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Research is vital

I have always strived to ensure information contained in Off the Dribble is accurate as possible. This account you are reading is 100% accurate and correct. That is the title of the account, research is vital before providing information. I am laying the groundwork for a social network feed I came across. The host tested his partner in naming “The original 8 teams of the NBA.” Well fans there are several issues picky me found in watching the video which I am about to correct. In 1946 technically speaking there was no NBA as he stated, he was actually referring to the Basketball Association of America and even with that his video was incorrect.

The BAA began play with 11 teams, not 8 as this host indicated to the viewers. In addition, the host identified the Minneapolis Lakers as one of the “original 8,” which was another mistake, and then placed the team in Minnesota. In 1946, the Detroit Gems began play in the National Basketball League. The following year, the franchise moved to Minneapolis and became the Lakers. On August 3, 1949, the National Basketball League merged with the Basketball Association of America to form the National Basketball Association we recognize today. The social network site may reach more readers than Off the Dribble, but those who read this blog will at least come away with the correct history. If you read a story and it appears questionable research it, doesn’t matter who wrote it….even me!

The Dampier’s

If you are a certain age you might remember the name Erick Dampier. He was drafted by the Pacers in the first round in 1996, over his 16-year career in addition to time with the Pacers he played for four other teams. The 6-foot 11 Dampier has two sons who took up the sport of their NBA father. The eldest son Erick Dampier Jr. enters his junior year this month at Madison-Ridgeland Academy located in Madison Mississippi. Junior is a 6-foot 10 230 pound center, most scouting sites rate Jr. a 5-star prospect.

Although he is entering his junior year of high school as this is written there are 5 schools with offers, Mississippi State (his father’s alma mater), Purdue, Kentucky, Florida State and Alabama. But wait there is more to the story of the Dampier family. Our focus is 10-year old Derrick Dampier, he’s also taken up the sport of his father and older sibling. Derrick has quite a bit of growth both with his game and his body, although still very young he stands nearly 6-feet in height. We’ll track the basketball progress of both Dampier brothers over the next several years.

The End

I borrowed the title from a 1967 classic by The Doors, a rock band of the era. It was written as a breakup tune by lead singer Jim Morrison about his girlfriend. We are at the point of another breakup or The End, this time it involves basketball. This upcoming basketball season will see the final edition of the Kansas-Missouri Border War (we don’t like to use war to describe it). I’ve written of the history on several occasions but a brief return, the two schools have played over 100 years of basketball. All that changed once Mizzou moved to the SEC while Kansas remained in the Big 12.

I’m not going to point fingers however after years of non-play between the two schools a 6-year contract was signed. The two schools would play one another during the non-con portion of their schedule alternating home courts. It will be T-Mobile in Kansas City and we are almost there. Sunday December 6, 2027, the schools will face each other for the last time, the series will have ended and there is no indication it will be renewed. It’s being reported Mizzou’s Dennis Gates want’s the series to continue however Bill Self Kansas head man appears less enthusiastic about extending the series. Gates has limited ability to continue on the other hand the same cannot be said for Self. As for my view I am really neutral, if the series is renewed I’m okay, if not I remain okay.

Meanwhile….

I must applaud former NBA player Patrick Beverly, he went undrafted yet managed to parlay his limited skill into a 12-year NBA career with several teams. The other portion of him I must just shake my head, it would appear Beverly has commentary on practically anything and everything related to the NBA. I’m unsure how it occurs, it seems either members of the media are seeking him out or vice-versa. On the surface one could state he’s voicing his opinion on a particular matter, that’s okay in a sense. Four days a week you read this blog where I’m offering you my view of a subject, 99% of the time I have no first-hand knowledge either. The difference of course he’s got “street cred” because he played, I didn’t.

The court ruled in favor of former Mizzou Tiger Mark Mitchell, this is the conundrum that’s become of college basketball today. Originally Mitchell and others were reported to have secured a 5th year of eligibility which is where the issue first cropped up. Mizzou had no room on its roster, with high school and transfer members plus returners no room on the roster existed without movement. One present member must be redshirted, which is certainly unfair to someone assuming they would receive a degree of play. Mitchell moved on to Kentucky although with the ruling he will be a Kentucky Wildcat this fall and winter. I hope you understand this rant is not aimed at Mitchell, the problem is much larger than him and others. Someone smarter than me can lead college basketball out of this malaise it’s become in recent years.  

Based mostly on an NBA championship (2025) and other factors OKC moved quickly to replace Paycom Center with the yet to be constructed Continental Coliseum. The project is moving along without any impediments or turmoil, as for other portions of the nation that sentiment is not the same. In San Antonio, the Spurs improved play also witnessed a desire for a Frost Bank Center replacement along with additional urban development. This project has not moved as swiftly as that of OKC due to some pushback. This past Monday the city council voted to reject a proposal for a public vote on city funds to subsidize the arena, stay tuned for additional developments on this story.