My observations of another week of retirement and another week of basketball…
Media Center- The Indiana Fever in their new practice facility will have a social media studio built in. It is designed to help the players grow their personal brands on social media with professional productions. It’s another world.
LeBron- It seems like people either love or hate him, but you have to be in awe of what he is doing at the age of 41. I realize he is not what he was even five years ago, but no one can look at him and think he should be retired.
Shaq’s Best All-Time Post- Last week after a San Antonio game announced that he feels that Victor Wembanyama is the all-time best post player. His logic is that already Wemby can do things that no other post player could ever do. He can shoot threes, prolific shot blocker, rebounder, can lead the break, post up and score, and shoot free throws.
I am a big Kareem, college-Bill Walton, Wilt, and Russell fans. It is early in Wemby’s career but I think he is worth watching. We may be watching history.
Speaking of Big Men- Is there a new trend in basketball happening right now? With the move toward 5 out offenses, logic seemed to point toward going away from the big man. Yet this past year, two of the best teams were Arizona and Michigan, who played multiple big men. Maybe I am not accurate, but it sure seems like in college portal that there are a lot of teams stockpiling big’s.
Next Man Up- I am not really a Minnesota Wolves fan but their performance in the series with Denver was very impressive. In sports we always talk about “next man up” mentality. The Illini went nuts- Ayo Dosunmu and Terrance Shannon went from limited or no role to become stars of the game.
Empty Driveways- Do any young players shoot in their driveways anymore? I do a lot of walking in different neighborhoods and today was the first time I saw anyone shooting hoops.
Caitlin Clark- Betting her driveway was not empty often when she was growing up. If Clark can do these things this year…
1- Stay healthy.
2- Shoot 40% from three.
3- Limit turnovers.
4- Show composure.
Indiana Fever- They are more than Caitlin Clark. I expect Boston, Mitchell, Cunningham, and Hull to take a jump with Clark in the lineup. With this core, they should have a good season, but to have a really great season, the key will be what they get out of the other “bigs” at 4 and back up 5’s. And I think Raven Johnson may fill the bill of being a key defender.
Youth Growing Up- Will Washington and Seattle’s youth movements be able to make the playoffs this year?
Predictions- I am horrible at making predictions but…
Top Tier Teams- Indiana, New York, Las Vegas, Atlanta
Playoff Tier- Minnesota, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Golden State, Washington, Dallas
Tanking or Growing- Connecticut, Seattle, Phoenix, Portland
Jay Hatch- I saw a post that Coach Hatch was at the Nashville clinic. Not many coaches are willing to make the commitment to learn and grow that Jay makes year after year!
$5.19- I went to Peoria this weekend. Gas prices there ranged between $5.09 and $5.19. My question- What will come first? Gas over $6 per gallon or under $4 per gallon?
Sean Hanlon’s Travels- Sean is in California with his daughter who is playing in a tourney in California this weekend. He ran into Corey Maguette, who was there to watch his own daughter play. Sean talked to him and he reports that Corey still remembers Galesburg and Joey Range. We still remember Corey’s turnaround 25 footer at the buzzer to beat Galesburg at DePaul.
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