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I still hate those C-USA teams in my conference. ESPECIALLY DePaul and USF
College Basketball "off-season" Thread (players leaving/coaching changes/recruiting)
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by wildkycat,
- Start date
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Originally Posted by Bigmike23
as in he was giving the team a speech?Originally Posted by Gameover2
Roy Williams visiting his recruits at the U-18 practice.
I have no idea bro. But I'm sure he was there to support the 3 future Tar Heels, and possibly get a fourth one locked.
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I heard Renardo Sidney has Texas A&M in his top 5. I know it's a *#*@%%# longshot, but I would seriously %$%! my pants if the Turd could get him toCollege Station.
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Ricardo Malta pretty much covered it all, but from what i hear there is no chance Stanley is back until second semester and the earliest, and dont worry AJwill be back and 100% just like B Rush
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that changes things to me....that frontcourt becomes a little less scary.
..USF I could do without...Depaul just needs a good head coach...they have tradition and can get talent...Knowshal and Tucker can do some things this year tho
..USF I could do without...Depaul just needs a good head coach...they have tradition and can get talent...Knowshal and Tucker can do some things this year tho
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Kemba will have full-time PG duties by conference play....
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Yeah, good point.
...Dante Taylor to Pitt.....Dixon is really getting some talent in there now
...Dante Taylor to Pitt.....Dixon is really getting some talent in there now
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Notre Dame to play @ UCLA this season
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I'm soooooo outta the loop but I'm pretty sure one thing that has remained constant... We have yet to land a quality big man and seem to be irrelevantto most of the top recruits. Am I Correct?
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We have yet to land a quality big man and seem to be irrelevant to most of the top recruits. Am I Correct?
I done gave up on the idea of Duke "coppin" abig man for this upcoming season. We got the Plumlee's for the season after but Im on that 2010 tip, hopin' we can land a 5 star big man by then.
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Oh Yea Cardo Next Season Is Already In The Books...::sighs::
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^ at least plumlee has been playin' his %*! off this summer and changing peoples opinions ...
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He sure has. Lance Thomas, Mike Thompson (what's good Chi-Mike!) and Eric Boateng were McD's All-Americans and Zoubek did work in the blue/white game freshman year. We see how they turned out. All that shhhh don't mean shhhh to me anymore unless it's a legit 6'10 athletic big man. No offense to my white brethren, but I need a thoroughbred mandingo (yes hetero) on the blocks.
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^ ehhh, that's between you and your program. lol.
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< Chubby put up 30+ at Kenner League Sunday..
People say Monroe just looks lazy.
Donte Greene, Arinze Onuaku have showed up...Roy played as well. Dyson should show up at some point
People say Monroe just looks lazy.
Donte Greene, Arinze Onuaku have showed up...Roy played as well. Dyson should show up at some point
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NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Monday's action at the Nike Peach Jam was the most intense day of play so far as teams were playing to stay alive.
STAR POWER
Jontel Evans scored two points in aterrific come from behind win against the Georgia Stars. And he was the best player on the floor for the most important eight minutes of the tournament for BooWilliams.
When the 5-foot-11 point guard from Hampton (Va.) Bethel came in off the bench, he sparked a major 26-4 run for Boo Williams and changed the entire flow of thegame. He defended nearly all five positions and single-handedly shut down the Stars on the defensive end of the floor.
Evans has carved out a niche for himself with the high-majors because of his defensive effort. In fact, he might be one of the few true elite high-majordefensive stoppers in the nation. He'll punch his ticket because of his ability to stop guys from scoring the basketball.
While Evans was making things happen on the defensive end of the floor, forward Marshawn Powell made things happen with his offense. The rough and toughforward scored 14 points in the victory.
Powell said he reneged on his early commitment to Arkansas because he "want(s) to go to Virginia." The Cavaliers haven't offered a scholarship,he says, but hopes the ACC school will in the near future. Powell said he is still very much considering Arkansas but wants to look at the home state school alittle closer first.
