Wednesday, July 25, 2012
2013 Prospect: Jarell Martin (Baton Rouge, LA) 6-9 220 PF
Jarell Martin
Power forward
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Class: 2013
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 220 lbs
ballislife.com
Rivals.com
RandyTVMartin/You Tube
For a list of UCLA prospects, check out right side bar.
Power forward
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Class: 2013
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 220 lbs
ballislife.com
Rivals.com
RandyTVMartin/You Tube
For a list of UCLA prospects, check out right side bar.
Ced tearing it up in The Philippines!!!
Thanks to crgreen for letting the BZ faithful know where Ced is currently hoopin!
The first article says that Jelani was in Manila, too, back in May. Looks like Ced's team, Barangay Ginebra Kings got to the playoffs in the PBA Governor's Cup but fell short of making it to the finals (ala the Spurs and the Celtics this year).
Here a last minute shot by Ced on July 8 for the win!!!
Mr47Hassan/You Tube
minako44/You Tube
A few articles on Ced and his escapades in The Phillipines:
The first article says that Jelani was in Manila, too, back in May. Looks like Ced's team, Barangay Ginebra Kings got to the playoffs in the PBA Governor's Cup but fell short of making it to the finals (ala the Spurs and the Celtics this year).
Here a last minute shot by Ced on July 8 for the win!!!
Mr47Hassan/You Tube
minako44/You Tube
A few articles on Ced and his escapades in The Phillipines:
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The Philippine Star
Updated May 14, 2012 12:00 AM
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Monday, July 23, 2012
Kevin Durant's 27 Points Lead USA To 86-80 Win Over Argentina
Making 7-of-11 3-point shots, Kevin Durant finished with 27 points to lead the USA to an 86-80 win over Argentina. Andrew D. Bernstein /NBAE/Getty Images
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Kevin Durant's 27 Points Lead USA To 86-80 Win Over Argentina
http://www.usabasketball.com/
July 22, 2012 • Barcelona, Spain
Twenty years after the 1992 USA Basketball Dream Team made its indelible impact on international basketball at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, USA Basketball’s 2012 Men’s National Team (4-0), wearing 1992 USA Basketball throwback jerseys, returned to the hardwood in Barcelona and battled to a hard fought 86-80 win over Argentina. Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) drained 7-of-11 3-pointers to finish with a game high 27 points in the win.
“We started off pretty well, got a couple of shots. Argentina did a great job of slowing the game down, making the right passes and penetrating and executing. So, it was a good game for us. We learned a lot tonight. We just have to keep getting better for the Olympics and our guys did a good job of playing through everything, playing hard, playing together,” said Durant, the Tiffany & Co. Player of the Game.
The Americans will conduct a practice Monday in Barcelona, then finish off their National Team tour with an exhibition game against host Spain on Tuesday (4:30 p.m. EDT) at Palau Sant Jordi.
“It was a great game for us because we played against champions. The Argentine team played like champions for over a decade and to play in a game like, I thought it was really our first international. I thought our guys did a great job at the start of each half,” said Mike Krzyzewski, USA and Duke University head coach.
“I thought Kevin was sensational tonight against man and zone. He looked like he did in Istanbul tonight.” added Krzyzewski about Durant, who earned MVP honors in leading the USA to gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
In a preview of the upcoming Aug. 6 USA-Argentina Olympics preliminary round game, the 2012 USA Basketball Men’s National Team dominated Argentina early then turned back each Argentina comeback attempt.
Durant gave an indication of things to come when he dropped back-to-back 3-pointers on the USA first two possessions and after Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) scored with 8:46 still to play in the quarter the Americans were off to a flying 8-0 start.
Argentina’s Luis Scola made one of two free throws to get Argentina on the board, but the U.S. threatened to make a rout of the game after Bryant and Durant each added 3-pointers and Bryant converted off a fast break to push the USA advantage to 16-1.
A Bryant 3-pointer, the USA’s fifth of the game’s first 3:15, made the score 19-3. Argentina reeled off six consecutive points to cut the deficit to 19-9 with 3:30 remaining in the opening quarter, and with 46 seconds to play in the period the USA led 25-14.
Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks) got in the 3-point parade with a three with 38 seconds left before the horn, and when Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets) hit nothing but net from beyond the 3-point arc as the first quarter buzzer sounded, the Americans had control 31-16.
