OFF THE BOARDS
By Jack Scheuer
December 13, 2o17 Edition
In preparing for the college draft, the NBA spends tons of money in trying to determine who the top picks should be. Sometimes there are hits, and other times misses, really big misses. In 2011 for instance, Kyrie Irving was the number one choice, no problem there, followed by Derrick Williams and Enes Kanter, who at least have had starting roles in the league. But there were some picks further down which probably caused some people to lose their jobs.
The popular Jimmer Fredette was picked # 10, just in front of Klay Thompson (oops); Kawhi Leonard went at #15; and the last pick in the first round, # 30, was current multi-zillionaire Jimmy Butler. Even lower, #38, was Chandler Parsons. Ironically, the last player chosen in the entire draft, (#60) was the biggest miss of them all. That would-be Isaiah Thomas who, at 5-9, was also the shortest player selected. Bottom line: It’s not an exact science.
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Whatever happened to Rutgers basketball? The Scarlet Knights have had 11 straight losing seasons, and have not made the NCAA’s since 1991. Highly-regarded coach Steve Pikiell, in his second season, is hoping to get turn things turned around. Rutgers went 3-15 in the Big 10 last season.
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Trivia Time: Who is the only NBA player ever to have 4 quadruple doubles? Answer at the end of the column.
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After Shizz Alston broke Temple’s consecutive free throw record, folks were asking who holds the Big 5 record/ Answer: During the 2001 season, Villanova’s Gary Buchanan hit 73 straight from the line. He finished the year making 97 of 103, or 94%. Not bad.
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This and That: All in the family: Gabe and Chris Arizin, grandsons of the great Hall of Famer, are playing at St. Joe’s Prep; Lynn Greer III is at Roman; Jameer Nelson, Jr. plays at Haverford School, and Marvin Harrison, who’s Dad played a little football, is on the hoops team at La Salle High. He also plays football…..The wonders of recruiting : Gonzaga, located in Spokane, has one player on the team from the state of Washington. However, there are two from France, one from Japan, and another from Denmark …. Don’t play Butler early in the tournament. Since 2001 the Bulldogs are 10-1 in first-round NCAA games….Some of those TV sports shows are really tough to watch, including Shannon and Skip. Shannon does have very good posture though….Upcoming: Number one-ranked Villanova is at Temple tonight, and on Saturday, Drexel visits Temple.
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Answer to Trivia Time: On March 3, 1990, Hakeem Olajuwon went 29-18-10 and 11 against Golden State, then later that month posted 18-16-10 and 11 versus Milwaukee.
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