The Kammeon Holsey that dominated thestate of Georgia during the high school season and the one that helped his team win a state championship showed up in North Augusta.
After a quiet spring, the 6-foot-8 forward has been a man on a mission in July. Perhaps committing to Georgia Tech and putting the recruiting process behindhim helped clear his mind. Whatever the case, Holsey was outstanding at the Peach Jam and was one of the top five performers at the event. His body control,work in the post with both hands and attention on the glass was the best we've seen from him in a Georgia Stars jersey.
Holsey finished with 18 points in an ousting loss to Boo Williams. He has nothing to hang his head about. Holsey did everything he could have done at the PeachJam.
After starting slowly in the early pool games, John Wall finished a rather average (by his terms) Peach Jam. Thenation's top player scored 32 points and dished out nine assists in a "me against the world" type of effort against the Illinois Warriors.
It has been well-documented that there isn't a player in the country with Wall's speed and he knows how to use his legs as his offensive weapon. The6-foot-3 Raleigh, N.C. native gets to the lane better than anyone in the high school ranks.
The Illinois Warriors always have great success at the Peach Jam. This year's club was no surprise to see in the playoffs. They've been great all yearlong. Leading the charge once again was .J.Richardson, a 2009 Illinois commitment.
The four-star guard scored an efficient 19 points for the Warriors against the South Carolina Ravens. He's been the leader on a guard-heavy roster for theWarriors and he's been the best player on the team from game to game. He's going into his senior season on a high note.
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
You could argue that TaranBuie had the best day of work of any player participating in the Peach Jam on Monday. The class of 2010 put on an absolute show against the AlabamaChallenge.
Buie scored 25 points in the match-up and had a lot to do with the defensive effort from the City Rocks that held the Challenge to a dozen second half points.
Buie said his recruitment consists mostly of teams from the ACC, the Big East and Penn State, Florida, Texas and others. Buie said he's taking his timebefore making any sort of decisions about college.
Big man Tobias Harris enjoyed a strongweek in Augusta. The 6-foot-8 forward was one of best big men in the field at sealing off his defender. Harris, a class of 2010 prospect, understands hisstrength and how to use it. His efforts in the semi-finals proved to be the difference maker.
When it comes to scoring buckets, few do it better in the class of 2010 than Chicago point guard Anthony Johnson with the Illinois Warriors. He's a crafty with theball and goes full steam ahead at all times. A lot of Big Ten schools laid eyes on him over the weekend and made sure the four-star guard knew he was a majorpriority.
Boo Williams 16 and under power forward James McAdoo has a similar game to 2009 stud Derrick Favors. Both arelong, lanky and calming presences on the floor. Both can dominate the game on both ends of the floor. Both have incredible upsides. McAdoo has the tools to beconsidered one the elite level prospects in the 2011 class at this stage of the game. Of course, a lot of basketball will be played between now and whenhe's a senior, too.
For the first 16 minutes of play against the City Rocks, Alabama Challenge Ralston Turner was the best player on the floor. He scored as manypoints as there were minutes in the first half and had his team tied at the break. His pull-up jumper from deep was dialed in and his offensive touch was atit's best all week at the Peach Jam. Then came the second half. Turner was held scoreless and his team was blown out. Consistency is the missing link forthe talented 2010 guard at this stage of the game.
HI, MY NAME IS…
It seems like every time Boo Williams is in a big game, Ricardo Ratliffe brings his best basketball to the table. The 6-foot-8prep school bound forward scored 20 points in the quarterfinal playoff game against the Georgia Stars. Ratliffe doesn't do anything too fancy but his workinside the paint is efficient and important. The high-majors will sniff around with him and the mid-level programs would love to have him as a foundationplayer inside.
Okay, okay, Marcus Jordan is far from asleeper. Michael Jordan's kid is well known and he doesn't really need an introduction by any means. Regardless, Jordan was outstanding inside theRiverview Park facility. The Chicago native saved his best game for Monday morning against Team Jones, a team with his dad's logo all over their game.