The U.S. continued to have its way and following four points from Bryant, two free throws and a hoop off a drive, the USA lead was up to 20, 39-19, with 6:56 remaining before half.
Argentina climbed back into the game with a mini 10-0 run. The run included a six point series when USA guard Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) was whistled for a foul, and called for an intention foul on the continuation. Argentina’s Fauundo Campazzo made 3-of-4 free throws, then after being awarded possession of the ball as well, Carlos Delfino nailed a three to cut the USA lead to 39-29.
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| Russell Westbrook. Andrew D. Bernstein /NBAE/Getty Images |
A Durant jumper, a Bryant 3-pointer, and a James basket got the USA off to a good third quarter start and upped the lead to 54-40.
Ahead 61-49, the USA ripped off eight straight points including another three from Durant, and the lead was back to 20 points, 69-49, with 3:01 left in the third.
Argentina again rallied and after outscoring the U.S. 12-3 to close out the third quarter, the USA’s lead stood at 72-61 heading into the final period.
Owning a 78-63 led early in the fourth, Argentina got eight points from NBA All-Star Manu Ginobili in a 11-0 run which saw Argentina close to within four points, 78-74, with 2:50 left in the game.
Durant made his seventh 3-pointer when the USA needed it most, and when Paul followed up with his own 3-pointer with 2:07 to go, the USA regained momentum and control 84-76 and rolled on in for the 86-80 win.
In addition to Durant’s 27 points, Bryant added 18 points, James recorded 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Westbrook tossed in 13 points. Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks) led the U.S. effort on the glass with eight boards.
Ginobili finished with 23 points for Argentina, while Delfino added 15 points Scola finished with 14 points.
Along with USA assistant coaches, Syracuse University and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim and former NBA head coaches Mike D’Antoni and Nate McMillan, Krzyzewski has led the USA.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Basketball: Love good fit for U.S. team
(Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE)
Basketball: Love good fit for U.S. team
Published: July 14, 2012 Updated: 9:19 p.m.
Orange County Register
FROM REGISTER NEWS SERVICES
Friday, July 13, 2012
UCLA, and Joshua Smith, appear hungry for basketball success
Thanks to PLAINDISGUSTED for posting this on BZ!
Junior center Joshua Smith had made big strides in controlling his weight and improving conditioning as Bruins prepare for a momentous season with a touted freshman class and renovated Pauley Pavilion.
By Chris Foster
The Los Angeles Times
6:14 PM PDT, July 10, 2012
Joshua Smith crashed through the lane and jumped . . . yes, jumped . . . to tip in a rebound.
He then sprinted . . . yes, sprinted . . . to get back on defense.
Back on offense, he posted up and spun quickly . . . yes, quickly . . . for a layup.
As UCLA prepares for the 2012-13 basketball season, there are several weighty topics to discuss: The four incoming freshman who comprise one of the nation's best recruiting classes . . . a trip to China for three exhibition games in August . . . and, of course, renovated Pauley Pavilion, which reopens in November.
But the meat-and-potatoes talking point remains Smith, who was billed as the future of Bruins basketball when he arrived from Kent (Wash.) Kentwood High two years ago.
Smith led the then-Pac-10 Conference in offensive rebounding as a freshman but grew more in girth than in game last season. He said he lost his appetite for basketball while falling into poor eating habits.
Months of soul-searching later, the 6-foot-10 Smith is 15 pounds closer to his listed weight of 305 and more capable of handling the up-tempo plans Coach Ben Howland has for the Bruins.
Smith kept pace during an open practice Tuesday, leaving the court head up instead of hunched over and gasping for air. He looked more like the dominant big man that was his billing out of high school.
"I didn't want to just talk the talk," said Smith, who will be a junior this fall. "I want people to look out there and say, 'He's lost 20-30 pounds.' I want to be able to play more than 17 minutes a game."
Howland knows what that could mean.
"I don't think there is anyone in the college game who can stop Josh one-on-one in the post," Howland said.
Smith still considers himself a work in progress. But he said he is no longer an exercise in regress.
Even during a productive freshman season in which he averaged 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds and shot 55.5%, Smith was not in top shape. He finished the season with a 16-point game, making seven of 11 shots in a loss to Florida in the NCAA tournament. But he said he didn't do much in terms of training last summer and it showed.
Last season, his weight rose while his effectiveness — and numbers — dipped. He averaged 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds.
There were still moments — Smith scored 24 points and made nine of 13 shots against Washington —but the highlights were fewer and farther between.
