Basketball from a fan perspective

Not again

We figured cancelling the 2020 NCAA Tournament proved costly, how about $375 million worth.  That is the reported financial figure lost from last springs cancelled series.  Coach K. interviewed on ESPN said, “The NCAA cannot afford to cancel another tournament.”  His statement provokes another question, we hope the ravages of COVID are behind us by March 2021.  What if the pandemic is still raging at the same level it is in August 2020?  I have a solution although it might be cumbersome, follow the NBA lead. 

For example, the Top 5 teams from each conference would be assembled and transported to Florida.  The tournament would be conducted in the same manner…single elimination and you are homeward bound.  This is an easy approach and I make no claims about it working however the blueprint laid out by the NBA appears to work.  Athletes from those gathered in Orlando would be placed in the same type of bubble as NBA players.  Something must be done; I agree with the coach we cannot have the tournament cancelled two seasons in a row.  All this is contingent on colleges having a successful 2020-21 season with no COVID shutdown.

His name is out there

Jason Kidd is among the coaching candidates’ names we hear being discussed.  Several might be unaware Kidd is currently serving as an assistant coach with my Lakers.  Prior to becoming a Laker assistant, he coached the Bucks from 2014-2018, before that the Nets from 2013-2014.  I remember at the time he was hired as head coach of the Nets I believed it was too soon.  Kidd a point guard throughout his NBA career was accustomed to moving players around on the court. 

Moving and motivating an entire team is a different matter altogether.  With no coaching experience he was able to guide the Nets to a 44-38 record however they lost in the Conference semi-finals.  As for the Bucks his record is mixed however, he played a role in developing Giannis Antetokounmpo.  In January 2018 after a slow start Bucks management fired him.  There might be an argument in some circles however it is the belief by many Kidd probably deserves another opportunity to coach in the NBA. 

What do you think?

Power 5 conferences garner countless amounts of television and media coverage.  That is not to state the only good basketball might come from one of those conferences.  We had no NCAA Tournament which is a good barometer on the strength of a team and conference.  With play concluding early due to COVID let us look at the Top 25 teams at the time play concluded.  Two of the first five, Gonzaga (2) and Dayton (3) compete in the Western and Atlantic 10 Conference, respectively. 

San Diego State (6) and Creighton (7) are members of the Mountain West and Big East, Villanova (10) and Seton Hall (15) are both Big East members too.  We conclude with BYU (18) a West Coast member and Houston (22) American Athletic Conference, Butler (23) Big East.  As this look points out regarding last season’s Top 25, we can state conclusively it is not just a sanctuary for Power 5 schools, there are plenty of mid-majors who compete in the sport of basketball. 

Monarchs

This story is a revisit, we discussed the Kansas City Monarchs and their history.  Relax if the name is unfamiliar to you, the name is associated with the baseball team which represented Kansas City in the Negro Leagues from 1920-1965.  At the time black players were not permitted to play in the major leagues, in 1947 Jackie Robinson would become the first black player in the modern era to play baseball in the majors. 

With the rich history connected to the Monarch name plus the 100-year old Negro Leagues why not allow it to flow again nightly on SportsCenter.  Now that we have that out of the way how about an NBA team, does not matter if it is an expansion team or one relocating to Kansas City.  As an example, when the Cincinnati Royals move to Kansas City, they took on a new name, they became the Kings.  I ran this story past several in the city who greeted it with lukewarm response.  Sometimes team names must grow on you, I thought “Thunder” was a poor choice for team name however that is what Oklahoma City management apparently agreed on.      

If this is a repeat…I am sorry

The throw away Laker game versus the Kings featured Talen Horton-Tucker in action.  The Laker shooting guard is built like an NFL running back or outside linebacker, he stands 6 foot 4 and weighs 234 pounds.  Horton-Tucker has traveled an interesting path to the NBA, his play at Iowa State was rather ordinary 11.8 points a game, 41% from the floor.  He was drafted in the second round by the Magic in 2019 the 46^th pick which gives you an idea the thought of NBA scouts. 

Since the trade Horton-Tucker has spent the greater portion of his professional career in the G-League playing for the South Bay Lakers.  Laker management continues to speak in glowing terms regarding Horton-Tucker and his potential.  If we look beyond the 2020 season will Horton-Tucker become a valued reserve or one who could possibly move into the starting lineup?  We have no answer regarding either question however this view is certainly worth entertaining for the immediate future.  

