Londoner 'Pops' Off In Dallas

Before this years 2006 NBA Draft, I wrote about Nick George (VCU), Richard Midgley (CAL) and Pops Mensah-Bonsu (GW). Of the latter I said “…Pops is looking to break into the 1st or 2nd round of the draft. He played well for his GW Colonials this year - they finished the regular season ranked in the top 10 which should see his stock rise a lot from this time last year”.

At the conclusion of July’s draft a British player did get chosen, but none of the aforementioned. It was the unlikely name of Joel Freeland who was taken by Portland with their 30th pick in the 1st round. Freeland has since been shipped back to his Spanish team, Gran Canaria Fadesa to work on his skills. His rights still belong to the Trailblazers and should he live up to his potential, Portland would exercise that right and make him a permanent fixture in the league.

After the draft I also spoke of one last opportunity for the above mentioned to impress in Summer Leagues and free agency market. Midgley’s tendonitis in his knees proved too much for him to accept any invitations to play or tryout. Pops was invited to play on the Dallas Mavericks Summer League team - he impressed the Mavs, more importantly he caught the eye of their animated head coach Avery Johnson. Johnson likes Pops’ work ethic, his hustle, and feels that the forward from Tottenham, London, will be a valuable member of his team. The Londoner has since signed a 2-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks for an undisclosed amount.

On a quick visit to London last week, I met up with Pops for an interview which will be aired on Channel Five in November. His London trip was a quick turnaround, so I interrupted his shopping venture to kick it with him for an hour. We both tried to remember the last time we hooked up and came to the conclusion it was somewhere in between his high school days and when he was a freshman at George Washington University.

Pops explained that he really wants to help Dallas in anyway he can and was looking forward to the opportunity to play against the NBA’s elite. Most of all he anticipates the moment his team plays against the Bulls and Luol Deng, his friend from their junior days in the UK. The on court meetings between the Mavs and Bulls are scheduled for the 14th November in Dallas and 25th January in Chicago.

If Pops is given a roll on Dallas’ rotation I’m sure he will make an immediate impact. I have always said, you can’t teach an athlete to play his heart out; he just wants to perform that way. Pops wants to play that way every time he steps on the court, that’s why I’m sure he will have a permanent place in the NBA.

What Next For Team GB?

Now that the WCOB are over, Team USA fell way short of their goal; getting served by a Greek ‘Baby Shaq’ called Sofoklis Schortsanitis. What next for the once World Champions? My main concern should really be why can’t Chris Finch get anybody to play for the GB national team? Truth is - no progress has been made to really sort out the GB problem. Too many times we are begging veterans to come out of retirement and help the cause. What’s the point? These guys are nearly (or over!) 40.

We have a gang of talent in the UK, but none of them want to go that extra yard for Queen and country. They seem to have a belief that growing up they got zero help from their federation. Now they are in a position with considerable leverage, they decline any invitations to slide into a tight GB uniform.

I would love to see Pops, Midgley, Eric, Luol (passport pending), Rasheed, Nick and the rest of the UK talent come together and go to work on the hardwood. But until the cats in Sheffield sort out the list of problems in order to get that cheddar from the government, then we’ll have to wait another decade for our potential to be witnessed on the world’s stage.

I ain’t hatin, but the best move Finch made was to bring in Tony Garbs as his assistant. Tony has an affiliation with most of the above mentioned players; he may have some sentimental persuasion powers in getting these guys to buy into a very poorly run system! This way they can tell the likes of Roger Huggins and Co. “enjoy your retirement and QT on the golf course”. Only time will tell if this will ever happen!