"Last season was well documented," Howland said.
Everyone saw it. Well, almost everyone.
"I heard the talk," Smith said. "I tried to ignore it."
Denial was over after he huffed and puffed through just nine minutes in a season-ending loss to Arizona during the Pac-12 tournament that left the Bruins 19-14.
"It's always been easy for Josh," Howland said. "He was bigger and has been able to take advantage of that. . . . That is minimized as you move up the ladder."
Smith now consults a nutritionist who has changed his diet and habits.
"I'd go to class, have a Jamba Juice and go to practice," Smith said. "I would be running on fumes all day and try to make up for it later. Your body is looking to store the food you need. When you eat all at one time, it's going to store it all."
Now, Smith said, "I have a protein shake in the morning, maybe some chicken tacos or soup before I work out. At home, maybe have another shake or some grilled chicken, brown rice, some veggies."
Basketball is also back on the menu, as Smith said he rediscovered "my passion" for the game.
"Two years have gone by fast," Smith said. "I can't look back. I have two years left to do something."
That could become an easier task with some help. The Bruins' four freshmen — forward Shabazz Muhammad, guard Kyle Anderson, center Tony Parker and guard Jordan Adams — are ranked second nationally as a class by Scout.com.
Parker in particular could be viewed as a 6-foot-9, 270-pound wake-up call for Smith.
"Josh was motivated the first couple times he went against Tony," Howland said. "Here's a young kid, an All-America [in high school], as was Josh, coming in to battle for playing time."
That competition will be across the board.
The Bruins will get bonus practice time this summer because of their trip to China in late August. They are also getting to work out with coaches under a new NCAA rule that allows for summer practices.
Muhammad "grabbed every offensive rebound the first practice," Howland said, but he suffered a high ankle sprain and has not practiced since. Anderson, a 6-8 point guard, has not been allowed to participate in contact drills after surgery on his left wrist. Both are expected to be ready to play on the China trip.
The Bruins will play two university teams on the tour, plus the Shanghai Sharks, a pro team.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Joshua Smith vows a different approach
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/US PresswireAn in-shape and motivated Joshua Smith could be the key for UCLA to make a championship run. The junior center says he wants to show everyone how serious he is this season.
Joshua Smith vows a different approach
By Peter Yoon | UCLA Report | ESPNLosAngeles.com
July, 10, 2012 7:01 PM PT
LOS ANGELES -- The thought crept into Joshua Smith’s head without warning: What if two more years go by and nothing has changed?
The 2011-12 UCLA basketball season was forgettable for the Bruins in part because Smith’s untapped potential remained trapped in underachievement.
Those types of seasons tend to send thoughts streaming into your head. What went wrong? Why did it happen? What could I have done to prevent it? Those are the questions for which Smith had easy answers. He came to camp out of shape, never did anything about it and should have done more than sit on his couch in Washington all last summer.
But the thought of another season in which he fails to live up to expectations inspired Smith to take action. He vowed not to let his conditioning go unchecked for an entire summer. Instead of returning home, he would stay on campus and work with his team. He sought the advice of a nutritionist and bought a Magic Bullet blender.
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Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesJoshua Smith readily admits he could have done more last offseason to be in better shape and also questioned how much he wanted to play basketball.
Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesJoshua Smith readily admits he could have done more last offseason to be in better shape and also questioned how much he wanted to play basketball.
In short, he decided that he no longer wanted to be the guy who was supposed to break out as one of the country’s best big men. He wants to be the guy who does.
“Two years have already gone by,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of things I would want to change, but I can’t. I’ve got two years left to do something. It’s kind of like I woke up after my sophomore year and said I don’t want to look back at college and say, ‘If I would have done this or if I would have gotten in shape, things would have been different.’ I just want to do it and see what happens.”
Smith took the lion’s share of the blame for UCLA failing to meet expectations last season. A 6-foot-10 All-American coming out of high school, Smith seemed destined to become a star. He’s charismatic, well-spoken and has shown flashes of NBA ability throughout his two seasons.
Motivation, however, has been an issue since before he stepped on campus. Smith never was one of the players who stayed after practice to work on skills and conditioning. He didn’t put much stock into grinding in the weight room. He played basketball mostly because he was big. And because he was big, he could hold his own. But he sometimes thought of himself as a baseball player trapped in a basketball body.
