A basketball fan’s perspective

Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Meanwhile….

Preparing Off the Dribble I’m unsure if you read all of it or selected stories. Most times I attempt a headline to entice you to read an account, I hope you’ve not been misled by a headline because I was. I don’t remember the website but above the account was a photo of Wemby kneeling over apparently suffering an injury. Below the photo read “_________ of the Spurs will likely miss the upcoming season.” Seeing the photo and miss the upcoming season my thought what occurred to Wemby? After re-reading the account it wasn’t about Wemby at all, it was about the Spurs draft pick last month. This is what I should have read; “Jayden Quaintance of the Spurs will likely miss the upcoming season.” Quaintance’s name was in the sentence but seeing Wemby apparently hurt I omitted his name in reading the story initially, say it with me “Click Bait!”

Mike Boynton Jr. is not new to serving as a head coach, he served in that role at Oklahoma State from 2017-2024. In April 2024 he was the first hire by head coach Dusty May at Michigan. Boynton Jr. served as an assistant coach specializing on the Michigan defense. His role would change after May departed for the NBA Mavs, this occurred after Michigan won the 2026 NCAA championship. June 23, 2026, Boynton Jr. was named interim head coach by the school. On July 10 he was hired as head coach and signed a two-year contract. Apparently he’s off to a good start prior to play in the fall, the entire roster remained in place despite the departure of May.

Imagine a shadow so huge you shut down a league. Well, that statement over simplifies what has occurred as this is written. The NBA family of television networks are yet to release their schedule for the 2026-27 NBA season. They are waiting for LeBron James to make a decision which team he is likely to finish his career. Rich Paul agent for LeBron has mentioned television, so has commissioner Adam Silver. I am unsure of the wait time for a decision but surely it should come soon. If you remember the teams vying for LeBron’s services include the Heat, Cavs, Warriors and Sixers. On the other hand we might see the Spurs or Knicks sneak in the backdoor.

I’m going to introduce to some of you the name Arthur Kaluma. This 6-foot 7 225 pound forward went undrafted in 2025 after finishing play at Texas. He spent last season with the South Bay Lakers after signing with the parent club as an undrafted free agent. His stellar play for 2026 Summer League play saw the Lakers sign him to a two-way contract. Of course you are aware these types of contracts allow for a player to divide time between the G-League and parent club. These are summer stats however they are impressive, 18.6 ppg, 3.6 rebs, 50% from three.

Who remains

The Lakers have 16 players under contract one over the league limit. Now begins the task of finalizing the roster, one member must be traded, cut or waived. These roster members are attempting to determine their status with the Lakers:

Dalton Knecht

Jarred Vanderbilt

Jake LaRavia

Bronny James

I’m going to speculate on those named with this statement, this is a best guess. I could very easily be wrong and I can acknowledge that, with that here goes. Dalton Knecht despite his reputation as a shooter has fallen out of favor with the head coach, he played infrequently this past season. He’s followed by Jarred Vanderbilt who also rarely played, Vanderbilt’s defensive prowess is evident but his offense is practically non-existent.

Jake LaRavia in the lineup as a starter was up and down all season, what I’m not sure….did his responsibility change game to game by the coaching staff? Finally we arrive at Bronny James, no Summer League, which in my view was not a good thing. I thought his summer play would further develop the skill he’s displayed in the G-League. So there you have my thoughts, the most logical candidate to be moved would be Bronny James. He could very easily be moved to whatever team signs his dad, truth is the Cavs have reportedly opened a roster spot for him.

Big Man basketball

Whenever I mention the term “Big Man basketball” some around me are quick to respond. “The game will never return to that style of basketball” is the response I’m greeted with. Then I must go into this explanation, “I’m not talking Shaq bully ball more like occasional low post play. We are in the age of 3-point shooting and that great until a team begins missing….ask the San Antonio Spurs? The sky-hook Kareem Abdul Jabbar used was practically indefensible. I’ve often wondered why in the intervening time the shot wasn’t taught by shooting coaches for Big Men. Of course the “Steph Curry” effect changed the offense for many NBA teams.   

Opposition post players would often attempt to push Abdul Jabbar off his mark, that was the only method they could use to curtail the shot it was rarely blocked. I saw video of Wilt Chamberlain blocking Abdul Jabbar twice in one game. At one point I remember seeing post players and a number of those in the front court shoot a jump hook. Although Shaq certainly preferred a power game his arsenal contained a somewhat accurate bank shoot. Listen folks I get it, I truly like the “Wemby factor” but there are games where it might began practical for him to develop a front court game. While viewing a Summer League game one of the announcers said; “If Wemby played in the post every team would return to Big Man basketball!”