Basketball from a fan perspective

Rear view mirror 

Media members who will remain unnamed (you know many of them) will no longer be featured in Words eye view.  There is a basis for the decision and none of it has anything to do with raising my basketball IQ or my understanding.  It seems be it radio or television the reporting has bottomed out, this was mentioned in the past.  A number believe their view of a subject is the ONLY view and that is not right. 

These media members often become clownish becoming more story than the one they are reporting.  We have discovered they have no more idea of an outcome than our pre-teen children.  I know, I have made this statement in the past but this time I intend to follow through.  Truth is the policy has been in place at least two-three weeks.  Publications will continue to be a source of subject matter however the television guys are officially persona non grata.  The actors have been placed in the rear view mirror and will no longer play a part in this publication. 

NBA coaches

Alvin Gentry was the latest, fired from his head coaching job with the Pelicans, the Bulls dismissed Jim Boylen.  Who is next, we have no idea however there will be other coaches who will not return for the 2020-21 NBA season?  The cbssports.com.nba page contained several interesting names including two long shot candidates, they are Becky Hammon Spurs assistant and Mark Jackson ESPN analyst. 

These two are probably the most unlikely to be hired as a head coach, it has nothing to do with their ability allow me to explain.  Hammon became an assistant with Gregg Popovich in 2014 the first woman to serve in that role, question is the NBA or rather are players ready to be led by a female?  We do not have an answer for the question other than to state perhaps not yet.  Mark Jackson, the long-time ESPN/ABC analyst once served as the Warriors head coach. 

Steve Kerr is an incredibly good coach however that first championship team many believe Jackson was the architect behind the success.  Jackson is never mentioned on any teams short list of candidates.  Besides the two profiled what is unlikely to occur is a “rookie” hire, i.e. an assistant who is never served as a head coach.  Question, how do you become a head coach if you are never given the opportunity? 

What is old becomes new

The University of Missouri-Kansas City after moving from the ranks of an independent joined the Summit League in the 1994-95 season.  The Kangaroos or Roos left the Summit in 2013 for the Western Athletic Conference, the change in conferences did not prove fruitful.  The travel, whoa the travel budget, flying from Kansas City to Washington and California probably blew up the budget.  The Summit is a better fit for several reasons, all the schools apart from the University of Denver are in the Central Time Zone.  The Roos experienced their best season in memory with a 16-14 in the WAC, they certainly hope to improve on that now that UMKC has returned to the Summit.   

Were number one

That college chant “were number one” is true for Baylor Nation.  The ESPN way to early Top 25 poll places the Bears in the top slot.  In this instance it might be COVID (or something else), Jerad Butler sophomore guard and junior guard Macio Teague return rather than head for the NBA.  With these two plus an experienced roster we might see why ESPN raised them to the top of the heap. 

Is ESPN stating the road to the Big 12 Championship runs through Waco Texas?  Surprises (for me at least), the Creighton Bluejays rated number 11.  This mid major school continues to play basketball with the big boys.  Greg McDermott is now in his 11^th season at the helm, his Bluejays have been consistent winners during his tenure.  How the mighty have fallen North Carolina, the Tarheels clock in at number 15.  This certainly not complete just a tidbit on the thoughts of ESPN writers. 

Sometimes you have no response

I have mentioned on several occasions in the past my wife is a casual NBA fan, she hardly knows any of today’s NBA players.  She is familiar with a few names, LeBron James, the late Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dwayne Wade.  Julius Erving was her favorite player and she would view games with me anytime the Sixers played.  As for the players mentioned earlier my wife might only be familiar with Wade due to his marriage to actress Gabrielle Union. 

She is acquitted with the Ball family thanks to yours truly bombarding her with stories on the father.  Lonzo’s first year in the NBA I informed my wife he purchased a $300,000 Rolls-Royce as a Christmas gift to his parents.  The response was quite interesting, she said: “Did they ask for it?”  I had no further comment because I did not have an answer to her question and its clear to me my wife was unimpressed. 

Basketball from a fan perspective

Draft lottery

By Thursday evening August 20 we know for sure, the draft lottery will have occurred, and the draft order will be established.  The Warriors, Wolves or Cavs will have the top pick according to Tankathon.com.  The website claims each of the above teams has a 52% chance of landing picks one through four.  The Hawks are next up at 48.1% and then the Pistons at 42.1% and it drops down to the Grizz with a 2.4% chance of landing anywhere from one to four. 

