A basketball fans perspective

Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Friday

The Finals 

My apologies, inclement weather in the KC Metro prevented me from providing you a critique of the game. The Knicks won, they are 2026 NBA champions thanks to a 94-90 victory over the Spurs. 

Shameless behavior

Have you seen any video surrounding the Knicks comeback victory in Game 4? Naw, I’m not referencing the game I’m discussing the aftermath that occurred. The property destroyed, the objects thrown at Spurs players upon returning to their hotel, that and other stuff. Based on the actions of several individuals—not all—they gave New York City an ugly black eye for the world to see. Watching the aftermath, you might have thought the home team had lost rather than completed a thrilling 29-point comeback victory. I’m writing this Saturday morning before Game 5 on Saturday evening.

It is quite possible the Knicks have since won both the game and the series. My hope is citizens and property have been saved from the destruction we saw occur previously. I can offer you little proof but those who participated in the violence and destruction are not basketball fans. I make that statement by saying how does this reflect on the win your team just accomplished. I am a party of one however any victory in a team sport in my view lessens the value of that win. Are the Knicks condemned by me, how about the city itself, of course not that would be ridiculous. I will however make this mental note, any victory celebration of this type in New York City, Los Angeles or Kansas City will forever be tainted by me.

Another alien sighting

Victor Wembanyama has a “baby” brother, his name is Oscar. He doesn’t have the cache of his older brother yet, truth is he might never acquire it. In addition he is nowhere close to his older brother in stature, Oscar stands 6-foot 7 inches and a slim 205 pounds, he’s got a 6-foot 11 inch wingspan. He spent this past season playing for France’s LNB Élite for SIG Strasbourg. As for his NBA outlook we must check first with Jonathan Givony. According to Givony *“has made a big jump in ability in the past 12-18 months.” The 6’-8, 19-year-old wing averaged 10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 block for Strasbourg in the French Espoirs league this season.”

Some reading this will look at the numbers and indicate they are not that impressive. I can agree the stats are only average however it becomes a beginning. If Oscar has the work ethic of his big brother he will continue to progress on an upward plane. While Givon provides his observation I also checked nbadraftroom.com. This sentence stood out for me; “Despite his raw game he’s got good physical tools and of course the great pedigree.” As for the future it will be a surprise if his named is announced in a few weeks. More than likely that will occur in the 2027 NBA draft should he decide that is his ultimate destination.

*X Jonathan Givony

Meanwhile….

I didn’t give Marcis Ponder the nickname “Baby Shaq,” there is a starting point for this comparison to Shaquille O’Neal. The first is his height, he’s a Big Man and second to that he is comparable to Shaq at a similar age. Ponder is listed on most sites standing between 6-foot-11 and 7 feet, he is reported to weigh 310 to 330 pounds. Gillion Basketball Academy in Springfield, Virginia was his school, he plays for AAU Team Breakdown from Miami Florida. The 4-star prospect will suit up for Florida State this fall and winter. Videos of him in action highlight his raw power, but we must keep in mind he’s likely competing against 6-7 220 pound centers. This is for informational purposes only and certainly is not intended to indicate Ponder is going to be the next Shaq or if the NBA is in his future.   

I found this interesting, Julian Champagnie has been one of the Spurs who’s become quite valuable to them. He’s what I like to refer to as a “glue guy,” he will play defense for you, in addition when called on he manages to score timely baskets. How he arrived in San Antonio is untypical for the majority of players throughout the NBA. The 6-foot 7 Champagnie played his college basketball at St. John’s, he went undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft but began his NBA career on a two-way contract with the Sixers. In 2023 the Sixers would release him and the Spurs would claim him off waivers. This is probably the most interesting portion of the story, the Sixers cut him in order to provide roster space to add Mac McClung. As for Champagnie, we know where he ended up.

Be bold, that’s my contention for my Lakers! The Spurs and to a degree the Thunder have clearly laid out the path for obtaining a great team. My belief is not going to please 90% of Laker Nation but I wouldn’t write this if I didn’t believe it. I don’t know whether the Spurs win the championship but if not this year maybe next year. As for the Thunder they were missing two key roster members, if those two were able to play perhaps the outcome of the Western Conference Finals might have turned out differently. This has been mentioned previously but both teams were constructed primarily through the draft. I realize the Clippers had no idea SGA would blossom into a two-time MVP, as for Wemby it was different there were questions but it was believed he was the real deal. I will close this with words at the beginning…..be bold Lakers at draft time.