“I’m not going to lie, I questioned how much I wanted to play basketball,” he said. “I never really loved the game. I just kind of coasted off the fact that I was 6-10.”
In college, Smith clearly couldn’t coast. Guys he easily outplayed in high school were outworking him by leaps and bounds and out-playing him. He averaged 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds as a freshman, but that dropped to 9.9 and 4.9 as a sophomore. The main culprit was foul trouble that kept him off the court. He played 21.7 minutes a game as a freshman and only 17.2 last season.
Many of those fouls were conditioning related. He got tired easily, so he got lazy and began reaching in or tried plowing though people because he didn’t have the stamina to make a move. Teams routinely neutralized him with double teams because he simply didn’t have the energy to find a way out of it.
Smith acknowledges he knew things weren’t going well, yet did little to prevent it. This year, he said, is going to be different.
“I want to actually do something about it and not just talk the talk and not walk the walk,” he said. “That’s just what I’m trying to do now so that when it comes to the season, people are like, ‘Wow, this guy is really serious. He’s lost 20-30 pounds and he’s motivated.’ I don’t want to show up like I did last season where since the exhibition game, it just went all downhill.”
If Smith follows through on those promises, UCLA will be a force in college basketball this season. The Bruins have added the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class with players such as Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson, who can be immediate difference-makers.
Add in a solid core of returning players, such as twins David and Travis Wear, Tyler Lamb and Norman Powell , and you have a team that many are picking to make a serious national championship run. Smith, of course, is the X-factor.
If Smith is in shape and effective, it will either open the floor for slashing scorers such as Muhammad and sharpshooters such as freshman Jordan Adams or create a favorable matchup for Smith in the paint.
“I think Josh is key,” coach Ben Howland said. “I think that Josh is as hard of a matchup as there is. I don’t think anybody in the college game can stop Josh one-on-one in the post. He is the key for us, no doubt.”
“Two years have already gone by,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of things I would want to change, but I can’t. I’ve got two years left to do something. It’s kind of like I woke up after my sophomore year and said I don’t want to look back at college and say, ‘If I would have done this or if I would have gotten in shape, things would have been different.’ I just want to do it and see what happens.”
Smith took the lion’s share of the blame for UCLA failing to meet expectations last season. A 6-foot-10 All-American coming out of high school, Smith seemed destined to become a star. He’s charismatic, well-spoken and has shown flashes of NBA ability throughout his two seasons.
Motivation, however, has been an issue since before he stepped on campus. Smith never was one of the players who stayed after practice to work on skills and conditioning. He didn’t put much stock into grinding in the weight room. He played basketball mostly because he was big. And because he was big, he could hold his own. But he sometimes thought of himself as a baseball player trapped in a basketball body.
“I’m not going to lie, I questioned how much I wanted to play basketball,” he said. “I never really loved the game. I just kind of coasted off the fact that I was 6-10.”
In college, Smith clearly couldn’t coast. Guys he easily outplayed in high school were outworking him by leaps and bounds and out-playing him. He averaged 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds as a freshman, but that dropped to 9.9 and 4.9 as a sophomore. The main culprit was foul trouble that kept him off the court. He played 21.7 minutes a game as a freshman and only 17.2 last season.
Many of those fouls were conditioning related. He got tired easily, so he got lazy and began reaching in or tried plowing though people because he didn’t have the stamina to make a move. Teams routinely neutralized him with double teams because he simply didn’t have the energy to find a way out of it.
Smith acknowledges he knew things weren’t going well, yet did little to prevent it. This year, he said, is going to be different.
“I want to actually do something about it and not just talk the talk and not walk the walk,” he said. “That’s just what I’m trying to do now so that when it comes to the season, people are like, ‘Wow, this guy is really serious. He’s lost 20-30 pounds and he’s motivated.’ I don’t want to show up like I did last season where since the exhibition game, it just went all downhill.”
If Smith follows through on those promises, UCLA will be a force in college basketball this season. The Bruins have added the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class with players such as Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson, who can be immediate difference-makers.
Add in a solid core of returning players, such as twins David and Travis Wear, Tyler Lamb and Norman Powell , and you have a team that many are picking to make a serious national championship run. Smith, of course, is the X-factor.
If Smith is in shape and effective, it will either open the floor for slashing scorers such as Muhammad and sharpshooters such as freshman Jordan Adams or create a favorable matchup for Smith in the paint.