As you are aware the order of the draft is weighted therefore the team record is the criteria for the number of balls a team is allowed in the hopper.  As for the date that established this process it was March 11 the day play was suspended in the NBA.  That top pick will be determined by the Warriors, Wolves or Cavs and their need.  On the other hand, a team could trade the draft rights for a veteran player although that is not likely to occur. 

tankathon.com

The NBA playoffs

It will be far different this year, i.e. the NBA playoffs.  Due to COVID we are witnessing the latest playoff beginning in NBA history, in addition to the virus causing this late start there is at least one clear advantage.  No travel for the Mavs to contest the Clippers, the same statement is made regarding Orlando-Milwaukee, there is no home court advantage for the first time ever.  One of the chief player complaints is travel, with that being a non-issue should we expect a better playoff?  That will unfold over time and you and me can come to our own conclusions.  Sit back and enjoy the playoff run I know I will.    

They were not his first NBA team

If you say the name Robert Parrish your thoughts reflect the time he played for the Celtics.  Despite only seeing him in green the Celtics were his second NBA team.  The Warriors drafted Parrish as the 8^th pick in the first round of the 1976 draft and after a slow start played well for them although the team was not good.  The shrewd Red Auerbach made a trade that changed the Celtics fortunes for the next several years, the Celtics lost Dave Cowens to retirement and needed a replacement at the center position. 

Auerbach managed to secure a trade for Parrish and the Warriors first round pick in 1980, with the Warriors pick they drafted Kevin McHale.  Both players along with Larry Bird would be key contributors to four NBA championships, one trade and the Celtics solidified their future.  Parrish would play for two additional teams the Hornets and the Bulls before he retired with 21 NBA seasons under his belt.  Parrish is another of those double honorees enshrined in the College Basketball and Naismith Hall of Fame.   

They have time

College basketball both men’s and women’s sits in a unique position.  The powers to be (whomever they are) can look at each of the professional sports and their effort to play the game.  I have not paid close attention to the NHL however they are at play in a restart of the season; we know what occurred with the NBA, no need of detailing that here.  On the other hand, baseball seems to have stumbled out of the gate on wobbly legs, COVID has ravaged at least one baseball team.  How many games will be missed before forfeit might come into play?  That is another story for later, back to the subject at hand. 

The NFL appears ready to begin play but it too appears somewhat shaky, as this is written at least two college power football conferences have announced the cancellation of fall sports.  Back to basketball, the commissioners should not repeat the stumbling, bumbling act of college football.  They should explore how the other sports such as the NBA and NHL appear to have succeeded in this short space of time.  College basketball does not have a commissioner like professional sports however it would appear smarter guys than me could figure out a safe method for us to enjoy college basketball since its apparent at least two major football conferences will be shut down.  

Basketball from a fan perspective

The First

Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry was fired early Saturday morning, he becomes the first coach terminated at the end of the 2019-20 season.  His dismissal comes at the end of 5 seasons at the helm and the poor performance by the Pelicans in the NBA re-start may have been the final factor.  Rest assured Gentry maybe knew ahead of time he was skating on thin ice based on his recent past with the team.  Hopefully, the Pelicans will make a good hire in replacing Gentry, they have Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Lonzo Ball, and a host of others who should be able to aid a youthful team.  Will the Pelicans hire an assistant or go with a veteran coach?  It is difficult to say at this point, it should prove interesting whomever is hired for the job.  

Cheers and Jeers

The good, the NBA was able to complete the 2019-20 season…the playoffs begin this upcoming week.  There are play-in games however for the most part the teams have been matched.  Who wins, we have no idea the hope is the games are competitive and worthy of the time we spend viewing them.  The bad, there really is no bad except those who were opposed to the NBA even attempting a re-start.  I guess we could say finance is a bad several teams will be underwater at the end of the calendar year.  Despite this factor we read many will still bid for free agents once that becomes the prime focus.   

Zion shuts it down

His numbers are amazing, Zion Williamson stands 6 foot 6 inches and tips the scales at 284 pounds.  Imagine this, Zion is bigger than most NFL players only an offensive or defensive lineman would top him in weight, he is bigger than most tight ends and linebackers.  We have heard the call since the beginning of the season, “Williamson needs to lose weight.” 

