A basketball fan's perspective   

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He’s new

Much earlier we reported on Dusty May’s move from the University of Michigan to the Dallas Mavs. Then the move of Mike Malone from the broadcast booth to the University of North Carolina. As for Malone he’s got plenty of experience as a head coach----he led the Nuggets to several years of on-court success culminating with an NBA championship in 2023. Before that Malone was head man for the Kings so the experience is certainly not a question its more the location. As a general rule few head coaches have moved from the NBA to coach college basketball.

Longtime NBA and college coach Larry Brown is the only name I can think of without conducting a degree of research. Recruiting prospects is a shared responsibility but generally the head coach takes the lead in that area. This will be a different role Malone will undertake at the college level, he’s sitting in the family room of a prospect. He’s talking to the prospect but the parents as well how their son will fit in with his program. Not difficult for Malone just a different role. As for the playbook that might be the easiest portion of the job for him in this new position, we shall monitor his job performance for the upcoming season. History points to the fact that college coaches in the NBA have not been too successful, what about the future for Malone? 

Palming

It takes huge hands and certainly a strong grip to palm a basketball. A number of players have the ability and a few were able to make it an effective part of their game. It was said Wilt Chamberlain’s hands were so huge he could palm a basketball in each hand at the same time. Legendary Connie Hawkins, in addition to his great gravity defying ability, also had enormous hands which allowed him the capability to palm the ball. Dr. J. was measured at 6-foot 7 an inch shorter than Hawkins but with a similar skill set. His hands measured 9.5 inches in length and 11.75 inches in width.

Based on that set of information you are now equipped to understand those swooping drives to the basket were far easier with such gigantic hands. The Iceman George Gervin also had big enough hands to palm a basketball, and his “patented” finger roll made him extremely difficult for opposing players to defense him. Michael Jordan was an inch shorter than Dr. J. but his hands, 9.75 inches in length and the handspan was 11.375 to 11.5 inches. The Big Aristotle a.k.a. Shaquille O’Neal had hands that allowed him to also palm a basketball. Despite this fact he claimed he would often deflate a ball in order to aid his grip. I’m sure others from this generation besides Victor Wembanyama with palming ability as well. The names listed here are only a few examples, and several are likely missing. This was not meant to be an in-depth story, just a bit of information to share.

Who are they

The 2026 NBA draft provided us proof, evidence that the early portion (1-12) might describe it as a freshman draft. Last month the first 9 players chosen were all freshman which says most were probably barely out of their teens. With that said let’s look ahead at the Class of 2026 prospects, they will be freshman in the fall and declare for the NBA draft next spring. Rated at the top for most sites is Tyran Stokes, he’s a 6-foot 7 230 pound forward enrolled at Kansas. Next up we have Jordan Smith a 6-foot 2 combo guard, Smith is enrolled at Arkansas.

Caleb Holt is headed to Arizona and is a 6-foot 5 shooting guard, right behind him is 6-foot 11 Cameron Williams power forward and a Duke Blue Devil. At 5 is Jason Crowe Jr a 6-foot 3 combo guard, he will play for Dennis Gates at Mizzou, right behind him at 6 is Bruce Branch small forward BYU and Anthony Thompson small forward The Ohio State. Baba Oladotun small forward Maryland, followed by Christian Collins small power forward Southern Cal and Brandon McCoy Jr. shooting guard Michigan. As I often state there is no method to look into the future, barring injury or deciding in favor of remaining in school in all likelihood we should hear the commissioner announce their name next June.

Meanwhile….

This was funny to me, I came across this podcaster who provided us his Top 10 Duke players he hated. What I discovered interesting the names on his list all had successful collegiate seasons at Duke. Perhaps that is the issue in itself players he named were key to Coach K. and the program being one of the most successful in the nation. Interesting that Grant Hill didn’t make his list but some of the other names you are probably familiar with. At the top of his list was Christian Laettner who all Duke haters just love to hate, Laker coach JJ Redick also made this podcaster’s list. One of the more interesting names on the list was Shane Battier, to no one’s surprise Grayson Allen earned a spot.

Occasionally, I read comments from Kansas Jayhawk fans about 2013, and I’m still not sure why it remains such a sore subject for some. Here’s the situation: Louisville defeated Michigan 82-76 to win the 2013 NCAA men’s championship. A later investigation found Louisville had violated NCAA rules, and the title was vacated. Since then, a few in Jayhawk Nation have argued Kansas should be awarded “the title.” My main question is why? Vacated or not, Louisville played Michigan for the championship not Kansas. Michigan was not awarded the title, so why should Kansas receive greater consideration?

If the Lakers ever sign Jonathan Kuminga this is fact from me, he better be prepared day one to be the second coming of former Laker great James Worthy. Worthy is the gold standard anytime Laker Nation who’s a discussion on best Laker all-time at the small forward position. There is a clear basis for my view of Kuminga, I cannot think of in recent memory a player the Lakers have coveted this highly. Is it the potential of Kuminga that has the front office so excited, I wonder? I saw several games he played while a member of the Warriors and I can admit I was impressed. Why did the Warriors trade Kuminga to Atlanta if he was so highly touted, that is my first of a series of questions regarding this wing?

You can easily determine I’m no gamer, it’s simple. I fail to understand the argument raised by several individuals including some in the media over Victor Wembanyama being the cover boy for NBA 2K. The latest, Tim Hardaway claiming it should have been Jalen Brunson. Even Andre Drummond, who was not a Knick until this summer got in on the argument but wait there is more. Who was the league’s unanimous Defensive Player of the Year? Who was the ringleader for the Spurs advancing to the NBA Finals, after all this was supposed to occur next year not 2026? I can’t hear you, you need to speak a little louder, I thought you said; Victor Wembanyama.