“I think Josh is key,” coach Ben Howland said. “I think that Josh is as hard of a matchup as there is. I don’t think anybody in the college game can stop Josh one-on-one in the post. He is the key for us, no doubt.”
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Frank Franklin IIUCLA coach Ben Howland says he doesn't think anybody in the college game can stop Joshua Smith one-on-one in the post.
AP Photo/Frank Franklin IIUCLA coach Ben Howland says he doesn't think anybody in the college game can stop Joshua Smith one-on-one in the post.
And Howland said Smith is finally beginning to figure out just how much better the team will be if he can play productive minutes.
“He understood that last year because I told him that,” Howland said. “But I think he’s starting to embrace it.”
He’s also making strides in the effort to get in better condition. He’s eating smarter, for one thing. Last year, he said, he wouldn’t eat before practice and that created a vicious circle in which he would run out of energy while practicing and therefore be unable to work himself into shape.
Then, to make matters worse, he’d go home after practice and eat a big meal because he was so hungry from not eating and working out.
“I was having a Jamba Juice and that’s all I would eat,” Smith said. “I’m running on fumes, two workouts and a practice and then by the time I’m eating, I’m in starvation mode.”
Now, with the aid of a nutritionist and his Magic Bullet blender, Smith is eating smaller meals spaced throughout the day. He also checks in with her before he goes out to dinner and asks for some good options at the restaurant.
He gets weighed once a week but never asks the total. He knows only that he has lost between 15-20 pounds since the end of last season and still has a long way to go.
“I feel a lot better,” he said. “I’m just trying to take care of my body, just make sure I’m hydrated, make sure I’m eating and I just feel good. Running up and down I feel like I can still do better to where I can play 30 minutes a game without getting in to foul trouble and giving it my all.”
Given what happened last summer when Smith said he “was chilling and enjoying my summer,” his teammates promised to keep a close eye on him this summer. They all know how important he is to the team’s success and wanted to make sure he reported ready to play when the season opens. So far, however, they haven’t had to say much.
“We haven’t really had to be on him,” Lamb said. “Everybody saw what happened to us last year and Josh knows what he can do and what he’s capable of and he’s been on himself. He’s been real disciplined.”
It’s already paying dividends on the court. During a practice session of nearly an hour Tuesday, the Bruins worked exclusively on transition offense -- getting out and running the floor. Smith played the entire session without a break and never seemed to lag far behind.
He ran the floor as hard as he could, scored, rebounded and blocked shots. A youth basketball camp was there watching and, after the session was over, the Bruins treated the kids to a slam-dunk session. Smith threw down three two-handed power jams without much of a problem.
“It’s just a process,” Smith said. “I feel better running up and down, but the season isn’t for another four months so I’ve got to keep going. … People aren’t expecting anything out of me. They’re just like, 'Josh had a decent year his freshman year, had a lackluster year sophomore year and it’s not like he’s the kind of guy who can do that' and I’m just trying to prove them wrong.”
“He understood that last year because I told him that,” Howland said. “But I think he’s starting to embrace it.”
He’s also making strides in the effort to get in better condition. He’s eating smarter, for one thing. Last year, he said, he wouldn’t eat before practice and that created a vicious circle in which he would run out of energy while practicing and therefore be unable to work himself into shape.
Then, to make matters worse, he’d go home after practice and eat a big meal because he was so hungry from not eating and working out.
“I was having a Jamba Juice and that’s all I would eat,” Smith said. “I’m running on fumes, two workouts and a practice and then by the time I’m eating, I’m in starvation mode.”
Now, with the aid of a nutritionist and his Magic Bullet blender, Smith is eating smaller meals spaced throughout the day. He also checks in with her before he goes out to dinner and asks for some good options at the restaurant.
He gets weighed once a week but never asks the total. He knows only that he has lost between 15-20 pounds since the end of last season and still has a long way to go.
“I feel a lot better,” he said. “I’m just trying to take care of my body, just make sure I’m hydrated, make sure I’m eating and I just feel good. Running up and down I feel like I can still do better to where I can play 30 minutes a game without getting in to foul trouble and giving it my all.”
Given what happened last summer when Smith said he “was chilling and enjoying my summer,” his teammates promised to keep a close eye on him this summer. They all know how important he is to the team’s success and wanted to make sure he reported ready to play when the season opens. So far, however, they haven’t had to say much.
