The Logue Down: Golden State Warriors keeping close eye on RJ Hampton
He may have just turned 35 but Andrew Bogut’s time in the NBA may not be over. At the other end of the age spectrum, scouts are taking a good look at RJ Hampton and LaMelo Ball. It’s all in The Logue Down.
Catch up with all the hottest basketball news in the latest edition of The Logue Down:
BOGUT BACK IN THE NBA?
Warriors GM Bob Myers will also keep a close eye on Sydney Kings star Andrew Bogut when he travels Down Under in the coming weeks.
Bogut has indicated he is open to another NBA stint following his 19-game tenure at the back end of the 2019-2020 season.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told The Daily Telegraph that he’d “absolutely” welcome Bogut back following the NBL season, labelling him one of the best passing big men ever.
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It will be interesting to see if Bogut links with the Warriors given their lowly position on the table.
He will also weigh up whether or not his body wants rest leading into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Either way, don’t be surprised if another NBA contender also expresses interest in the Boomers’ big man.
WARRIORS RATE HAMPTON
The Golden State Warriors are keeping a close eye on New Zealand Breakers guard RJ Hampton after mock drafts linked him to the Bay Arena.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz named Hampton as the No.5 overall in their recent mock 2020 NBA draft.
Illawarra Hawks star LaMelo Ball is ranked at No.1 in a huge testament to the NBL’s Next Stars program.
Hampton potentially linking with the Warriors hasn’t gone unnoticed by the franchise’s GM Bob Myers, who is planning a trip to Australia to watch the gifted guard play.
Golden State beat writers are also pumped about the prospect of picking up a top-five draft pick.
The once dominant Warriors possess the NBA’s worst record this season largely following key injuries to stars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
The year’s Golden State squad seems destined for a high draft pick for the first time since selecting Harrison Barnes at No. 7 overall in 2012.
Warriors NBC Sports reporter Dalton Johnson declared Hampton a perfect fit for the rebuilding franchise.
“LaMelo Ball gets more attention and puts up bigger numbers, but Hampton has less margin for error and might be a highly underrated prospect,” Johnston wrote.
“After a season full of lessons and losses, the Warriors will want a prospect who they can trust right away. Hampton already is playing professionally against grown men, and is showing his desire to play defence and do the little things to win games.
“His jump shot will need to continue to improve, though that shouldn't be a huge concern for teams in the draft. Hampton already has shown he has a feel for the game and a willingness to win, which should go a long way.”
RETURN OF TASSIE
The NBL’s plans to bring back a Tasmanian side for the 2021-22 season are on track but they desperately require state and federal funding to secure the bid.
League owner Larry Kestelman and Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger are committed to Tasmania becoming the league’s 10th team.
Kestelman has strongly supported the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart as the new team’s home base. He is also keen for the area surrounding the stadium to become an entertainment hub with pubs and restaurants.
Only problem, the NBL requires more state and federal funding to secure a Hobart-based side that will also play in areas like Launceston.
Thankfully the league has a passionate advocate in Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, who is pushing for the appropriate funding.
If all goes to plan, a Hobart side will be competing in the NBL for the first time since 1996.
HAWKS’ BALL NBA VISION
Illawarra Hawks officials are working behind the scenes to lockdown a pre-season NBA game against LaMelo Ball’s first franchise.
Ball is currently the No.1 pick based on ESPN’s mock draft, which would see him potentially link with the New York Knicks.
The Hawks have asked to participate in the NBL versus NBA series for the past three seasons and missed out.
But on the back of Ball’s success, Illawarra are looking to organise a pre-season game against the star guard’s maiden NBA franchise.
Hawks owner Simon Stratford confirmed the club’s plans to take on LaMelo in a historic clash.
“How good would it be for Ball’s first NBA game to be against Illawarra?,” Stratford said.
“That would be very cool and it is something we are working on. There is nothing official because we don’t know where he is going.
“But Ball’s minder Jermaine Jackson has a connection with the Knicks and we’ve got a tie with Orlando through one of our former physios.
“Hopefully it happens.”
BETTING PROBLEMS
My colleague south of the border, Gilbert Gardiner, raised a few eyebrows on Thursday when he dropped a story revealing “data scouts”, deployed by illegal offshore betting bookmakers, are targeting NBL and WNBL games across the country.
I’m told two NBL games in Melbourne involving the South East Melbourne Phoenix have been implicated.
But the WNBL is largely being impacted by data scouts due to the smaller crowds and decreased security.
The WNBL and the NBL are both monitoring the concerning situation.
KING FINE
The Sydney Kings could cop a fine for turning up late to the pre-game anthem during their round eight win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The Kings were still in the locker room while Phoenix players waited patiently to sing the national anthem.
South East Melbourne officials weren’t impressed at the time and the NBL is currently weighing up punishing the league-leaders.
REF REALITY
The NBL’s desperate need for more full-time referees doesn’t appear to be on the radar in the foreseeable future due to budgeting reasons.
There are currently only two full-time referees, and while the NBL would love to secure more whistleblowers, money is holding them back.
League officials are hopeful this predicament will change, so they can produce a more consistent and professional product.
KINGS VS UNITED TENSION
Forget the Andrew Bogut and Corey Homicide Williams twitter battle – Kings owner Paul Smith versus anyone from Melbourne is the real feud.
Smith has been back and forth with United fans on twitter for days about Sydney’s thoughts on their southern arch rivals.
The banter reached boiling on Monday when Smith fired back at a prominent Melbourne supporter before swiftly deleting his tweet.
“We have long memories,” Smith said.
“We will always remember the sign – Go hard or go to Sydney.
“We will never forget the 12 straight wins put on us, we will never forget the humiliation United poured on the Sydney Kings.
“Note I didn’t gloat on Sunday . . . we are just getting started on you guys.
“It is personal.”
Don’t expect the banter between Smith and United to end anytime soon with Melbourne officials planning to bring back the ‘Go hard or go to Sydney’ sign for their home clash against the Kings next Saturday, December 14.
COACH KILLER
Which high-profile player is causing his coach all sorts of headaches with his temper and lack of application at training?
If the player in question continues down this path, he could cost his team a shot at the championship.
BEVO GIVING BACK
Championship-winning NBL coach Rob Beveridge is heading west to Dubbo next weekend to conduct junior coaching clinics and give back to the local farmers impacted by the drought.
Beveridge has contacted the NBL and Basketball Australia, who have happily passed on equipment and player jerseys for the kids.
Rob is also a scout for the Washington Wizards in the NBA, so he could also find Australia’s Next Big Thing In regional NSW.
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