A basketball fan's perspective   

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General Manager

This blog follows basketball however there is a created position that entails all college sports. We are reading that more and more college teams are hiring general managers, at the professional level we are familiar with the role---but what about college? The “amateur status” is a little confusing in this age, based on that fact alone I thought for my clarification (and maybe yours) I would attempt to clarify the role of a college general manager. What you are about to read is not mine, it emanates from AI Overview. 

“The general manager (GM) role in college sports—most prominently in college football—has exploded into a vital front-office position. Driven by the transfer portal, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and revenue-sharing, college GMs handle roster construction, salary-cap style budgeting, and player evaluation much like professional sports executives.” Keep in mind this definition identifies football as the driving force but basketball is also a key as to why many schools are hiring general managers. I hope this explanation helps, it certainly cleared confusion for me.

This will sound negative

No argument on my part (and I hope not yours), LeBron James has secured his place in NBA history. Moving from the Lakers to the Sixers several analysts have already secured the 2027 NBA championship for the Sixers. On paper this team appears quite formidable, Joel Embiid at center, LeBron at the power forward. We then have Jaylen Brown at the small forward along with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe at the one and two positions.

I’m unsure who made the statement however they believed the Sixers could have a 20 plus points a scorer at each position. This is certainly possible however it ain’t gonna happen for a variety of reasons. This is not intended to degrade them however the Sixer reserves don’t appear out of the ordinary. During the season, a reserve roster or two bolstered by the presence of the starters will exceed expectations. We could look this past season at Dylan Harper and Keldon Johnson of the Spurs as examples. Both athletes played vital roles in the Sixers competing for an NBA championship. History could repeat itself, a Sixer reserve maybe two backing up this team of all-stars will rise to championship play.

He did what

You remember the name Pablo Torre don’t you, he’s a media reporter who covers a wide range of subjects however his chief focus is sports. Torre was directly responsible for bringing the Kawhi Leonard-Aspiration story to the forefront. He reported that Aspiration allegedly paid Leonard “under the table” to help the Clippers circumvent the NBA salary cap. The NBA hired a law firm last year to investigate, but the review has not been completed. The commissioner has indicated the report could be finished by the start of the 2026-27 season.

While we await for the Aspiration findings, Torre has dropped another bombshell, he is reporting that Leonard had an arrangement with Daktronics, the company that developed the Clippers’ videoboard. At this point, it is only a report and offers no proof of wrongdoing. Still, whether it involves Aspiration or Daktronics, the concern remains. I have no issue with athletes earning as much as possible through salaries and endorsements. But if Leonard is found guilty, it would be a black eye for the NBA. Even without proof, I’m concerned. This could prove to be one more troubling concern for the NBA and the Raptors. The Raptors have not violated any rules however over the summer traded for Kawhi Leonard.

2002

It was 2002, the world saw Yao Ming of China drafted number one by the Houston Rockets. Although Yao was not the first Chinese player in the NBA he projected as the readiest to compete. As for the first Chinese player the honor belonged to Wang Zhizhi drafted in 1999 by the Mavericks and who made his debut in 2001. Back to Ming, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year and the NBA was excited. The NBA seeing a populace the size of China would witness a steady stream of talent headed to the U.S. As this is written there have been 8 players in total from China who managed a brief time in the NBA. Unfortunately a succession of players since Ming have arrived on these shores and after a few seasons been unable to adapt and returned home.

Injuries would cut short the career of Ming however he made enough of mark in the NBA his play led to him being enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2016. What does the future hold for Chinese talent? That question will remain unanswered for a time however the 2025 draft saw Yang Hansen drafted by the Grizzlies and his rights were traded to the Blazers. He would play 43 games for the Blazers and a number of others with the G-League Rip City Remix. The jury remains out on Hansen for now but it is clear China must adapt and revise its training schedule if the nation hopes to see an increase in the number of Chinese players in the NBA. In addition to the last statement it would aid the cause if the government would allow a select number of prospects to attend and play in American colleges.