“We haven’t really had to be on him,” Lamb said. “Everybody saw what happened to us last year and Josh knows what he can do and what he’s capable of and he’s been on himself. He’s been real disciplined.”
It’s already paying dividends on the court. During a practice session of nearly an hour Tuesday, the Bruins worked exclusively on transition offense -- getting out and running the floor. Smith played the entire session without a break and never seemed to lag far behind.
He ran the floor as hard as he could, scored, rebounded and blocked shots. A youth basketball camp was there watching and, after the session was over, the Bruins treated the kids to a slam-dunk session. Smith threw down three two-handed power jams without much of a problem.
“It’s just a process,” Smith said. “I feel better running up and down, but the season isn’t for another four months so I’ve got to keep going. … People aren’t expecting anything out of me. They’re just like, 'Josh had a decent year his freshman year, had a lackluster year sophomore year and it’s not like he’s the kind of guy who can do that' and I’m just trying to prove them wrong.”
Arrival of fabulous freshmen raise the expectations
Kelly Kline/Getty ImagesShabazz Muhammad hopes to take UCLA to new heights in the coming season.
Arrival of fabulous freshmen raise the expectations
LOS ANGELES -- The basketball season is still four months away, but Shabazz Muhammad can already feel the pressure starting to build.
Muhammad has been at UCLA less than two weeks but has already seen the people pointing at him as walks by and heard the whispers about how he and his fellow freshmen would be the guys to pull UCLA out of the college basketball doldrums.
Muhammad is used to that kind of attention having been the top high school recruit in the nation for most of the past year, but the stage suddenly became a lot bigger when he arrived at UCLA to begin summer school on June 25.
Muhammad has been at UCLA less than two weeks but has already seen the people pointing at him as walks by and heard the whispers about how he and his fellow freshmen would be the guys to pull UCLA out of the college basketball doldrums.
Muhammad is used to that kind of attention having been the top high school recruit in the nation for most of the past year, but the stage suddenly became a lot bigger when he arrived at UCLA to begin summer school on June 25.
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Courtesy Scott KurtzShabazz Muhammad says he felt the pressure right away when he stepped onto the UCLA campus, but he plans to be a leader for this team.
Courtesy Scott KurtzShabazz Muhammad says he felt the pressure right away when he stepped onto the UCLA campus, but he plans to be a leader for this team.
During the recruiting period, everyone fantasized about the potential monster recruiting class, with Muhammad joining Kyle Anderson, Tony Parker and Jordan Adams. After all four signed with UCLA, giving coach Ben Howland the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, the fantasy turned to speculation about just how good UCLA would be.
But fantasy and speculation turned to reality once those four players stepped onto campus. Even though they could barely find their way from dorm rooms to class rooms and practice facilities, they were looked at as the guys who would lead UCLA back to the college basketball promised land.
“I could feel the pressure right away,” Muhammad said. “There’s been a lot of talk about this class and what we’re going to do for UCLA, but now we’re here and we have to go out there and prove ourselves. It’s a great opportunity for us, but it’s also a lot of pressure.”
Anderson, Parker and Adams also used the word “pressure” several times when talking about arriving at UCLA. A certain amount of pressure comes with the territory of being named the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, but the pressure for these guys is different.
UCLA has a storied tradition with 11 national championships and a place on the Mt. Rushmore of college basketball programs, but the Bruins are in the midst of a downturn. They missed the NCAA tournament last season for the second time in three seasons and haven’t made it to the second week of the NCAA tournament since a run to the Final Four in 2008. Add to that a Sports Illustrated report last March that painted the program in an unflattering light and you have a program on the brink of sliding into oblivion.
Yet somehow Las Vegas bookmakers list the odds of UCLA winning the national title at 15-1. Only Indiana, Louisville and Kentucky --- teams that made deep runs in the NCAA tournament last season -- are more heavily favored. The arrival of Muhammad, Anderson, Parker and Adams is a major reason why.
“All of us know that they had a down year last year, so they brought us in here for a reason and that was to win,” Adams said. “We know there is going to be pressure because we’re expected to do big things. It’s going to make us better because we don’t want to be embarrassed by pressure. It’s going make us dig down and fight.”
But fantasy and speculation turned to reality once those four players stepped onto campus. Even though they could barely find their way from dorm rooms to class rooms and practice facilities, they were looked at as the guys who would lead UCLA back to the college basketball promised land.
