Here is your daily platter of links from Las Vegas where the nation's top basketball prospects are gathered. Let's start with the local paper the Las Vegas Journal Live. Then there is this link at NBADraft.net followed by one of the better blogs around in Zags Blog.
Let's not forget Jeff Goodman of Fox and then there is the LATimes-Thompson says tournaments not so good for prospect's inflated egos. Lastly, Jody Demling of the Louisville Courier has as a good report up.
The first two contests during tonight's NC Pro Am games at North Carolina Central were relatively quiet. That would soon change as Jerry Stackhouse would suit up for the first time with a cast of Tar Heels. The undefeated Regulators would face the winless E-Net led by Duke freshman Elliot Williams and walk-on Steve Johnson.
Stackhouse, of course, sponsors the tournament and the word is that more ex pros will trickle in over the next two weeks. Joining Stackhouse were rising UNC senior Danny Green and incoming freshman Ed Davis.
The game started off a bit slow as Stackhouse drained a three. Few fans who have watched the games figured Team E-Net had a chance, but as the half went on they hung in the game early in the first half taking a one point lead at 16-15. Shortly thereafter, the fun began.
Elliot Williams jumped out on Danny Green on the far baseline and forced the ball off his leg with smothering defense. This brought the Duke fans to life as cheers echoed throughout the arena. Shortly thereafter Green faked by Williams for a score which brought oohs and ah's from the Tar Heel contingent.
Several big plays ensued, be it a dunk or a block. Stackhouse showed his light blue blood getting a little riled after a few big plays from the Dukies. Ed Davis also stepped up and looked really good on the glass. Steve Johnson scored six points and is fundamentally sound ina many areas of the game.
Toward the end of the half, Williams stole the ball (one of four) and went to the rim to dunk, but Green would have none of that challenging him and getting the block but also the foul as time expired in the half. He also got an elbow in the mouth, blood streaming to the point where he covered his mouth with a towel and sat out the second half.
It was in no way intentional on either players part. Williams hit the deck hard and Green came away with the elbow. The fans enjoyed the mini Duke-UNC rivalry and several seriously hard plays. Green had nine points and shook hands in a show of sportsmanship with Elliot after the game.
During one sequence, Johnson and Williams both had steals and dunks back to back. Elliot again showed the ability to take his man off the dribble and finish with the dunk. He had one play where he blew past Stackhouse for a rim rattling dunk. He struggled a bit from the outside, but again, showed the ability to pass the ball garnering a few assists. Williams ended the game with 21 points.
Former N.C. State star, Josh Powell was the game's leading scorer with 26, but he was literally all E-Net had down low and this coupled Stackhouse's experience made for an easy 73-58 win down the stretch. Still the game was closer than that score indicates. Stackhouse had 12 points and Ed Davis added 14.
In the nightcap, the Barnstormers rattled Team KG 70-58. Kyle Singler had his usual all around game, playing the entire game for his depth shy team. Kyle ended the game with 17 points and as usual was vital in his team's win.
Olek Czyz, called O.C., scored just 8 points tonight with 4 coming off his patented dunks. There were times when he got lost on the court tonight and he will have to position himself better and more importantly know where to be on the court in sets. Olek signed autographs for adoring fans who've come to love his uncanny athletic ability.
Nolan Smith had a quiet 14 points, and seemed to favor his knee. He played sparingly at times due to the nagging problem. This was his first time back after sitting out last Thursday. The three Dukies have led their team to second place in the standing with just one loss.
Duke PG Greg Paulus and Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis were in the house to watch their school mates. Miles Plumlee is listed on a roster but didn't make the early game. Paulus attended the game with his brother who plays for the UNC football team.
The games continue this Thursday at 6:00. The last game tips at 9:00. Here is the Pro Am's official website where you can check the schedules, gametimes and stats. Admission is free.
Kenny Boynton scored 26 second half points leading Team Breakdown to an 85-73 win during the opening day of the Reebok tournament in Las Vegas.
Boynton erupted after struggling with his shot in the first half where his team once trailed by 13 points. Several of the nation's top coaches were on hand to see his performance.
Teammate Brandon Knight added 22 points and the two outdueled Abdul Gaddy (26 points) and Avery Bradley (18 points). Team Breakdown faces D-One Sports today in a much anticipated match up with John Wall.
Wall led his team to a 87-80 win over Worldwide Orange, scoring 30 points in the victory. Here is TSN on the Breakdown game.
Before I get into this interview, let me make this clear. Kenny Boynton is the man for Duke. If something goes south they might look at John Wall and he is still open to Duke coming in. He is a very talented true speedy PG who slashes about the court and makes his teammates better with his abilty to get them the ball. During this interview, I had two cameras on me for they were filming for a documentary on the process surrounding Wall. You never know what might happen in recruiting.
[private]The last time I talked to you was in Durham during the TOC, has anything changed since then?
Not really. I am still wide open and trying to get schools to come in. The schools that are coming at me the hardest are Memphis and Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Baylor, Kansas, Kentucky and NC State so far. Those are the ones coming the hardest but I think other schools are going to come around.
The last time I talked with your coach he said you were not near the point where you would shut down the process. Does that still hold true?
Yes, that's still true, but after Vegas I'm going to narrow my list down going into my senior year. You've got to get your five ... get your business set up.
So, is their anyone that would make the top five for sure ... right now ... anyone guaranteed a visit?
No, not yet. There's a couple of schools getting close to it.
