GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - ZELMO BEATY

October 25th was the birthdate of Naismith Hall of Famer Zelmo Beaty (R.I.P). Zelmo, a 6'9" center, was respected for his physical play, toughness, and relentless effort. Beaty played in the NBA & ABA for the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Stars,  and St. Louis /Atlanta Hawks. 

Here are some of Zelmo Beaty's career accomplishments for those that do not know. Zelmo " Big Z" Beaty played eight seasons in the ABA, and four in the NBA. Beaty was an ABA champion, ABA playoff MVP, and a  3-time ABA All-star. He was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2016.

                             STAT LINE

Zelmo Beaty played 889 professional basketball games. He averaged 33.4 minutes, 17.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.5 assist, 0.7 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 2.3 turnovers each contest. Zelmo Beaty also shot 49.4% from the field, and 77.1% from the free throw line.

Player Valuation Numeric  = 29.8

               Player Valuation Numeric

In addition, Zelmo Beaty was a visionary labor activist as a player who had a clear understanding of the changing times in professional sports. Beaty fought for benefit implementations that today's players are currently receiving. 

Zelmo Beaty was respected by his teammates, and ALL of his competitors. Furthermore, Beaty maintained a great respect for those who came before him as well. In addition, he was both a respected husband for over 50 years, and his activism helped improve the game. Much respect for the memory and legacy of Zelmo Beaty!!!

* Zelmo Beaty was rightfully remembered and acknowledged within the pages of Basketball G.O.A.T. In this publication the Top 30 players of every position, as well as 15 honorable mention players (165 total), are reviewed in detail. Click the link below the picture for more information. 

                      Basketball G.O.A.T

THERE IS ALWAYS A PRICE TO PAY

The video showing Draymond Green sucker punching Jordan Poole leaked out recently, and it looked bad, really bad. Draymond came off like a bully, and nothing that Jordan Poole could have said to him justified his being attacked by a teammate - PERIOD. It was a grimey move on Greene's part and a preseason practice was no time to use it. 

Draymond Green's involvement in the scuffle is no surprise. On the other hand, who he attacked was as shocking as Will Smith smacking Chris Rock for busting on his wife. In both cases the video clearly damaged the assaulted person's brand. 

When Chris Rock got smacked at the Oscars the whole world had something to say the next day. What most people heard loud and clear was that Chris Rock has a strong legal position if he decides to sue Will Smith in civil court. Will Smith immediately did damage control, and then went on a n overseas sabbatical for several months.

Two days after sucker punching Jordan Poole, Draymond Green held a press conference apologizing for his actions. After handling questions he went on a leave of absense. Draymond Green was also a no-show at the team's preseason game. Jordan Poole showed up, led the team in scoring, and looked ready to tepeat as champions. Ironically, Chris Rock had several sold out shows, and a flood of new booking engagements after his Oscar incident. 

                        Intangible Traits

There are other similarities as well. Draymond Greene and Will Smith both made the same statements concerning their victim's parents witnessing their assault, as if scripted. Also, both have significantly higher net worths than the men they assaulted. Draymond Green is due $16.4M this season compared to $3.9M for Jordan Poole. Also, the difference in Will Smith's net worth ($350M) compared to Chris Rock's ($40M) is significant enough for both Poole and Rock may decide to demand reparations to e en the score.

Because of the damage to their brands, and the video coverage, an out of court settlement would be in the best interests of both Will Smith and Draymond Green. Jordan Poole and Chris Rock were both embarrassed, and hit in the face. Will Smith and Draymond Green dished it out, and now they both are going to take hits to their pockets. In retrospect, their blows were infantile in comparison to what they will surely receive.

* The Top 30 players of every position (150 total) have been accurately and objectively uncovered with the use of the Player Valuation Numeric. If you have ever wondered who the Basket ball G.O.A.T really is, or if the NBA got the Top 75 right, then click the link below.

                     Basketball G.O.A.T

Earvin "MAGIC" Johnson or Chris "CP3" Paul?

Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Chris "CP3" Paul are two of the most accomplished players of All-time and both have rightfully been selected to the NBA's Top 75 player list. In addition, both have been considered 'point gods', which is definitely high praise.