“I could feel the pressure right away,” Muhammad said. “There’s been a lot of talk about this class and what we’re going to do for UCLA, but now we’re here and we have to go out there and prove ourselves. It’s a great opportunity for us, but it’s also a lot of pressure.”
Anderson, Parker and Adams also used the word “pressure” several times when talking about arriving at UCLA. A certain amount of pressure comes with the territory of being named the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, but the pressure for these guys is different.
UCLA has a storied tradition with 11 national championships and a place on the Mt. Rushmore of college basketball programs, but the Bruins are in the midst of a downturn. They missed the NCAA tournament last season for the second time in three seasons and haven’t made it to the second week of the NCAA tournament since a run to the Final Four in 2008. Add to that a Sports Illustrated report last March that painted the program in an unflattering light and you have a program on the brink of sliding into oblivion.
Yet somehow Las Vegas bookmakers list the odds of UCLA winning the national title at 15-1. Only Indiana, Louisville and Kentucky --- teams that made deep runs in the NCAA tournament last season -- are more heavily favored. The arrival of Muhammad, Anderson, Parker and Adams is a major reason why.
“All of us know that they had a down year last year, so they brought us in here for a reason and that was to win,” Adams said. “We know there is going to be pressure because we’re expected to do big things. It’s going to make us better because we don’t want to be embarrassed by pressure. It’s going make us dig down and fight.”
Courtesy of Brendan NolanJordan Adams figures to be one of the Bruins' best outside shooters this season and is ready for the challenge.
Some have called this class the saviors of UCLA basketball and of Howland’s job. Muhammad is the type of dynamic scorer who can elevate a team by himself. Anderson, an enigma as a 6-foot-9 point guard, provides a matchup nightmare for opponents because of his post-player size and guard-like skills.
Parker is a big-bodied, 6-9 post player and Adams is the lethal outside shooting specialist. In the ESPNU class of 2012 high school prospect rankings, Muhammad was No. 2, Anderson No. 5, Parker No. 26 and Adams No. 41. Only defending national champion Kentucky had a class that compared.
It’s a class that on paper certainly appears to have what it takes to pull UCLA out of its current tailspin, but that savior talk might be taking it a little too far, according to the players. Saying that infers that the program needs to be saved, and they just don’t see it that way.
“I don’t think we’re the saviors,” Parker said. “I think we’re just putting some light on something that was already there. We’re just picking up where things left off a few years ago. John Wooden started all this. When a team has 11 national championships, there isn’t anybody who can be a savior or anything like that.”
They can, however, help UCLA return to the nation’s elite. Howland had UCLA very much in the national championship picture when he led the team to three consecutive Final Four appearances from 2006 to '08, but the past three seasons have been mostly forgettable as the Bruins have endured a mediocre 56-43 record in addition to off-court indignity.
Pulling off a turnaround that puts UCLA back in the national championship picture is a major motivating factor for the incoming class. It would have been easy to turn away UCLA during its downturn in fortunes, but all four freshmen cited the opportunity to turn around the program as a primary reason for picking UCLA.
“If I’m on a team who helped turn the program back to where it was before, that puts my name and my teammates’ names up there with UCLA legends and greats,” Anderson said. “If we’re able to get UCLA back to where it was before, that just marks our names in this storied tradition.”
The first step in reversing the current down cycle was getting the players on campus. The next step lies in figuring out the proper way to use them. Howland has found himself in a perfect storm in that regard. First, the NCAA relaxed restrictions on summer practice, so coaches are allowed to hold practices for two hours a week.
And second, UCLA will embark on a trip to China for three exhibition games in late August, so Howland will be allowed to hold 10 full practice sessions in advance of that trip.
Parker is a big-bodied, 6-9 post player and Adams is the lethal outside shooting specialist. In the ESPNU class of 2012 high school prospect rankings, Muhammad was No. 2, Anderson No. 5, Parker No. 26 and Adams No. 41. Only defending national champion Kentucky had a class that compared.
It’s a class that on paper certainly appears to have what it takes to pull UCLA out of its current tailspin, but that savior talk might be taking it a little too far, according to the players. Saying that infers that the program needs to be saved, and they just don’t see it that way.
“I don’t think we’re the saviors,” Parker said. “I think we’re just putting some light on something that was already there. We’re just picking up where things left off a few years ago. John Wooden started all this. When a team has 11 national championships, there isn’t anybody who can be a savior or anything like that.”
