July 26, 2005 ...The Toronto Star newspaper says the Raptors may sign Travis Best. I say—why? Here is a short list of younger PG’s I like better than Best: ...Maurice Carter, Tim Pickett, John Lucas, Chris Thomas, Gerald Fitch, Blake Stepp, Andre Barrett, David Logan, and Anthony Roberson. Logan reminds me a lot of former NBA point guard Michael Williams. ...A web report I read says the Kings have talked with the agent for Juan Dixon. I would endorse that one for sure. ...The Jazz have invited Ricky Minard to their fall training camp (Salt Lake Tribune).

 

July 25, 2005 ...Auto racing business took me to Salt Lake City this past Friday. I had just enough time to sneak in the last game of the Rocky Mountain Revue at the Salt Lake City Community College.  I caught the Summer Jazz hosting the Summer Spurs. I will say even more strongly now that Spencer Nelson should have been drafted. He is a complete player from Utah State. The game? The Spurs self destructed when Andre Barrett came off the floor allowing a huge Utah comeback. Mike Wilkinson stuck the game winning jumper for the Jazz. Melvin Sanders proved to me that he can score with ease. ...Sean May was named MVP of the Revue.

 

July 21, 2005 - The NBA D League will have a draft. Honestly—I’m not sure how it works—as far as who is eligible. I believe a player has to sign a contract with the NBADL to be draft eligible. I have prepared a list of 60 players that went un-drafted in the NBA draft or have not agreed to terms as a free agent with NBA teams. See the 2005 NBADL Draft page here.

 

July 19, 2005 - I have been overdosing on Summer League on NBA-TV, and box scores on NBA.com. The 1 am to 3 am replay is especially pleasing. ...Thoughts? Lawrence Roberts has been especially pleasing for the Memphis Grizzlies in Summer Ball. ...I will repeat that I DO have an understanding of what summer league means as far as the NBA is concerned. It is in the neighborhood of SQUAT. Really. As previously stated, I’ve seen some less than stellar NBA players look great in Summer ball. That being said, I believe every time a player hits the court he is representing himself—and you can learn lots by simply watching. I have a much deeper understanding of the games of international players like Drago Pasalic (he’s good), and Marcin Gortat (good as well). My memory is refreshed to past college players and fringe guys from all over—like Ira Clark, or Anthony Lever. ...Playing well for the Lakers is Carlos Powell. Same for Von Wafer. ...David Lee continues his solid summer. The Knicks second round pick impresses with his energy and versatility. Brent Wright certainly deserves a training camp look from someone. ...Maurice Carter is getting it done right for Indiana’s entry in the Minnesota Summer League. ...Tim Pickett has been outstanding for the Raptors. ...Joel Meyers and Michael Smith do a great job together as an announcing duo. Meyers really knows basketball. He is one of the few lead announcers that has a base of hoops knowledge that I respect.  I am a fan of Spero Dedes but I would like to see more energy and better preparation from him.

 

July 13, 2005 ...Houston Rockets. The Rockets really need upgrades at the TWO, and FOUR. They added Luther Head in the draft. Their combo guard line with Bob Sura, David Wesley, and Mike James would be better with lots more of James and less of Wesley. ...I’ve never been much of a Juwan Howard fan. The Rockets strength lies at Center and Small Forward with Yao Ming, and Tracy McGrady.  Their bench is old and not very talented or athletic. How about some Olumide Oyedeji? That would add power forward depth and athleticism.  ...A basketball memory. I remember going to Sac State games with the family as a kid. The first coach I remember was Jack Heron? I think that was his name. The Hornets were D-II in the Far Western Conference. I loved to go to basketball games! We would often stay late after the games while Dad talked to players and coaches—I would run wild on the basketball court. A real sense of rivalry was my first UC Davis vs. Sac State games. At the time, I believe UCD was in the Far Western Conference as well. The Davis band always made the Sac St. games fun with their offbeat routines, and chants. I remember Elmo Slyder as the next Sac State coach. His son, Dennis and I became buddies as ball boys, playing hoops after the home games. Fred Lewis was a great basketball teacher that I learned from when he coached the Hornets for a year. Some of the player names I remember are Rovan Turner. He could sky. Nate Robinson. Byron Williams was their point guard—and a very early hero of mine. I was about eight years old at the time. After the players graduated—we would catch them during March of Dimes tournaments. ...I later attended Sac State, and was a student of coach Joey Anders. Joey had the best year of any Sac State coach I know of when he won 22 games in 1987-88. He taught what Bill Brown had in place—which was derived from the teachings of Eddie Sutton. I did stats for Anders while at Sac State. He always listened to my input. I really felt like part of the team. I would just show up on game days. Anders even had a Sac State Basketball jacket made for me. ...You didn’t ask but you know how I do it. A list! My 12 favorite Hornets.  Chris Farr - A point guard with great vision and speed. Tony Vaughn - Another guard that could score and had quick hands. He also made some spectacular passes. Byron Williams - A steady, sturdy point guard. Gus Armstead - A friend of mine with a great passion for basketball. Gus’ enthusiasm for hoops is contagious. Julius Bolds - Funny how you remember names. I only know he could score. Tim Little - Tim was quiet but he would bust your ass in  the post. He was probably the best player on the team I was closest to. He later played on a Sacramento Pro-AM Summer team I “coached”. Pat Wallace - I like to think I had quite a bit to do with Pat playing at Sac State. I was in Anders’ ear constantly about Wallace after watching him lead McClatchy past good teams in  big high school games. Wallace went on to be the leader in games played, steals, and assists over a career at Sac State. Rovan Turner—I saw him first at Grant High School. He was amazing then—and he was a shot in the arm for the Hornets later. He was a guard that would dunk with the best. Headley Chambers  - A great all around team player that worked hard on defense. Tony Massop - He blocked shots and scored in the post. Sean Smartt - Sean could jump through the roof. He was also a really cool cat. Robert Martin - “Money” had a great three point stroke. He could score with anyone.