All the younger Jordan did was score 30 points and missed a handful of shots in the process. The 6-foot-3 football player look alike could have very well madeenough noise to make a high-major or two think about offering him. His play was inspired.
Georgia Stars guard Adrian Coleman willprobably have a couple of new scholarship offers by the time he repacks his bags and heads down to Orlando for the AAU Super Showcase. The 6-foot-3 guard was ascoring machine for the Stars all week.
Boo Williams' 16 and under team is loaded with big men prospects. Because of that, it is sometimes easy to overlook a guy like Dimitri Batten. The charismatic 6-foot-3 guard loves to play fastand loves to play with fire. He's a slasher supreme that can get to the basket with speed and strength. High-majors are tracking him while the mid-levelpowers are hoping he stays under the radar some more.
Team STAT power forward Justin Jacksonwas a nice surprise. The 6-foot-7 forward was out-numbered inside the paint against the loaded and big Boo Williams 16 and under team but he tried as best ashe could to make his presence felt. His high-energy, good bounce and surprisingly good strength were enough to have coaches thumbing through their informationpackets to get a better idea on who the class of 2010 prospect is.
NOTES FROM THE NOTEPAD
| 
|
|
| |
| Jontel Evans changed the outcome of a game without scoring a point. |
Jontel Evans scored two points in aterrific come from behind win against the Georgia Stars. And he was the best player on the floor for the most important eight minutes of the tournament for BooWilliams.
When the 5-foot-11 point guard from Hampton (Va.) Bethel came in off the bench, he sparked a major 26-4 run for Boo Williams and changed the entire flow of thegame. He defended nearly all five positions and single-handedly shut down the Stars on the defensive end of the floor.
Evans has carved out a niche for himself with the high-majors because of his defensive effort. In fact, he might be one of the few true elite high-majordefensive stoppers in the nation. He'll punch his ticket because of his ability to stop guys from scoring the basketball.
While Evans was making things happen on the defensive end of the floor, forward Marshawn Powell made things happen with his offense. The rough and toughforward scored 14 points in the victory.
Powell said he reneged on his early commitment to Arkansas because he "want(s) to go to Virginia." The Cavaliers haven't offered a scholarship,he says, but hopes the ACC school will in the near future. Powell said he is still very much considering Arkansas but wants to look at the home state school alittle closer first.
The Kammeon Holsey that dominated thestate of Georgia during the high school season and the one that helped his team win a state championship showed up in North Augusta.
After a quiet spring, the 6-foot-8 forward has been a man on a mission in July. Perhaps committing to Georgia Tech and putting the recruiting process behindhim helped clear his mind. Whatever the case, Holsey was outstanding at the Peach Jam and was one of the top five performers at the event. His body control,work in the post with both hands and attention on the glass was the best we've seen from him in a Georgia Stars jersey.
Holsey finished with 18 points in an ousting loss to Boo Williams. He has nothing to hang his head about. Holsey did everything he could have done at the PeachJam.
After starting slowly in the early pool games, John Wall finished a rather average (by his terms) Peach Jam. Thenation's top player scored 32 points and dished out nine assists in a "me against the world" type of effort against the Illinois Warriors.
It has been well-documented that there isn't a player in the country with Wall's speed and he knows how to use his legs as his offensive weapon. The6-foot-3 Raleigh, N.C. native gets to the lane better than anyone in the high school ranks.
The Illinois Warriors always have great success at the Peach Jam. This year's club was no surprise to see in the playoffs. They've been great all yearlong. Leading the charge once again was .J.Richardson, a 2009 Illinois commitment.
The four-star guard scored an efficient 19 points for the Warriors against the South Carolina Ravens. He's been the leader on a guard-heavy roster for theWarriors and he's been the best player on the team from game to game. He's going into his senior season on a high note.
|
| 
|
|
| |
| Taran Buie was one of the top guards at the Peach Jam over the weekend. |
You could argue that TaranBuie had the best day of work of any player participating in the Peach Jam on Monday. The class of 2010 put on an absolute show against the AlabamaChallenge.
