Cub scouts the daily hoops scene.
by Cub Buenning
–Despite several breaking news stories from the ESPN’s reporters’ “sources,” there was no action in the Carmelo Anthony trade front. Like I mentioned yesterday, this trade might not happen anytime soon. Over a month still separates today from the trade deadline (February 24), so waiting a bit longer might be good for both teams and the prized forward involved. The New Jersey Nets can take the extra days to attempt to woo Melo (with Russian jet-ski vacations, trips to the future Brooklyn home of the team, etc.). On the other hand, the Nuggets will ultimately be granted a couple first round picks (NJ has some extras from past trades) and they surely want the Nets’ own pick, with them currently just two games out of the League’s cellar (a.k.a. the team with the most ping-pong balls in the Draft Lottery hopper).
Although this seems a bit out there, considering what is being discussed involved perhaps the largest player trade in league history, but keeping Melo in Denver might be good for the Nuggets as it might ensure a few more Jersey losses.
Stay with me here.
If Denver makes the trade now, it could lead to the Nets getting a few more wins (with more experienced talent on the roster) and take a few more of those balls away from the Nuggets. Is that crazy? In addition, I read a lot of ESPN.com yesterday and gave up about midday when I grew tired of the “sources,” many of whom don’t have a clue what is really happening in the teams’ front offices. Again, I know there is a lot of smoke with this story, but I won’t believe anything until the firemen are called in.
–A quiet night in college basketball, save for the one loud chorus resulting from the beat-down suffered by Cub Scouts’ “unofficial team,” the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Bradley Center in Milwaukee was the site, Marquette provided the shellac. The final difference was 22 points, but the game wasn’t even that close.
–Here’s a thought. Now with college football and Monday Night Football over for the rest of the winter, can we get our BIG MONDAY back on? I’m sick of these “quiet” nights. I also miss the old classic, “Midnight Snack in the WAC.”
–PLAYER ALERT has a certain Klay Thompson on its radar today. Washington State’s 6-6 junior guard has been “getting buckets” since he made the trip north to Pullman. Just halfway through his third college season, the son of former NBA center, Mychel Thompson, is closing in on 1,500 points all while pacing the Cougars to a 12-4 start, which included wins over Gonzaga, Baylor and Mississippi State. Thompson is a flat-out gunner with one of the nation’s quickest releases (not Ray Allen, yet) and his shooting efficiency has increased significantly over last year’s 20 ppg campaign. Now a leader of the team, Klay has upped his all-court game this year, as well, becoming more than just a one-trick pony who could knock down three-pointers. Unofficially, I would bet that he is one of only a handful of guys who are averaging 22 points/5 rebounds/4 assists every night out. Few players in the nation also have Klay’s on-court awareness or his hoops IQ. He always seems to be in the right places on defense and his ability to get open/spot up/knock down the shot is arguably the most advanced of any collegiate player. Stephen Curry comes to mind when pondering an NBA-equivalent, largely due to their similar frames and perimeter scoring prowess. Klay could have attempted to leap to the League last spring, but obviously made the right move returning.
This post was a segment of Cub’s blog at milehighsportsview.blogspot.com. The Mile High Five is a daily portion of his blog that covers several aspects in the world of Denver and national sports and pop culture.
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