How to address prep-to-pros problem
James Wiseman won’t be straw, but he should be.
Not being critical of him. The system is messed up.
Having kids who are NBA-ready go to college for basically a semester knowing they’re leaving for the league after one year has been and will continue to be a bad look.
Not mad Wiseman decided to declare for the draft while suspended 12 games by the NCAA for taking $11,500 from Memphis coach Penny Hardaway. Those funds helped Wiseman’s family move from Nashville to Memphis while he was in high school.
Hardaway was coaching at East High where Wiseman transferred. Since he graduated from Memphis, the NCAA deemed Hardaway a booster who gave an improper benefit.
Had the highly touted big man and potential top pick in 2020 been able to go from high school to the league, this could’ve all been avoided. The NBA is working toward lowering its age limit to 18, but here’s a suggestion on how to address this matter.
Let’s call it the NBA Preparatory 10 – or NBAP10.
You can also call it a bit crazy, too, but hear it out.
The NBA could have scouts not affiliated with teams go out and watch the top 10 high school prospects going into their senior year and have them report to the league that they’re either good enough to play in the league or need at least a year in school.
Then have the players compete in open gyms for two weeks in the summer and see how they fare against NBA players from the elite to the last man on the bench.
General managers watch the games.
Then take a simple poll of the NBA players and GMs there.
These guys are superior on the high school level and will likely dominate on the college level. So, they should at least hold their own against NBA players, right?
Take that poll and have the players work out for 10 NBA GMs with coaches and players on site. Put them through the same rigors they’d do for the draft. can the come final and
Then the NBA can make a final decision to determine if the player is ready.
Those who aren’t, start preparing for college or play in a pro league overseas.
Those who are, start training them for the league in their senior year of high school.
Put them on a training program. Provide an NBA mentor to share knowledge on what it takes to be a pro and how to conduct themselves on and off the court.
Let them attend one NBA game a month and go behind the scenes.
They also can’t pick an agent or sign a shoe deal until after graduating from high school, but the high school players and their families can do their research on both.
The draft is in late June. They’d have time to make a decision that should be easy after months of research.
Plus, they can get a monthly stipend and have all their trips to games paid for by the NBA. That takes out the element of accepting funds from an agent or anyone else.
If they take money outside of that, they’re immediately removed from NBAP101 and must sit out a year in college if they chose to go.
Some prep-to-NBA guys weren’t ready for the NBA lifestyle. So, prepare these kids while in high school for what awaits them in the league.
And they’d have a choice to opt out of the program.
Just a thought.
Can Houston skyrocket to the Finals?
The Los Angeles Lakers are legit. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the NBA’s ultimate 1-2 punch.
The Los Angeles Clippers may be even more legit.
Kawhi Leonard is arguably the game’s best player right now and Paul George is the top two-way talent.
The Denver Nuggets have the most continuity and the Dallas Mavericks have a rising superstar in Luka Doncic paired with Kristaps Porzinģ i̧ s, who should be better in the second half of the season.
Then there’s the Houston Rockets. They have the game’s leading scorer, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook, who plays full tilt from tip to buzzer every night, and a bunch of role players with a coach who gives more leeway than anyone.
Mike D’Antoni may just have a team capable of beating the Lakers or Clippers in a seven-game series, but the Rockets could very well lose to, say, the Utah Jazz or Mavericks in the opening round.
Houston will finish between third and fifth in the West, but they’ll likely have to go through the Lakers and Clippers to reach the Finals.
So could they forge through the LA teams to the Finals?
Yes – and no.
Houston is 2-1 against the Clippers. Harden went for 47 points in November win and Westbrook dropped 40 in Thursday’s win in Los Angeles. Houston will play its first game against the Lakers next month.
The Rockets have the best chance of knocking off the Lakers or Clippers not only because of Harden or Westbrook, but because by then, the others should really know how to play with those two and D’Antoni should know what works best for the team.
However, what’s going to happen when the game is on the line? As great as Westbrook is, it will all fall on the shoulders of Harden and D’Antoni to make winning plays and calls.
Anthony missed life on the road
Saw
Carmelo
Anthony courtside when he went for 23, hit 4-of-6 shots and his swagger cut through the chorus of boos from Suns fans in Portland’s onepoint win last week.
“I miss these type of games,” Anthony said. “Yeah, I miss them. Just the atmosphere. On the road. Needing a stop or two. Needing a bucket or two. These are the games that I really was missing.”
Averaging 16 points and 6.2 rebounds in his 15 NBA games this season, Anthony injured his knee in Friday’s game against Orlando the Trail Blazers won.
Don’t know how long he’ll be out, but Anthony has shown in his comeback a renewed love for the game, but still has that star power to captivate the crowd.
The Blazers (14-16) have won four in a row. Still are a sub .500 team, but they can make a run to the playoffs when their entire roster is healthy.
Anthony doesn’t see this as a farewell tour – and it shouldn’t be.
He’s back and should stay for a while.
Upcoming games
Here are the must-see matchups this week.
Utah Jazz at Miami Heat. Two teams built on culture and style of play. Liking that potential Jimmy ButlerDonovan Mitchell clash.
No games scheduled.
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (ABC). Round 2.
San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks (TNT). Can the Mavericks keep winning without Luka Doncic? They’ve beaten Milwaukee and Philadelphia without the MVP candidate.
Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat. Pacers are in that fifth spot looking really good even without injured Victor Oladipo. Let’s see how they fare in their first game against Miami.
Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics. The Celtics won the first matchup Oct. 25. The Raptors have remained strong without Kawhi Leonard. Can Boston top them again?
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers. If Doncic isn’t back, this is another opportunity for Kristaps Porzin-̧ gi̧ s to lead the Mavs to another impressive win.