"Where Are They Now"

 

By: Derrick "The Preacher" Gordon

 

    This article was requested by my esteemed editor & chief Jordan. So I have decided to talk about something that really kind of struck a nerve with me about a year ago.

    I am a hoops fanatic, my wife and family members even say I am a black Dick Vitale, because I am so animated about young talent and the game of basketball, period. I am an awe at the talent that I have seen first hand and then crushed at the same time when I still see them here in Chicago, and not on television playing in the NBA.

 

    I was at the Chicago Pro-Am at IIT campus on 31st and State Street when I used to be an assistant coach. Well, the tournament annually has been dominated by 3 teams. Tim Hardaway has a team {champs 2 times}, Michael Finley has a team {champs 2 times}, and the 3 peat champions, Antoine Walker's Team.

 

    Yet the last 3 years have been dominated by one man, ENTER RASHAAD GRIFFITH !! At 18 years old he was 7'0 250 ponds, today he is 7'3 330 pounds, and a "Beast" on the basketball court.

    Remember him, McDonalds All American, Big Ten Rookie Of The Year, All Big Ten at Wisconsin with Michael Finley. He entered the draft and never hooked on with a team.

    Well he plays overseas now, but every summer he is home scoring at will on Antoine Walker, Naza Muhammad, Michael Finley, Ron Artest, and even Vince Carter got a taste one game he flew in to town play. Why ? Why haven't the Bulls picked him up..? By the way, the game he played against them, he scored 49 points, 22 rebounds, and had 8 blocks. I know it is a "Pro - Am" but my goodness. People have said if he came to the NBA, Shaq would be then challegened.

    Here are a few more guys I have seen just miss a great chance, and they still have better game than 40% of the NBA players today.

 

    Michael Herman - Indiana University.... He was another player that just didn't fit in the system of Bob Knight. I just saw him play last summer in the Pro-Am and a couple street tournaments...he has serious game, but is a tweener. He crossed over Joe Daugherty {former all state guard in Chicago}, and made his gym shoe come off !!! Today he is a Chicago Playground Legend !!!

 

    Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner - USC University.... The next Michael Jordan.... He won the dunk contest... He looked like Mike a little bit... Never could make the transition. Last I heard he was hiding and has not been seen, on even a playground court, in the last 2 years.

 

    Miles Simon - Arizona University.....Mr. Clutch. He could shoot the lights out. It was his team until Mr. Bibby came along. How can you be the star for 3 years and then have this young upstart come and take over the team and your draft position in one year? I got a cousin up in the NBA developmental League, and he said Simon won the MVP up there in the tournament. He says his jump shot is like money, even from like 32 feet out!! Does any team need a hired gun...?

 

    Last but not least my friend.... Ronnie Fields.... Best Prep star until Lebron came along.. Destined for the NBA and championships... Mr. All- American... Even got Kevin Garnett to move up to Chicago and form the baddest duo since Sonny and Cherr, Hall & Oates, RUN-DMC !!!  He is bouncing from team to team, league to league, with his 46 inch vertical !!

I know Kevin can at least get him a try-out....?

 

    Well I always said if I was 4 inches taller, I would be in the league too... But I just don't get it, I was in college with Al Ford. He was in the top 3 in scoring all four years... Dickey V said he was a tweener...He got cut from the Goodwill games team... He went in the first round to Philly our senior year....Another alumni...Marcus Mann... Top 3 in scoring, rebounding, and FG%.... First round to Golden State... He refused to go, he was his mother's only child.....They both are back in the state of Mississippi now... Al Ford is coaching, Marcus is a preacher like me....But only if one of these other guys had that chance...Maybe the league was just not ready for them... Instead we said they were not ready for the league.. Now we are drafting 18 year old kids, from the USA and from overseas... I invite you to come to the Chicago Pro-Am this summer, and witness first hand how I can make a serious NBA team to contend for the title with these guys the league never let in....

 

 

 

Derrick Gordon covers the Chicago Bulls for NBADRAFTLOTTERY.COM.