The Pelican forward indicates he will condition himself in the off season and prepare for his role in 2020-21.  It is probably unfair however we must look at a player of the past…Charles Barkley.  Barkley is the same height of Zion however Chuck played at 252 pounds, at the time many believed Chuck needed to lose weight as well.  It is far too early to make an accurate assessment however Chuck managed a successful NBA career and too our knowledge never lost any weight. 

Draft Lottery

Friday August 21 the cloudy picture of the 2020 draft will become clearer.  Questions will likely continue right up to draft night however the position of the Warriors or Kings will be finalized.   A question remains on the who, who do the Knicks or Cavs draft?  The who remains just that at least for now until the draft however we might receive hints.  What about the 2020 draft, from this fan’s perspective it appears a mix bag for now?  There is certainly talent, but we have no idea of the depth, in addition one or two maybe more will not fully develop their talent until their sophomore season or even beyond that.  Despite the fact the NBA Draft might appear to be a gamble its certainly one NBA teams are willing to undergo.   

After the same athlete

It was the 2011-12 season when Mizzou departed the Big 12 for the SEC, border neighbor Kansas remained a Big 12 member.  Despite the fact the two schools are close road/air mails they rarely are in competition for the same athlete in football or basketball.  On occasion they can sometimes be seen recruiting the same player as is the case here.  Local athlete Aidan Shaw is a 6-foot 7 inch small forward and in the Class of 2022.  Shaw attends Blue Valley High School in Stillwell (KS) a suburban city in metro Kansas City (MO).  Although Shaw is not playing AAU basketball this summer last season, Shaw played for MOKAN.   

Thoughts  

“I think there were a lot of big guys when I played. Guys that weighed more than I did and a few guys that were taller than I was, there were a lot of seven-footers. Today the guys are much more athletic, and I sometimes think when you have so much going on for you with your body, how is your head. I think the center position is suffering. I think they have lousy centers out there. There are only 2 or 3 that are really good, and the rest couldn’t make Overbrook high-school.”  Wilt Chamberlain

The late Wilt Chamberlain made this statement in a television interview in 1987, let us check out the NBA centers around that time frame.  The names will be provided, it is up to you to determine their skill level, the centers age is not factored into the account.  Several players might be in their last few years others in the middle and some beginning play in the NBA.  Below are several centers of the era Chamberlain mentioned, if some names are unfamiliar consult your sources. 

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Robert Parrish

Moses Malone

Hakeem Olajuwon

David Robinson

Brad Daugherty

Mark Eaton

Bill Laimbeer 

Joe Barry Carroll

Artis Gilmore

Walt Bellamy

Wes Unseld

Basketball from a fan perspective

This is amazing

2020 is the year the Spurs failed to earn a playoff berth, you might say, “So what!”  How about this bit of information, 22 consecutive seasons the Spurs qualified for post-season play?  To provide you a bit of trivia the last time the Spurs did not play was 1996-97, the news of the day that year.  The Hot 100 that year the Puff Daddy and Mase song, Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down. Titanic was the leading movie at the box office in 1997, as for wealth $1.00 in 1997 is now valued at $1.62 however that is mostly due to inflation and not an actual increase in wealth. 

Seinfeld and ER were battling as the most viewed weekly television series.  That look back gives you just a small dose of success the Spurs have endured under longtime Coach Gregg Popovich.  Even more interesting to many Pop’s winning numbers did not reflect his great coaching skill until he took over the Spurs.  At Division III Pomona-Pitzer he won 76 games and lost 129 over an 8-year period, once he became Spurs coach all that changed.  Coach Pop one of the best in the business, we are not likely to see one like him once he leaves the NBA. 

Where are you Phil Jackson?

The Bulls fired Jim Boylen on Friday after two seasons, Boylen becomes the 10^th head or interim coach since Phil Jackson left Chicago in 1998.  Allow me to admit I have not paid a great deal of attention to the Bulls in recent years, those of you in Chicagoland might have more insight than yours truly.  Most interesting Tom Thibodeau was named Coach of the Year in 2011 yet in May 2015 he too was fired by the Bulls. 

A bit of trivia, two former Iowa State coaches once served in that role with the Bulls, Tim Floyd (1998-2001) and Fred Hoiberg (2015-2018).  Jim Boylan (that is not a misspell) served as interim head coach from 2007-2008.  My poor math skills indicates the Bulls have changed coaches every 2.2 years since Jackson relinquished his tenure.  We guess a portion of the issues facing the franchise must be in the front office.  It should be of note Jackson had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and a talented bunch of guys playing for him. 