Buie scored 25 points in the match-up and had a lot to do with the defensive effort from the City Rocks that held the Challenge to a dozen second half points.
Buie said his recruitment consists mostly of teams from the ACC, the Big East and Penn State, Florida, Texas and others. Buie said he's taking his timebefore making any sort of decisions about college.
Big man Tobias Harris enjoyed a strongweek in Augusta. The 6-foot-8 forward was one of best big men in the field at sealing off his defender. Harris, a class of 2010 prospect, understands hisstrength and how to use it. His efforts in the semi-finals proved to be the difference maker.
When it comes to scoring buckets, few do it better in the class of 2010 than Chicago point guard Anthony Johnson with the Illinois Warriors. He's a crafty with theball and goes full steam ahead at all times. A lot of Big Ten schools laid eyes on him over the weekend and made sure the four-star guard knew he was a majorpriority.
Boo Williams 16 and under power forward James McAdoo has a similar game to 2009 stud Derrick Favors. Both arelong, lanky and calming presences on the floor. Both can dominate the game on both ends of the floor. Both have incredible upsides. McAdoo has the tools to beconsidered one the elite level prospects in the 2011 class at this stage of the game. Of course, a lot of basketball will be played between now and whenhe's a senior, too.
For the first 16 minutes of play against the City Rocks, Alabama Challenge Ralston Turner was the best player on the floor. He scored as manypoints as there were minutes in the first half and had his team tied at the break. His pull-up jumper from deep was dialed in and his offensive touch was atit's best all week at the Peach Jam. Then came the second half. Turner was held scoreless and his team was blown out. Consistency is the missing link forthe talented 2010 guard at this stage of the game.
HI, MY NAME IS…
It seems like every time Boo Williams is in a big game, Ricardo Ratliffe brings his best basketball to the table. The 6-foot-8prep school bound forward scored 20 points in the quarterfinal playoff game against the Georgia Stars. Ratliffe doesn't do anything too fancy but his workinside the paint is efficient and important. The high-majors will sniff around with him and the mid-level programs would love to have him as a foundationplayer inside.
Okay, okay, Marcus Jordan is far from asleeper. Michael Jordan's kid is well known and he doesn't really need an introduction by any means. Regardless, Jordan was outstanding inside theRiverview Park facility. The Chicago native saved his best game for Monday morning against Team Jones, a team with his dad's logo all over their game.
All the younger Jordan did was score 30 points and missed a handful of shots in the process. The 6-foot-3 football player look alike could have very well madeenough noise to make a high-major or two think about offering him. His play was inspired.
Georgia Stars guard Adrian Coleman willprobably have a couple of new scholarship offers by the time he repacks his bags and heads down to Orlando for the AAU Super Showcase. The 6-foot-3 guard was ascoring machine for the Stars all week.
Boo Williams' 16 and under team is loaded with big men prospects. Because of that, it is sometimes easy to overlook a guy like Dimitri Batten. The charismatic 6-foot-3 guard loves to play fastand loves to play with fire. He's a slasher supreme that can get to the basket with speed and strength. High-majors are tracking him while the mid-levelpowers are hoping he stays under the radar some more.
Team STAT power forward Justin Jacksonwas a nice surprise. The 6-foot-7 forward was out-numbered inside the paint against the loaded and big Boo Williams 16 and under team but he tried as best ashe could to make his presence felt. His high-energy, good bounce and surprisingly good strength were enough to have coaches thumbing through their informationpackets to get a better idea on who the class of 2010 prospect is.
NOTES FROM THE NOTEPAD
- Recent Florida commitment Austin Rivers struggled mightily against Boo Williams in the best 16 and under game of the tournament. The class of 2011 point guard didn't hit a field goal in the loss and finished with just three points. His father, Doc Rivers, was sitting courtside to see him in action for the first time in probably a long time.
- It is amazing to watch the South Carolina Ravens without Ryan Kelly. The 6-foot-9 five-star forward is in Argentina with Team USA. Without him, the Ravens (and particularly John Wall) play a more chaotic style of play. Kelly is a calming force for the team (and, again, mostly Wall). Kelly scored 12 points and grabbed a team high 10 rebounds in a win over Venezuela.
- Glen Rice, Jr. can flat-out pass the basketball. His hoops IQ is extremely high and it is easy to understand why so many high-major schools are trying to get in on the shooting guard with the Georgia Stars.
- While most of the attention went to Tommy Mason-Griffin for the Houston Hoops (and rightfully so), it was the play of future New Mexico point guard Jamaal Fenton that shined through. The little man from Houston knows how to play his position as well as score the basketball. The pipeline from Texas to New Mexico has been good for the Lobos.
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Partially torn ACL for Daye..
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Gonzaga forward Austin Daye didn't come out as well as he thought from a hard fall last week.
Daye went down in a tangle of bodies last Tuesday at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio. At first he was thought to have injured a tendon in thehamstring of his right leg.
Instead, the Spokesman-Review of Spokane reports that an MRI has shown the 6-foot-10 sophomore from Irvine, Calif., has a partially torn anterior cruciateligament in his knee.
Daye now expects to undergo surgery in three or four days.
Last year, in his freshman season, he averaged 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds.
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Gonzaga forward Austin Daye didn't come out as well as he thought from a hard fall last week.
Daye went down in a tangle of bodies last Tuesday at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio. At first he was thought to have injured a tendon in thehamstring of his right leg.
Instead, the Spokesman-Review of Spokane reports that an MRI has shown the 6-foot-10 sophomore from Irvine, Calif., has a partially torn anterior cruciateligament in his knee.
Daye now expects to undergo surgery in three or four days.
Last year, in his freshman season, he averaged 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds.
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The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e're gave,
Awaits alike th' inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
--Thomas Gray, "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard"
It seemed as if they came at will. Children of the concrete, not of the corn. By some strange force of nature that continued to birth point guards by thedecade. From every borough they sprung. From the womb straight to West Fourth or Dykman or 155th.
Or at the Soul in the Hole tournament.
Or in the Entertainer's Basketball Classic.
Every summer, there was another New York City point guard, better, more gifted than the one before. They built reps, built legacies, had false truisms aboutthings they did spread throughout the city, got nicknames from Duke Tango, had people as far as Cali shook, had afro'd shorties in Atlanta makin' hotsauce, had white prodigies in Oregon becoming professors. They provided shoe companies marketing campaigns that turned into TV shows and film docs. They wentfrom urban legends to urbane phenomenons. They became street ball royalty, college stars, NBA prospects. Then all of a sudden -- the New York City point guarddisappeared.
• On the map
• Rank the NYC point guards
Or died.
The blame? They put it on Bassy Telfair. But one kid can't kill an entire culture … can he?
With Chris Paul coming from Winston-Salem, N.C., Deron Williams from Dallas, Tony Parker imported from France, Derrick Rose from Chi, Brandon Jennings fromL.A., Jerryd Bayless from Arizona and Ty Lawson from Maryland, it seems like the day of the New York City "point god" is over. A position it seemswas created by those from New York is no longer the cornerstone of the city's relevance in the basketball workforce.
They even let an outsider from Pasadena, Calif. -- Larry "The Bone Collector" Williams, someone The New York Times in 2005 called "a New Yorkstreet star to end all New York street stars" -- come to Rucker Park year after year, break N.Y.'s finest down like syllables, then leave, vowing tonever come back, claiming no one in New York could stop him. Rod Strickland never would have let that happen.
Dave Saffran/WireImage.com
Sebastian Telfair was a star at Lincoln High School, but his NBA career hasn't panned out.
But apparently it has happened. Been happening for a while. And once Sebastian Telfair did not turn into the star many (including this writer) expected himto become, the Krylon was on the wall that the city's forever-long run as the producer of the greatest point guards on Earth had come to an unpredictablysad end.
But to know the New York point guard is to know that the NBA has not, does not and will not define him. To players like James "Speedy" Williams,Robert "Master Rob" Hokett, God Shammgod, Khalid Reeves, Kareem "BKS" Reid, Ed "Booger" Smith, Molloy "The Future"Nesmith, Mike "Smooth" Campbell, Omar Cook, Larry Ayuso, Shaheen Holloway or Ed Cota, it never was about just making the NBA. Because unlike anyother place on this planet, having a million people in New York know who you are and what you do is more rewarding than having a million people aroundthe country watch you on TNT or collecting a check with a million dollars on it.
What's the point in being Jamaal Tinsley, a quasi-respected mid-level starting point guard for the Pacers, but having no one north of 110th Street honoryou as dude in the summer, when you could be Kenny Satterfield or Andre Barrett, who dropped 68 and 66 points, respectively, in a Hoops in the Suntournament game in the Bronx two weeks ago, and get love so unconditional that people riding the 6 uptown with you start rating you as the basketballequivalent of Zeus?
That "love you for life" trade-off that most NYPGs have succumbed to over the past 10 years is possibly the reason the "foreigners" havebeen taking their spots in the NBA. To the point gods left in NYC -- Dwight Hardy, Jeremy Hazell, Kemba Walker -- the world can have that spot; they no longerwant it, no longer need it.
[+] Enlarge
Jon SooHoo/NBAE/ Getty Images
Kenny Anderson was just one in a long line of New York City point guards who starred in the NBA.
There once was a time when the world was big enough for everything the New York City point guard had to give to the game. Yet instead of these point guardschanging, the game has changed around them. No longer do players like Bob Cousy, Lenny Wilkens and Nate Archibald come from the city and invent a style of playthat is appreciated by the masses, leads to Hall of Fame careers and wins NBA championships.
Gone are the Mark Jacksons, Kenny Smiths, Kenny Andersons and Stricklands who did their thing in the parks but still were savvy enough to showcase theirskills at major Division I schools, convincing GMs they could run professional squads but doing so without selling their basketball souls to the NBA.
There might never be another Rafer Alston. Ever.
Left standing from this basketball exodus are the likes of Corey "Homicide" Williams, the oxymoron: a point guard so good he probably will neversee an NBA check.
And just like a stage actor on Broadway who doesn't need Hollywood to find joy or a gospel singer who refuses to leave the church choir to sign a recorddeal or a community activist who doesn't need to be an elected official to have societal impact, the ones who have soul control of the basketball on thestreets of New York are fine with the shine they get from the concrete that gave them life.
Why conquer the world when New York is a more difficult challenge?
Which is why it is only us -- the outsiders -- who sweat Bassy and use his professional career (so far) as the Malachi (the last chapter) of basketball inNew York. The game is so much bigger than just the NBA. The point gods still exist in New York. They just happen to be doing something different.
Which is what makes the Thomas Gray lit so profound. It is a favorite passage of John Wooden. And who better than him to put the game of basketball into aperspective not many of us can relate to. The truth in the words applies to the whole game as it resonates from coast to coast but more directly to theextinction of the NYC point guard.
"The pomp of power … the path of glory lead but to a grave."
The game.
And now there's only Kemba Walker left to resurrect it.
And all that beauty, all that wealth e're gave,
Awaits alike th' inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
--Thomas Gray, "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard"
 |
Or at the Soul in the Hole tournament.
Or in the Entertainer's Basketball Classic.
