A fan’s perspective

Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

You are the judge

One of the dot com sites I read pronounced the pairing of LaMelo Ball and Anthony “Ant Man” Edwards “the best backcourt in the NBA.” On the surface I can agree, this will be a dynamic duo should the two newly joined backcourt mates mold together. As for the comment the best that might be a question. I took a gander at several NBA backcourts and settled on seven I believe might be taken into consideration. 

Here is what I refuse to do, name the best although I have an idea of the 5-7 ranking, in this instance you become the judge. One of the keys in selection was my belief in the individuals defense, too often I believe we place far too much emphasis on the offensive aspect of the game. The defense was just as important in selecting the teams. As for the Knicks and Spurs I’m listing three players, I’m going to detail the teams and names but as for the order that’s left up to you to determine the ranking, with that statement here goes:

Wolves-LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards

Thunder-SGA and Jalen Williams

Knicks-Jalen Brunson and Mikael Bridges (Josh Hart)

Lakers-Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves

Cavs-Donovan Mitchell and James Hardin

Sixers-Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe

Spurs-DeAaron Fox and Stephen Castle (Dylan Harper) 

One more story

Byron Scott played alongside Kobe Bryant in the backcourt and later served as his head coach with the Lakers.  This is one more story on Bryant told by Scott. “I’ve seen three players who worked out at a greater level than any player I can remember, they were Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and Kobe Bryant. He (Bryant) would be in the gym at 4:00 a.m. 2-3 hours lifting (weights), he would then eat breakfast. He would return to the gym and put up 500 shots, he would then go to a 2.5-3 hour practice.

He said over a 5-year period players can’t catch me.” Like me you likely have read similar stories, those that claimed Kobe was a difficult teammate. It’s likely he expected everyone to work at the same level he did, of course most couldn’t or didn’t. I believe that belief is key to why he and Shaq eventually butted heads. Shaquille O’Neal was one of the most talented NBA players ever but that was part of the problem. Most likely Shaq’s work ethic fell into eventual discover with teammate Kobe. Once the rift developed who do you trade, I believe the answer is clear.

Who are they

This is my list of the top men’s college basketball coaches in the nation, depending on your location or affiliation some of the names on this list might be greeted with hisses and boos. In addition there are coaches who have never won an NCAA championship, winning it all is certainly noteworthy but there are other criteria for me that denote a successful coach. How about turning out consistent winning teams year after year after year. The list is not in specific order, you might disagree with my choices but that’s okay. This list is always at a point where it could be expanded, there are at least two names for the future. These names are not listed due to the length of time they have been successful head coaches nor in any order as well. With the disclaimer out of the way let’s begin the adventure:

Mark Few, Gonzaga University

He’s been in charge of the program since 1999, all he’s managed to do was win over 770 regular season games. How about this tidbit of news, the Bulldogs have earned an NCAA tournament invite every single year of his head coaching career. It’s also worth mentioning Few is one of a small number to be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame while remaining an active coach.

Dan Hurley, UConn

Allow the booing to begin, Hurley is disliked in a great number of circles but not by his players. His teams have twice been NCAA tournament winners. Hurley has 350 wins and 180 losses for a .660 percentage. In 16 years at Wagner, Rhode Island and UConn there are only 3 losing seasons on his resume. 

Bill Self, Kansas

Winner of 2 NCAA championship teams, he’s won 840 games at 3 coaching stops including the Jayhawks. Who knows how this would have turned out, Mizzou had an opportunity to hire him at a point but passed. Would his numbers have been the same, that’s an unproven factor but he’s been on the job at Kansas since the 2003-04 season. Self’s been inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Rick Pitino, St. John’s

He’s been coaching since the early 1900s, just joking although he first became a head coach in the 1975-76 season. Pitino’s won NCAA championships at Kentucky and Louisville, his win total at a number of coaching stops, 791. At age 74 he continues to coach a young man’s game and its likely he will continue so into the future. Pitino has also been inducted in the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Kelvin Sampson, Houston

Right behind Pitino at 70 years of age, don’t allow his age to fool you. Sampson is just as involved in coaching as any of his counterparts. Sampson’s teams have won 828 games at his various coaching stops. The Cougars have been a member of the Big 12 three years and his teams have finished 1st, 1st and 2nd.

Todd Golden, Florida

Here we have the “baby” of the bunch at 41-years of age, he might be young but his resume is impressive. His first year at Florida (2022-23) the Gators won 16 games while losing 17. Since then they are 24-12, 36-4 and 27-8, the 2025 team was NCAA champion. Golden’s career numbers at San Francisco and Florida, 160 wins along with 77 loses for a .675 percentage.

Nate Oats, Alabama

Anytime the Crimson Tide is mentioned the conversation is not necessarily football. After a lull in wins Oats was hired and that first team in 2019-20 finished with a 16-15 record. His third year the Tide dipped to a 19 win season but has rebounded since then. Oats is adept at recruiting and his teams are always competitive, he’s sent several players to the NBA.

Matt Painter, Purdue

Anytime Big 10 men’s basketball is discussed Tom Izzo at Michigan State is the name first mentioned. The basis for this is simple, the Spartan coach is the longest tenured coach in the conference. As for Painter his last five teams have won 30 plus games. The Boilermakers have been NCAA bound for six consecutive years.  

I understand the why

I’m sure you noticed the sale price of NBA franchises lately, they have risen steadily over the last several years. I’m unsure if any single proprietors remain in the NBA comparable to the Lakers Jerry Buss or Paul Allen Blazers. Maybe Steve Ballmer Clippers owner and Knicks owner James Dolan might be the exception. The NBA is discussing expansion and the proposed franchise for Las Vegas has quite a hefty price tag attached to it.

Reports are the franchise is priced at $12 to $14 million, a mighty large sum of money. Despite the amount of money three groups are reported to be interested in purchasing the Las Vegas franchise. One of the names mentioned is Nancy Walton Laurie daughter of Bud Walton founder of Walmart. Her husband Bill Laurie is a former owner of the NHL St. Louis Blues. The Laurie’s live in Henderson, Nevada so that would further connect them to a Las Vegas NBA team. As you can see with millions of dollars required to own an NBA franchise only folks with deep, deep pockets are able to entertain ownership.