A basketball fan's perspective  

Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Not trying to rush anything

School begins this month for high schoolers and those in college. As for those playing college basketball I was anxious to check out how the NBA mock draft sites rated the freshman class. You understand the why, nowadays the first 7-10 picks in the first round of the NBA draft are generally freshman college players. Nowhere is excitement any greater than Columbia Missouri, it would appear coach Dennis Gates has assembled a capable group of athletes. Of course it’s yet to be determined if this team will come together, the middle of January is my usual barometer of measurement.

I’ve mentioned and some are aware Mizzou has its highest rated incoming prospect since Michael Porter Jr arrived on campus. Based on this fact I wanted to check NBA mock draft sites to determine early on what they thought of his prospects and to be honest I was a little surprised. My first source nbadraft.net placed point guard Jason Crowe Jr the number two pick in 2027.  The surprise, nbadraftroom omits Crowe Jr.’s name in the first or second round while tankathon.com mock places him at 19. A quick check of espn’s mock draft also fails to list Crowe Jr’s name. So as you can see there are mixed beliefs regarding the freshman point guard, all this could change of course either negatively or positively once the season begins.

Paging Adam Silver….paging Mr. Silver

I believe in all the years of publishing Off the Dribble there have been no more than three stories written by me regarding NBA commissioner Silver. This is one that involves the commissioner, Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers and the Raptors. I have no intention of repeating a story you are familiar with, the shorten version, Kawhi or the Clippers or someone attempted to circumvent the salary cap. This would be done by paying the player under a no-work contract. The commissioner, through his NBA authority  would hire a law firm to investigate both Kawhi and the Clippers.

This investigation began shortly before the 2025-26 season commenced, well September became December and later April rolled around with no resolution. The NBA championship was concluded and at some point I don’t remember the date the commissioner said, “We’ll soon have a decision rendered.” We are now in August and late last week I believe Silver indicated he was yet to receive a completed investigation. We are about to enter year two of this investigation with nothing to report. Those of us in the U.S. has discovered this law firm moves slower than the U.S. Congress. Silver certainly has more information on this issue than me, however, its time he contacts this law firm and demands this matter be resolved in the next 30 days.

It’s understandable

I happen to believe Shaquille O’Neal, he asserts Laker fans never embraced LeBron James. He makes the same statement about himself but his case is somewhat different. He contends his feud with Kobe Bryant and the fact he was eventually traded are the basis. Laker fans will love on you all day long however there are exceptions. I informed you weeks ago of my belief it was the manner LeBron arrived to play for the Lakers. They really didn’t “recruit” LeBron he more or less recruited the Lakers. In some circles fans held the notion “He was trying to replace Kobe Bryant” (which I never subscribed too).

As for Shaq many believe the feud between he and Kobe was the basis for the team losing the 2004 NBA championship, the Lakers were heavy favorites yet lost 4 games to 1. Laker fans are fickle and it’s my belief it doesn’t matter if the team drafted you are not. As an example I believe Robert Horry remains in high esteem to most in Laker Nation. He arrived by way of a trade with the Suns but with the Lakers he became “Big Shot Rob” for the many clutch shots he delivered. Going back even further the team fails to win at least one NBA championship if not for Klay Thompson’s father Mycal. Thompson was obtained in a February trade with the Blazers. He helped them win the 1987 and 1988 NBA championship. Those of you reading this understand this one fact, Laker Nation is unforgiving if they believe you’ve betrayed them in some manner.

Future growth

It is highly unlikely we see any additional NBA growth in the near future. In this instance I speak of expansion, an existing team relocating to another city is more a possibility to adding a team. Once the Las Vegas ________ and Seattle Sonics appear the NBA will consist of 32 teams. How about the numbers for other sports, well the NFL contains 32 teams and major league baseball encompasses 30, with 15 in the National League and 15 in the American League. The number 32 sure seems to repeat itself, the NHL also contains 32 teams. Back to the NBA, there are major markets the NBA has given a glance at however nothing serious has ever developed or is likely to occur. If the league decided to expand there would only be two teams added in my opinion but where?

Nashville and Louisville are the cities that first come to mind, there are others like Austin which could support an NBA team but is too near San Antonio. Florida has Orlando and Miami, that practically excludes Tampa and Jacksonville from ever having NBA basketball. The same could be said for Baltimore, to near Washington D.C., Pittsburgh has an outside chance but must prove the city is hungry enough for NBA basketball. San Diego has a huge population base but two failed NBA franchises with the Rockets (Houston) and Clippers. How about outside the United States, the NBA could look north toward Canada, Montreal and Vancouver could be viable candidates. Then again Mexico City could be that team however I have serious doubts now if that would ever occur. Did you take note of which major metro city is missing?