Every summer, there was another New York City point guard, better, more gifted than the one before. They built reps, built legacies, had false truisms aboutthings they did spread throughout the city, got nicknames from Duke Tango, had people as far as Cali shook, had afro'd shorties in Atlanta makin' hotsauce, had white prodigies in Oregon becoming professors. They provided shoe companies marketing campaigns that turned into TV shows and film docs. They wentfrom urban legends to urbane phenomenons. They became street ball royalty, college stars, NBA prospects. Then all of a sudden -- the New York City point guarddisappeared.
[h4]MORE CITY HIGH[/h4]
This week, ESPN.com is taking a look at some of the nation's top basketball hotbeds. Be sure to check out the City High interactive map and vote to determine which city produces the best talent. • On the map
• Rank the NYC point guards
Or died.
The blame? They put it on Bassy Telfair. But one kid can't kill an entire culture … can he?
With Chris Paul coming from Winston-Salem, N.C., Deron Williams from Dallas, Tony Parker imported from France, Derrick Rose from Chi, Brandon Jennings fromL.A., Jerryd Bayless from Arizona and Ty Lawson from Maryland, it seems like the day of the New York City "point god" is over. A position it seemswas created by those from New York is no longer the cornerstone of the city's relevance in the basketball workforce.
They even let an outsider from Pasadena, Calif. -- Larry "The Bone Collector" Williams, someone The New York Times in 2005 called "a New Yorkstreet star to end all New York street stars" -- come to Rucker Park year after year, break N.Y.'s finest down like syllables, then leave, vowing tonever come back, claiming no one in New York could stop him. Rod Strickland never would have let that happen.
Dave Saffran/WireImage.com
Sebastian Telfair was a star at Lincoln High School, but his NBA career hasn't panned out.
But apparently it has happened. Been happening for a while. And once Sebastian Telfair did not turn into the star many (including this writer) expected himto become, the Krylon was on the wall that the city's forever-long run as the producer of the greatest point guards on Earth had come to an unpredictablysad end.
But to know the New York point guard is to know that the NBA has not, does not and will not define him. To players like James "Speedy" Williams,Robert "Master Rob" Hokett, God Shammgod, Khalid Reeves, Kareem "BKS" Reid, Ed "Booger" Smith, Molloy "The Future"Nesmith, Mike "Smooth" Campbell, Omar Cook, Larry Ayuso, Shaheen Holloway or Ed Cota, it never was about just making the NBA. Because unlike anyother place on this planet, having a million people in New York know who you are and what you do is more rewarding than having a million people aroundthe country watch you on TNT or collecting a check with a million dollars on it.
What's the point in being Jamaal Tinsley, a quasi-respected mid-level starting point guard for the Pacers, but having no one north of 110th Street honoryou as dude in the summer, when you could be Kenny Satterfield or Andre Barrett, who dropped 68 and 66 points, respectively, in a Hoops in the Suntournament game in the Bronx two weeks ago, and get love so unconditional that people riding the 6 uptown with you start rating you as the basketballequivalent of Zeus?
That "love you for life" trade-off that most NYPGs have succumbed to over the past 10 years is possibly the reason the "foreigners" havebeen taking their spots in the NBA. To the point gods left in NYC -- Dwight Hardy, Jeremy Hazell, Kemba Walker -- the world can have that spot; they no longerwant it, no longer need it.
[+] Enlarge
Jon SooHoo/NBAE/ Getty Images
Kenny Anderson was just one in a long line of New York City point guards who starred in the NBA.
There once was a time when the world was big enough for everything the New York City point guard had to give to the game. Yet instead of these point guardschanging, the game has changed around them. No longer do players like Bob Cousy, Lenny Wilkens and Nate Archibald come from the city and invent a style of playthat is appreciated by the masses, leads to Hall of Fame careers and wins NBA championships.
Gone are the Mark Jacksons, Kenny Smiths, Kenny Andersons and Stricklands who did their thing in the parks but still were savvy enough to showcase theirskills at major Division I schools, convincing GMs they could run professional squads but doing so without selling their basketball souls to the NBA.
There might never be another Rafer Alston. Ever.
