hurley” type name, the school doesn’t have that credentials a North Carolina or Arizona.

He did it differently 

Some reading this might remember the name Junior Bridgeman. Bridgeman played his college basketball at Louisville, this first round NBA draft pick had a 12-year NBA career. He certainly was a steadfast player during the course of his playing time but it was post-NBA I believe he made the most noise in a sense of the word. Consider the fact we are discussing the 1970’s, player salaries were nowhere close to what they are in 2026. Bridgeman claims he never earned more than $350,000 in any one season prior to his retirement.

We read of post-retirement severely impacting several athletes income with little or no preparations. That was not Bridgeman, there was a plan it was a matter of implementing it. In the off-season he worked and learned the business model of Wendy’s fast food restaurants. After retirement he became an owner of over 450 restaurants and several other business ventures. Bridgeman would continue his business enterprises over the course of his retirement. Eventually he would become a minority owner of the Bucks purchasing 10% of the team he once played for, March 11, 2025, Bridgeman suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 71. He was one of four other American athletes who would be designated a billionaire with a net worth of $1.4 billion.  

Generational talent

When discussing generational talent in sports, we refer to athletes whose physical or mental approach fundamentally alters the game. The topic is frequently revisited; most recently, attention has centered on Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, a rookie who demonstrates above-average capabilities in all aspects of play. This raises the question: Is it possible for multiple generational talents to exist simultaneously? The answer appears to be yes; Victor Wembanyama is also regarded as a generational athlete, and both he and Flagg are currently active. Furthermore, generational athletes may be defined as individuals whose performance surpasses that of the majority of their peers.

Examining other notable figures from the present and recent past, LeBron James clearly embodies the qualities of a generational talent. While opinions may vary, many consider Kobe Bryant to fit this designation as well. Similarly, Michael Jordan exemplifies the traits typically associated with this category. Historically, Oscar Robertson, known as "The Big O," and Wilt Chamberlain have also had transformative impacts on the sport. While this list is not exhaustive and some outstanding players may not be mentioned, the focus remains on those who truly reshaped and defined the game. I can think of numerous basketball talent omitted but there was a question for me, what they brought to the NBA that changed the game.