They can, however, help UCLA return to the nation’s elite. Howland had UCLA very much in the national championship picture when he led the team to three consecutive Final Four appearances from 2006 to '08, but the past three seasons have been mostly forgettable as the Bruins have endured a mediocre 56-43 record in addition to off-court indignity.
Pulling off a turnaround that puts UCLA back in the national championship picture is a major motivating factor for the incoming class. It would have been easy to turn away UCLA during its downturn in fortunes, but all four freshmen cited the opportunity to turn around the program as a primary reason for picking UCLA.
“If I’m on a team who helped turn the program back to where it was before, that puts my name and my teammates’ names up there with UCLA legends and greats,” Anderson said. “If we’re able to get UCLA back to where it was before, that just marks our names in this storied tradition.”
The first step in reversing the current down cycle was getting the players on campus. The next step lies in figuring out the proper way to use them. Howland has found himself in a perfect storm in that regard. First, the NCAA relaxed restrictions on summer practice, so coaches are allowed to hold practices for two hours a week.
And second, UCLA will embark on a trip to China for three exhibition games in late August, so Howland will be allowed to hold 10 full practice sessions in advance of that trip.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Nam Y. HuhTony Parker says the group of freshmen coming to UCLA are no saviors by any means. He just wants to continue the tradition John Wooden started.
“That extra time is huge for us this year,” Howland said. “It’s going to help build the relationship between the coaches and the players and build the chemistry between the players, and all that will help get these guys integrated. That is a good thing for this team, especially since we’re so young.”
Howland says he plans on emphasizing the up-tempo game during these summer workouts. With the athleticism of Muhammad and Anderson along with speedy point guard Larry Drew -- a senior transfer from North Carolina who is the other new face for UCLA this season -- the team is well-suited to push the tempo.
And with good depth at every position for the first time in several seasons, Howland said he’ll be able to rotate guys in and out more often so speeding the tempo won’t cause too much fatigue.
“We’re really trying to speed up how fast we’re going to get the ball up the floor and take advantage of having good depth by playing faster,” Howland said. “Obviously, we want to build our defense from day one, but we want to get a lot better than we’ve been at pushing the ball the past couple of years.”
The arrival of a highly anticipated freshmen class has had the side effect of inspiring the returning players. Practices so far have been ultra-competitive with older players knowing they will have to step up their games to avoid losing playing time.
It’s a different practice environment than Muhammad remembers seeing when he came to UCLA on a recruiting visit last season.
“Last year, I remember watching them practice and they weren’t practicing hard and it wasn’t a good practice,” Muhammad said. “We’re getting after it this summer. Guys like Josh [Smith] don’t want to get embarrassed. It’s a whole culture change and I think that’s really going to change our team and make us a really good team.”
Getting there isn’t going to happen overnight. Anderson is unable to participate in live drills until Aug. 1 as he recovers from surgery to repair torn ligaments in his thumb. Muhammad sprained his ankle last week and was in a walking boot earlier this week -- a grim reminder that one wrong step could derail a lot of the hopes for this season’s team.
“We don’t really talk about turning the whole thing around in one day or one week or one summer,” Anderson said. “We have an entire roster of guys that want to bring it back to where it used to be and turn it around from that downward trend that people are saying UCLA is going, but we know that it’s going to be hard. If being good was easy, everybody would be good, so we know it’s going to be difficult and we’re looking forward to that challenge.”
Muhammad is also waiting to hear from the NCAA regarding his eligibility. The NCAA is investigating ties between his family and a pair of financial advisers, but Muhammad said he expected to be on the floor when the Bruins open a refurbished Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 9 against Indiana State.
“Right now, I think I’m eligible to play,” he said. “I’m in constant communication with [the NCAA] and it’s going good so far.”
Howland said he hasn’t heard anything either way.
“That’s an ongoing process,” Howland said. “It’s just a process that’s continuing, so I have no definitive answer on that.”
Howland says he plans on emphasizing the up-tempo game during these summer workouts. With the athleticism of Muhammad and Anderson along with speedy point guard Larry Drew -- a senior transfer from North Carolina who is the other new face for UCLA this season -- the team is well-suited to push the tempo.
And with good depth at every position for the first time in several seasons, Howland said he’ll be able to rotate guys in and out more often so speeding the tempo won’t cause too much fatigue.
“We’re really trying to speed up how fast we’re going to get the ball up the floor and take advantage of having good depth by playing faster,” