When it comes to making it in the pros, a lot of things have to break your way.
The right scout has to see you at the right time to put you on the right AAU team. The right school has to feature you in the right offensive and defensive system to develop.
Even when you have made it, the wrong break can end a career before it even starts. That is the break one bad trade, draft pick or anything can do.
For former Dr. Phillips High School basketball player Shane Larkin, he caught the right breaks. Playing at a power high school in Orlando with the name of his father — an All-Star shortstop — he got the attention he needed. He snuck under the radar in basketball to Miami where he starred and led the Hurricanes to one of their best seasons ever.
He became a Lottery pick and then the struggles began. They continued last year with the Knicks and Larkin seems very happy to be out of that bad situation, admitting Phil Jackson’s triangle offense was not really for him:
@adobk89 @MazzESPN couldn't grow in an offense I wasn't comfortable in. All good. No shade. Glad I'm across the river now. Wish them luck.
— Shane Larkin (@shanelarkin) July 27, 2015
Larkin appeared in 76 games for the hapless Knicks last year, averaging 6.2 points per game and 3.0 assists per game. They were dramatic improvement over his rookie season in Dallas where he simply did not play. Playing time helps and Larkin began to emerge some from his shell.
But it was obviously not enough. He is clearly saying he was not comfortable as he tried to find his place within the NBA. He is largely still looking for that place.
The Knicks opted not to pick up his third-year team option, a virtual rarity with Lottery picks, making him a free agent. He signed with the Nets in Brooklyn on a reported two-year, $3 million.
Larkin can score the ball and run a team. He is likely nothing more than a backup. The Nets should present a better opportunity where players like Jarrett Jack, another career backup, has thrived and earned a starting role.
His false start though has hurt him as he continues to make a push for a NBA career.
Shaq names his all-Magic team
Shaquille O’Neal was on Twitter last week and got into a fight with Scottie Pippen over whether the Lakers or Bulls all-time teams would win. Each took their own side.
The fight got nasty on the Web.
The Magic wanted nothing to be involved. Nor should they. That whole no titles thing has something to do with it.
But Shaq quietly posted his all-time Magic team on his Instagram:
Four of those names are pretty solid. Who can argue with the Big Four in Magic history — Shaquille O’Neal, Tracy McGrady, Anfernee Hardaway and Dwight Howard. His choice of Grant Hill caught most of us a little off guard.
Over at Orlando Magic Daily, I broke down the Hill choice and the problems with it:
When Hill was on the floor, he was still very very good. Magic fans will just always remember the times he was not on the floor and the waiting for him to get healthy constantly. He certainly hurt Tracy McGrady’s legacy in Orlando to some extent and cut that time short.
Other names like Nick Anderson and Hedo Turkoglu seemed to be a better fit.
It is a good discussion point though. That is all anything like that is. Interesting to see what O’Neal thinks about it.
UCF gets a vote
The Amway Coaches’ Poll was released Thursday and the poll was not kind to the two-time defending AAC champions. Or the AAC in general.
UCF received a lone vote in the poll, along with Cincinnati of the AAC. The Gators received just one more vote.