The question posed in this post is not who is better, or who is the greater winner because the answers will only be opinions and subjective. On the other hand, when comparing who was a better ball handler then much more objectivity can be used. Granted, one can say that CP3 easily has a better 'handle' than Magic, and be correct, but that cannot be proven. 

On the other hand, the number of turnovers per game each legend has committed can be easily computed. In addition, comparisons between assists and turnovers (assist/turnover ratio) can be calculated easily as well. It is easy to say that a player is a great ball handler if they can dazzle and distribute assists like these perennial All-stars. Alteenately, it would be foolish to say that one is the better ballhandler if they turn the ball over much more than the other. For example, no one considers Russell Westbrook an excellent ball handler because he is also a turnover machine. Enough said.

Therefore, a brief analysis of Magic's and CP3's key ball handling statistics should reveal who was the better ball handler of these two point gods.

MAGIC JOHNSON

Assists Per Game - 11.2

Turnovers Per Game - 3.9

Assist/Turnover Ratio - 2.87/1

CHRIS PAUL

Assists Per Game - 9.5

Turnovers Per Game - 2.4

Assist/Turnover Ratio - 3.95/1

                100 Mazes for Beginners

For the record, I did not know the correct answer to this post until I just did the math. I also did not know that there would be such a big difference. I knew that Magic Johnson was the All-time per game assist leader, but I did not know that he also averaged a horrendous 3.9 turnovers per game. Players that turn it over 4.0 or more times per game are like 'secret agents' for the other team. Magic had over 4.0 turnovers per game during five seperate seasons with a high of 4.6. 

In comparison, Chris Paul averages 2.4 turnovers per game, and he has never averaged over 3.0 turnovers per game in his career.. This is outstanding and players that commit under 2.0 turnovers per game are elite and rare. Paul's high assist total along with his low turnover rate, show that CP3 is a better ball handler than Magic Johnson. There are skills and attributes that Magic Johnson has over Chris Paul. Ball handling is just not one of them.

* In Basketball G.O.A.T the Top 30 players of every position (150 total) have been uncovered with the use of the Player Valuation Numeric. Each player was evaluated accurately and objectively and the NBA got their Top 75 WRONG!!! 

Granted all of their picks are in the book, and Top 30 at their positions. On the other hand, there were a few deserving players that were denied their due respect. For more information click the link below. 

                       Basketball G.O.A.T

WHO WAS MORE VALUABLE - LEONARD OR WIGGINS

The number in the picture are correct. Even though Andrew Wiggins has been in the league for less time, he has managed to score more total points than Kawhi Leonard. Initially this surprised me because both players have similar skill sets and athleticism. I then recalled that Kawhi Leonard has missed a significant number of games because of serious injuries, so the scoring totals make sense. 

During his career Kawhi Leonard has received more accollades, and he has won one more championship as a professional. On the other hand, Andrew Wiggins has been MORE DURABLE, and has played in more games. In addition, Kawahi Leonard was selected as a Top 75 player All-time, but both players have similar numbers. Ironically, a casual glance at them both does not show a clear advantage for either player.

KAWHI LEONARD: 576 games - 19.2 ppg - 6.4 rpg - 2.9 apg - 49.4 FG% - 38.4 3-point % - 1.6 spg - 0.8 bpg - 1.6 TOV

ANDREW WIGGINS: 598 games - 19.3 ppg - 4.4 rpg - 2.3 apg - 44.8 FG% - 35.0 3-point % - 1.0 spg - 0.7 bpg - 2.0 TOV

Therefore, in order to actually determine which player has shown the greater value the Player Valuation Numeric was utilized.  The Player Valuation Numeric (PVN) is "objective", it uses each player's own production, AND it takes into account superior accomplishments such as championships won. No player is given more "credit" than they actually deserve.

With that being said here are the results. Kawhi Leonard has a PVN score of 35.5 which is a solid score. Alternately, Andrew Wiggins has a 29.7 PVN score which is also solid. With redpect to the PVN scoresall difference of 1.5 points or more is a clear victory. Therefore Kawhi Leonard has been more valuable and the 5.0 point advantage took him into an elite category. Be advised, these scores are always subject to change depending on how they finizh their careers.

* Player value can now be calculate objectively and accurately. In fact, it is so easy to that even a 5th grader can do it. For more information click the link below.

                 Player Valuation Numeric