Bits n Pieces  

August 3^rd, we implied all everything high school talent Emoni Bates might head to Michigan State next year rather than wait until the fall of 2022.  Bates is hinting that possibility could occur on his twitter account, what once was rumor could become the truth.  What next, Big Man Enoch Boakye also coming on board in 2022 does he reclassify too?  Only time will answer those and other questions for us. 

The Kings have missed post-season play for the 14^th consecutive year, Vlade Divac stepped down as general manager.  Divac was replaced by Joe Dumars formerly of the Detroit Pistons assumed the role of interim general manager in addition to his role as interim as vice president of basketball operations.  Take heart Knick fans, you thought your team was bad Kings fans have you beat.   

No revisionist history

Chris Paul was being interviewed after a recent Thunder game.  I was not focused on Paul’s comments my thought drifted to what might have been, a number might remember he should be a Laker.  In 2011 the Hornets traded Paul to the Lakers only to see then Commissioner David Stern void the trade, weeks later he was traded to the Clippers.  Since then it has been the Rockets and now Thunder but that is not the focus, if the trade had not been voided, he would still be a Laker. 

In an unusual move the Hornets at that time were operating under league ownership until an owner could be found.  Stern vetoed the trade referring to it as not in the best interest of the NBA.  A look back would see Chris Paul 26 years old at the time, the late Kobe Bryant 33 years old at the two.  Pau Gasol would have departed, either Joe Smith or Theo Ratliff become the team’s power forward.  Andrew Bynum at center along with Metta World Peace at small forward would round out the starters.  Emerging from the Laker bench is Derek Fisher, Luke Walton, and tough guy Matt Barnes.  Lamar Odom would also depart in the move to acquire Paul, think this team might work?

Basketball from a fan perspective

The return of the traditional Big Man

Kareem Abdul Jabbar has not shot his skyhook in years, we have seen no “shake and bake move” by Hakeem Olajuwon or thunderous dunk by Shaquille O’Neal.  None of the stars of the past are returning to the basketball court, they remain retired.  Exactly what are you saying to us Larry Laker?  I am simply stating small ball and the traditional Big Man can co-exist in the same space and time.  

Now consider this series of thoughts, there remain in the game 7-foot centers.  “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” as the saying goes, NBA teams see the success of the Warriors and you know the balance of that story. You have a high school Big Man with a game resembling that of Kareem, you are telling me a coach is not going to attempt to develop that potential talent.  

My thought process as a coach says, “forget about the 3-point line, don’t even think about it.”  Why is your 7-footer taking a 3-point shot when a dunk, sky hook or bank shot is much closer (and potentially) more accurate and effective.  I know I am not going to win some of you over but that is okay, everything goes in circles.  As an example, men’s pleated slacks were in style in the 1940’s, they fell out of favor and returned in the 1970’s.  Hold on, it might not be next season or five years from now, but we will witness the return of the traditional Big Man at some point in the future.

The Road less traveled

Often in life you reach that fork in the road, “should I take the left route or the right?”  That scenario stood before James “Fly” Williams, do not worry if you are unfamiliar with his name most are these days.  He is 64-years old now in prison a convicted drug dealer and we can only state what might have been.  The lure of street life appealed to Fly while he was a youth however, he managed to graduate from high school and found himself at Austin Peay University in Nashville.  

His numbers as a freshman were outstanding 29.4 points a game, he scored 51 points twice during that season.  He returned for his sophomore year averaging 27.5 points per game, by this time Fly had worn out his welcome with the coaching staff with his inability to run the plays and his flamboyant style.  He wanted the NBA but a glitch in his paperwork left the ABA as his only choice.  

Fly would play for the Spirits of St. Louis, but his numbers were microscopic compared to his college game.  After 1975 his life was in turmoil, he served time in prison in addition he was shot by a police officer and the healing left his basketball career a thing of the past.  In May 2017 Fly was arrested accused of being the kingpin of a drug ring.  James “Fly” Williams a basketball talent that could have succeeded if only the lure of street had not become the greater appeal. 

“Whistling past the graveyard” 

As kids (and maybe adults) the prospect of being in a cemetery especially at night is a dreadful thing to most.  The title of this account reflects that view, it has a simple definition, it states one ignores peril or danger pretending it is not there or will not occur.  The Kansas City Star recently published a critique of Kansas basketball for the 2020-21 season. 

A quick read of the article I might have missed a portion of the story, of course the reference is the forthcoming penalty to be leveled on Jayhawk basketball by the NCAA.  There is I no plan to be a harbinger of bad news, but I wonder why this was not mentioned. The future of Jayhawk basketball cannot be fully detailed without knowing the outcome of this penalty.  Perhaps a re-read of the story, I may have overlooked it.  You know the part that stated the NCAA is going to severely punish the program. 

Bits n Pieces 

In a move like Nike its being reported Under Armour will create a brand for their top athlete Steph Curry.  Curry shoes and apparel now appear on the Under Armour website, they would be spun off like Nike.  Years ago, Nike spun off the Jordan brand, if we check the Nike.com website under the “umbrella” is listed Jordan.com.  We believe a similar look will likely apply to Under Armour and their forthcoming Curry brand.    

There is a report the NBA is exploring family and “close friends” being allowed in the “Bubble”.  Exactly how this works and the definition of friends will be cleared up soon.  Speculation would be as with most, quarantined tested and tested prior to being allowed entry.  For us viewing the games on television not much different with artificial noise in our ears.  As for the players LeBron’s admitted he had to get use to no fans.  The preliminary report indicates a limit of four family/friends being able to attend games in Orlando.   

Basketball from a fan perspective

2012

In 2012 Damian Lillard earned THIRD TEAM All American honors at Weber State.  Rest assured those at Weber State had a hunch the 6-foot 2-inch point guard was good; they had no idea how good he would become.  As for most of us we had no idea who Damian Lillard was, Weber State plays in the Big Sky Conference which fails to receive its share of publicity.  NBA scouts must have appreciated what they witnessed; Dame was made the 6^th pick in the first round of the 2012 draft by the Blazers.  Dame has improved each succeeding season since his rookie year, not only can he score like mad (51 & 61 pts) being a point guard he can dish the ball with the best of them    

Dame is another one of those gritty athletes from Oakland playing his high school ball at St. Joseph Notre Dame in Alameda.  The talented surrounding Dame at Portland has not been at the same skill level as that which supports Steph Curry.  I am probably going to get roasted for this next statement however it is my belief Dame is on the same level as his counterpart.  The problem Dame has no championship rings to back this claim.  In closing we might check to determine those college players ahead of Dame forcing him to a third team All American listing.  As for my sampling of friends and associates none agree with me, all chose Steph Curry over Dame Lillard, and so it goes. 

How did they accomplish it?

I read an article recently, the writer posed the question “How did Auburn basketball bypass Mizzou?”  That is certainly a good question however blame can be laid at the foot of departed AD Mike Alden.  Without looking for the day and date consider this; Frank Haith had left Mizzou for Tulsa and Mizzou was searching for a replacement.  The name of Bruce Pearl and several others were floated about.  This Mizzou fan wanted Pearl but coming off NCAA probation from his time at Tennessee I believed Mizzou would not touch him. 

That is the sequence of events, again I am not sure without looking for the actual dates, Auburn hired Pearl and Mizzou hired former Tiger and Mizzou assistant Kim Anderson.  Anderson was coming off an NCAA D-II Championship at the University of Central Missouri, no need of rehashing the story completely.  Let us just state after two losing seasons that third year Auburn finished with a winning record.  Two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and the pandemic curtailed what would have been a third NCAA trip.  As you can see Auburn basketball has been on an upward trend since then, Cuonzo Martin is late to the party, he was not hired by Mizzou until 2017.  

2020 NBA Draft

Much has been written regarding the 2020 NBA Draft most of it incorrect, that includes anything yours truly wrote or stated.  Why report earlier articles incorrect, what is the deal you might question; it is simple the order of the draft has yet to be decided?  We really have no idea of the order until the draft lottery.  August 25 will partially resolve a direction, that is the evening the NBA Draft Lottery will be held. 

The draft order for 14 teams will be governed by ping pong balls placed in a hopper.  Friday evening October 16 the NBA Draft will be held, and an actual determination will be made of who goes where.  Depending on which mock site you check we see Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, LeMelo Ball, Obi Topping, Killian Hayes, and Deni Avdija most often.  There certainly could be a surprise however one of the names above is likely to be chosen with the first pick.   