You just scored thirty points in your last game, but your team came up short. Did you miss Ryan Kelly?
Yeah, Kelly's a big part. He gives us a presence in the paint and as you could see we lacked that. We weren't playing defense and getting back. We just didn't make our shots but we played hard.
Is the AAU season taking a toll on you?
Yeah, it gets kind of tough, but you go back home. In between you just ice your knees and relax. We'll go to Vegas (Reebok) next and then I can rest for a little while before preparing for my senior year.
(I then turned my attention to his coach Dwon Clifton who is always by his side) He said -
"I think he has an idea of what he wants. I want him to be comfortable with what he does. He has a lot of talent and I encourage him to get better and stronger. I mean, now that people knows who he is some of the flaws he could once get away with he will now have to develop. Now, everyone is going to start to push him and pull him and try to get him to go against his people and get him to feel like no one can tell him anything. This world can eat him up. I've seen it happen to too many players, myself included. (played at Clemson). I don't want that to be the case with him."
So, will your coach be a big part of the process?
He's like a bigger brother to me. I don't have one like that so he fills in. With DC ... we can go out and stuff and just have a good time. He's trying to develop me through this process because he went through it at Clemson. So, when I make my decision, I am going to ask him or talk to him about it.
Who are some of the toughest guys you've gone against on the circuit?
Tommy Mason here. He's really tough.
What does John Wall need to work on for his game to get better?
I've got to get stronger, work on my jump shot, defense, lateral movement ... there's a lot of stuff I can work on. You just can't stop when you get on top. I have some God given ability but I need to keep working because everybody else will.
What keeps you motivated?
Playing for my Dad. He died when I was ten years old. My Mom, my sister .. just want to get them to a better place.
How long have you know your Coach?
I knew him from the AAU circuit when I was about 14, but he really started coming in in the last two years talking to me. Now he's my AAU coach and gives me advice.
Of the ACC schools, you mentioned NC State. With you playing highs school ball down the road, do they push hard?
They come visit every game they can. Duke came to a couple of my games this year. Carolina came to a couple.
You've been to some of there games too, right?
Yes, I have been to a couple of Duke games and a Carolina game.
How did you like the atmosphere at those schools?
It's a good atmosphere.. crazy, people are going crazy everywhere at Duke and UNC ... all those fans.
Did Duke contact you at one time or are they in touch?
Coach Dawkins and Coach K came to a couple of my games. They said they wanted to start recruiting me and stuff like that. I took their advice and came to the TOC and was able to play a game in Cameron.
Have they been in touch since that time?
Uhhh .. I haven't talked to them since Coach Dawkins got the job at Stanford.
UNC?
No, haven't heard from them.
Thanks for your time and I wish you luck in choosing the right school.
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The signature moment to date in Dave McClure's tenure as a Duke Blue Devil is his game winning basket against Clemson on January 25, 2007. McClure caught a pass from Jon Scheyer and sank a basket over K.C. Rivers as time expired giving Duke a 68-66 victory. It was vintage McClure - hustling to the right place at the right time. In describing McClure, Coach Krzyzewski stated, "He makes simple, terrific plays." Three nights later, against Boston College, Dave McClure hyper extended his left knee.
His career at Duke has been hampered by injuries. He has had surgery on both knees while a Blue Devil. McClure missed the entire 2005-2006 season after having left knee surgery on February 1, 2005. Surgery on his right knee was performed on August 21, 2007. McClure has played in 88 games for the Blue Devils and averaged 2.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game. McClure was most productive as a sophomore, in the 2006-2007 season, when he averaged 4.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 21.7 minutes per game. He started 11 games in his sophomore season.
The 6-6 205 pound redshirt senior was ranked as the # 57 player in the high school Class of 2004 by Scout.com and arrived at Duke with a reputation as not being the most athletic player, but a guy with high basketball IQ. Dave attended high school at Trinity Catholic in Ridgefield, CT and helped the Crusaders win three state championships. At Duke, McClure has demonstrated he has a nose for the ball and is willing to do whatever it takes – dive on the floor – jump into the stands – battle bigger opponents – to gain possession.
What will McClure’s role be in his senior season? It is a given that Coach Krzyzewski will look to McClure for leadership, but it is less clear how much of that leadership will actually take place on the court. With the arrival of two freshman front court players, Olek Czyz and Miles Plumlee, and the possibility of a healthy Brian Zoubek, McClure will face tough competition for playing time. His new teammates are bigger and have two healthy knees each, but Dave McClure has the advantage of experience in the Duke system and understanding Coach Krzyzewski's desires in given situations. That is a big advantage but in and of itself will not be enough to secure playing time. Dave McClure is going to have to out perform his teammates in practice to see the court come game time. The jury is out and only time will tell the results, but scrappy Dave McClure will surely be hustling for every rebound and diving for every loose ball once practice starts.
Team USA fell to host Argentina, 77-64, in the championship game at the FIBA Americas U18 tournament in Formoso, Argentina. UConn incoming freshman Kemba Walker scored 21 points in the defeat and was named the tournament Most Valuable Player.
Argentina used two big runs to secure the victory: 14-2 in the first quarter and 11-0 in the third. USA Coach Bob McKillop described the environment as hostile and credited the Argentina team with being very talented and deserving champions. He said the experience will assist the players in their upcoming college careers.
In July 2009, the U19 World Championship will be held in New Zealand and the USA will have the opportunity for redemption against Argentina and other top international teams.
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