Left standing from this basketball exodus are the likes of Corey "Homicide" Williams, the oxymoron: a point guard so good he probably will neversee an NBA check.
And just like a stage actor on Broadway who doesn't need Hollywood to find joy or a gospel singer who refuses to leave the church choir to sign a recorddeal or a community activist who doesn't need to be an elected official to have societal impact, the ones who have soul control of the basketball on thestreets of New York are fine with the shine they get from the concrete that gave them life.
Why conquer the world when New York is a more difficult challenge?
Which is why it is only us -- the outsiders -- who sweat Bassy and use his professional career (so far) as the Malachi (the last chapter) of basketball inNew York. The game is so much bigger than just the NBA. The point gods still exist in New York. They just happen to be doing something different.
Which is what makes the Thomas Gray lit so profound. It is a favorite passage of John Wooden. And who better than him to put the game of basketball into aperspective not many of us can relate to. The truth in the words applies to the whole game as it resonates from coast to coast but more directly to theextinction of the NYC point guard.
"The pomp of power … the path of glory lead but to a grave."
The game.
And now there's only Kemba Walker left to resurrect it.
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Jordan (Slinger, WI): Better prep star: Jennings or Evans?
Chris Lawlor: (3:57 PM ET ) Clearly, Jennings. Once in a lifetime player.
Pete, NY: Chris: Villanova recently added Isaiah Armwood to their 2009 class to go along with Maalik Wayns and Transfer Taylor King. With the way things are going on the recruting trail, it appears that Nova will also land either Terrel Vinson or Dom Cheek. Where do you rank this recruiting class if Nova does in fact land Cheek or Vinson? Top 5? Top 10? Thanks.
Chris Lawlor: (3:55 PM ET ) I can say one thing about Nova -- they will make the Final Four in the next five years. The players buy into Jay Wright's family setting. They've been close but the right combination of players will land them in the finals. Armwood, Vinson and Cheek would complete a special class. In '81, Ed Pickney, Gary McLain and Dwayne McClain were the bedrock for the 1985 National Champions.
Even though they're a rival..I'ma fan (minus Shooty)
..
Johnny (GA): Hey Chris...Do you think with the addition of Tyreke Evans, Wesley Witherspoon Angel Garcia, Roburt Sallie and the return of sharp shooting sensation Doneal Mack that Memphis can make it back to the final four? Remember, Anderson Dozier and Taggart all return. And also, is Memphis officialy a top 10 program and not just a fluke?
Chris Lawlor: (3:43 PM ET ) Johnny, methinks you're right. The Tigers have stamped themselves a serious contender and should run the table in Conference USA. (Houston will challenge). If the Tigers return, UConn and NC might be locks for Detroit this March.
Stephen (Reading, MA): Do you think Umass has a shot this year at the NCAAs with Kellog at the helm?
Chris Lawlor: (3:29 PM ET ) The Minutemen are on the verge of returning to the Dance. Derek knows what it's like to win in Amherst. He quarterbacked Calipari's teams for three years, advancing them to the East Regional Final in 1995. Derek is a local kid, he attend Springfield Cathedral High, and has the pulse of the state. Travis Ford did not leave the cupboard empty before departing for Stillwater, OK.
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Yooooo they mentioned Dwight Hardy in that article.. Any NY heads knows whats good with him.
I remember that Kennedy squad, that boy can shoot. And he had the other kid, the lightskinned PG, he was type nice. Lastname started with a F.
I remember that Kennedy squad, that boy can shoot. And he had the other kid, the lightskinned PG, he was type nice. Lastname started with a F.
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just an FYI Scoop Jackson wrote that, didn't show up on the copy/paste
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Partially torn ACL for Daye..
God damn it.
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Nolan Smith hurt his ankle today at the Pro-Am game at my old school.
He was on teams w/ Flip Murray, Shammod Williams and Kyle Singler
He was on teams w/ Flip Murray, Shammod Williams and Kyle Singler