Everyone at maximum capability

We just read Thunder guard Russell Westbrook suffered a quad injury.  The report indicated Westbrook would be reevaluated prior to the playoffs.  That is not good news for the Thunder and their potential opposition, injuries impacting the playoffs always are a concern.  We could make a similar statement regarding the Sixers Ben Simmons who is injured and will miss the playoffs.  This is a sample conversation you might hear. 

John:  My _____ beat the crap outta your team!

James:  Well if _____ had not gotten injured it would have been a different series.

John:  You cannot say that.

James: Yes, I can

The argument (discussion) goes on and on with neither side budging are giving an inch.  This imaginary scenario might play throughout the NBA.   

News you might not know

The Blazers C.J. McCollum played his college ball at Lehigh University.  The Pennsylvania school is known as a private research university and not for producing NBA talent.  Weber State University in Ogden Utah became a 4-year institution in 1964, prior to that the school was a junior college.  Weber State is where Damian Lillard honed his basketball skill allowing him to grow into an NBA talent.  Larry Legend after beginning at the University of Indiana would transfer to Indiana State in Terre Haute. 

Bird indicated (at that time) the student enrollment was much smaller, and he felt more comfortable there. As for others, Robert Parrish is a Celtic for life in several minds, his college Centenary in Louisiana.  We could make the same statement for Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman who attended Louisiana Tech and Southeastern Oklahoma State.  It has been mentioned on more than one occasion many of these schools moved up to Division I over the course of time.  That might be a key reason it might appear few talents now arrive in the NBA from these schools. 

Basketball from a fan perspective

He took the winning shot

With the Laker-Nugget game tied 121-121 who do you suppose takes the shot with the on the line, is it LeBron, Anthony Davis, or somebody else?  On Monday it would become forward Kyle Kuzma which was certainly surprising to most folks.  Not only did Kuzma sink the 3-point basket he took the shot over 7-foot 2-inch Bol Bol who was guarding him.  After three losses in a row Laker fans appreciated the 124-121 win, but Jesus might not. 

Questioned after the game Kuz said, “I think Jesus could have been in front of me, and I probably still shoot.”  As for his shot total Kuzma managed to fill it up, a blazing 68% shooting from the floor 6 assists, 3 blocked shots for a grand total of 25 points.  Kuzma was not the leading scorer for the Lakers that honor belonged to LeBron James with 29 points, Anthony Davis would score 27.  Dion Waiters led the bench mob scoring 12 points. 

Their families love them….

There are members of the media I enjoy reading and discussing their explanations of issues.  Unfortunately, the numbers are small because a significant number are more concerned about being part of the story instead of the story itself.  You want names, how about Jay Bilas ESPN’s college basketball analyst.  Bilas is always informative and insightful without as I indicated becoming part of the story.  Another name to add is Adrian Wojnarowski who covers the NBA for ESPN, Woj was suspended recently but it had nothing to do with his reporting. 

Woj is always clear and insightful in his reporting.  I have been reading and listening to the Sporting News Mike DeCourcy for several years, his specialty is college basketball reporting. We could add the name of Brian Windhorst ESPN NBA columnist and analyst to our list.  Len Elmore and Donny Marshall Fox Sports cover NCAA basketball expertly, former Coach Steve Lavin of Fox Sports could be added also.  This certainly is not complete but just several in the media that I believe have credibility. 

 The Rooney Rule

If you follow the NFL, you are aware of The Rooney Rule.  Named after the late owner of the Pittsburg Steelers it simply states NFL teams must identify and include minority coaches to be interviewed anytime a head coaching position opens.  Recently the West Coast Conference implemented a similar rule, but it is broader than one enacted in the NFL.  The ruling is titled The Russell Rule after legendary University of San Francisco Boston Celtic Bill Russell. 

“The WCC on Monday (Aug 3) announced it will adopt a diversity hiring commitment that will require all member institutions to include a minority among the pool of final candidates for every athletic director, senior administrator, head coach and full-time assistant coach within the athletic department.”*  Member schools are Gonzaga, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Portland, Santa Clara, Pacific, St. Mary’s, San Diego, Brigham Young and the University of San Francisco. 

*cbssports.com/college-basketball

Salt Lake City

If we held a discussion on basketball bastions it is highly likely Salt Lake City would be omitted.  We just skip over the Utah city anytime we discuss basketball, despite our exclusion that should not be the case.  The history begins with the American Basketball Association, the franchise began in Anaheim (CA) in 1967 as the Amigos.  Later the team re-located to Los Angeles and were renamed the Los Angeles Stars.  The Stars failed to draw fans with the Lakers and UCLA basketball in the same city. 

