Basketball greats of the past would like a word.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama passes as Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis.
The National Basketball Association has not merely forgotten its past. It has lost it. Even worse, it obviously doesn’t care that it has. What happened then doesn’t matter now.
Its idols of long ago — and even not so long ago — either have their faces and exploits blurred, or are totally out of the photograph. The players are no longer even compared to the brilliant stars, who played the game in the proper fashion. It has created its own sport, certainly not basketball.
The NBA, once the greatest game of all, has become a bad casserole of traveling, carrying the ball over, indifferent officiating, tanking and players taking games off after jacking up hopeless 3s — and playing dodgeball defense. Let’s just bring up Spurs sophomore center Victor Wembanyama. He’s French. He’s at least 7-foot-5.
His wingspan is nearly 10 feet. He’s athletic. He can shoot it. He can pass.
He can block shots, as he should. He’s skinny. They say he weighs 235 pounds now, which is another lie. He’s had some nice playoff games, scoring over 30 points with 15 rebounds and five blocks.
One current NBA guru, who obviously hasn’t seen anyone who isn’t a 21st-century player, believes he has a chance to be the GOAT. You know, the greatest of all time.time, although I doubt it, even though he’s 22, and should get better. I don’t think, with his body, he can sustain greatness.
I can’t help but think that if Wemby had to go up against Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Nate Thurmond, Bill Walton, Bob Lanier, Wes Unseld, and Kareem , he’d get flattened like an old opera hat. He’d foul out before needing a towel.
I ran across Wilt’s line from a random game vs. the Lakers: 53 points, 32 rebounds, 14 assists, at least a dozen blocks, and no personal fouls. Wilt had 55 rebounds one night vs. the Celtics and Russell, inch-for-inch the greatest among all rebounders. I know the game has changed, and certainly not for the better, but, seriously, could Wemby come close to that if he went back in time?
My all-time NBA team would have Oscar Robertson and Jerry West at guards, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird at forwards, and Russell at center. Oscar was the greatest pure player in history, West the best clutch shooter, Jordan was Jordan, and Bird was magnificent. You could draft all the Wembys, LeBrons, Kobes, Shaqs, Greek Freaks, Embiids, Jokics you want. I would beat you, with three players who were at their peaks in the 1960s.
I would kick your skinny 7-foot-5 butt. The stupid NBA draft lottery has kept the hapless Wizards from getting the first pick for years. Now that they’ve finally won one, I can’t see a college player who’s going to keep them from getting another try. … LeBron says he doesn’t know what the future holds — does anybody?
— but he’s going to return to the Lakers. Where else can his son play? Daddy doesn’t want Bronny out of the house. … I’ve seen hundreds — hell, thousands — of Padres at-bats, but none more impressive than Nick Castellanos’ ninth-inning work last Sunday vs. the Cards.
It ranks near the top. Brilliant. … The NFL Team That Used To Be Here — you know, the Judases/L.A. Lodgers — have signed Browns tight end David Njoku.
He catches TDs. A good rumor becomes true. … The Judases’ tight end room has run out of chairs, but that’s how new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel wants it. SRO.
… “Rest advantage” is a new nerdy NFL term. The J’s got the worst of it, according to the schedule. What do I say? Talent overcomes rest.
… Jalen Hurts will have his seventh play-caller during his seven years in Philly. He makes $51 million a year, $179 mil-guaranteed. Spilled milk, and I’m not crying. … Once again, the Ravens are going to be overrated.
DraftKings has them as the favorites in the AFC. New coach. New system. Eight and nine last year.
Missed the playoffs. Why? …Speaking of follies. The 49ers will travel 38,105 miles, with two — two!
— international games. Traveling is hard — unless you’re Roger, on a private jet. …Of course, the Cowboys get the first Sunday night NFL game. This is a reward for all Dallas has won over the past 30 years.
… RIP, Ron Nay, former GM and scout for the NFL Team That Used To Be Here. We had many great conversations. He once told me: “Bo Jackson was the fastest man I ever put a watch on. ” … The World Cup will be played on real grass.
Chosen stadiums with the bad stuff are making changes. The NFL’s union wants the good stuff for its players. Northern California sinsemilla? … I love watching pharmaceutical TV commercials.
They’re important. I’m hardly in the pink, but now I know how many things are wrong with me that I had no idea were wrong with me. …Can you imagine trying to hit a baseball going 103 mph from around 55 feet away? It won’t be long before they move the Petco mound back to Hodad’s.
…Did you know? It costs between 5 and 15 cents to manufacture a roll of toilet paper. This destroys the “can’t spare a square” myth. …Florida prosecutors have been given access to Tiger Woods’ pharmaceutical records.
I don’t think they should be. They simply should order Woods not to drive. … Texas, the college football team, has a roster that costs $47.9 million. But we hear all that matters there is academics.
… San Diego State’s men’s basketball team has added yet another Italian player, Luca Vincini. All four of my grandparents were from Italy. I know Italian. The Aztecs will eat well and probably have someone capable of singing a great anthem.
… Their win-loss record? No telling, but SDSU will be carb-loaded, so it should be strong in the final minutes. … I find it OK for a bride to be late for her wedding. It is not OK for a golfer to be late to the first tee at the PGA Championship.
You’re there for, what, the camaraderie? …On Feb. 1, Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah, apparently was abducted. Her story, the biggest of the year, basically has gone away. Nothing? …
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