In 1970 the team moved to Salt Lake City becoming the Utah Stars, the Stars were a competitive team but one again the team was hemorrhaging money.  In 1976 with the NBA-ABA merger only four ABA teams were added to the NBA, Utah was not one of them.  From that point until 1979 no professional basketball was played in the city.  The New Orleans Jazz were born as an expansion franchise in 1974, in 1979 the team would move to Utah becoming the Utah Jazz.  So, with that we have the brief history how Salt Lake City arrived in the NBA.   

Basketball from a fan perspective

1996

In the year above Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant arrived in the NBA; one became a star instantly (Iverson) however Kobe’s arrival took a bit longer.  Both are Hall of Fame athletes although we can state with conviction their approach to the game was quite different.  Larry Brown coached Iverson and his teams faced Kobe numerous times; Brown made an interesting quote.  The former coach said, “When Allen was coming back from the club at 6 a.m., Kobe was getting up and working out.” 

You might conclude Iverson did not care for the game but that was not the case.  Iverson was fearless, he would drive the lane no matter who stood in his path.  Numerous times he would be knocked on his butt however two things occurred.  Iverson would score the basket or be awarded foul shots, of course there were times he was defended at the rim.  In 2016 Iverson was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame, in 2020 the late Kobe Bryant will be given the same honor.  Two fighters who went about their craft in a different manner however their dedication might have been distinctly apart.   

Bits n Pieces

DeAndre Ayton is a name we often fail to mention when discussing the NBA’s future stars.  Ayton from the island nation of The Bahamas, Ayton took up the game as a youngster prior to enrolling at Arizona.  The 6-foot 11-inch 250-pound Big Man has some ol skool elements of the game.  Check him out, Ayton is a regular double-double talent and his game continues to evolve.    

Sometimes a phenom’s status precedes them, in an earlier period it was Kobe Bryant.  More recently it was LeBron James, we could make the same statement regarding Zion Williamson.  In the case of Zion, it is far too early to determine his future NBA status however it appears he might be the real deal.  Next up might be Emoni Bates from Ypsilanti Michigan, he is headed to Michigan State in 2022 but if he is as good as advertised, he will not be there awfully long. 

What are the qualifications for NBA Coach of the Year?  The top two of three candidates’ teams were expected to contend.  This is no knock at Mike Budenholzer with the Bucks or Nick Nurse Raptors coach.  Both teams were incredibly good last season and have continued play into the 2019-2020 season, give us a candidate whose team exceeded expectations.  That might be Nate McMillian Pacers coach. 

As this is written August 10 it would appear there will be no collegiate football season for 2020.  How this suspension of football impacts college basketball is yet to be determined.  We are talking November before play would officially begin so COVID-19 could affect the 2020-21 college basketball season, stand by.   

Texas

Once upon a time there was a joke made about sports in Texas.  It was said, “There are two seasons, football and spring football.”  Those days are long gone in the state, do not get me wrong have you seen any of the high school football stadiums in Texas?  Many of these stadiums rival the facilities of several small colleges, Friday Night Lights is reality.  Football is still king but basketball especially in the urban areas has made gigantic inroads. 

Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and the San Antonio metros produce a large and increasing number of talented high school prospects every season.  That is not to say there is no basketball being played in many of the smaller cities and towns in Texas, talent exists there as well.  It is likely due to population the greatest amount of high school prospects attend California schools.  Who finishes second is open for debate, it could be the state of Florida, New York or maybe Texas? 

Trae Young

His profile indicates he is 6 foot 1 and 180 pounds, there are doubts if either measurement is close to accurate.  As for the weight question let us just say he is short of the published number by several pounds.  Young burst on the national scene thrilling large crowds of students at the University of Oklahoma.  The second half of the season he tired a bit and Big 12 teams’ mad adjustments guarding him.  We read a scout said, “They won’t be able to throw those junk defenses at him in the NBA.” 

Sure, enough that turned out to be the case, after the draft trade that sent him to the Hawks, he began play in the NBA rather slowly.  By the second half of the season many contended Young not Doncic should be named Rookie of the Year.  His sophomore year has witnessed his numbers improving across the board.  The Hawks are not particularly good, and the problem is despite his effort they are not much better.  Doncic and his Mavs receive more publicity because they are better, this is certainly no reflection on Young who is a budding star for the Hawks.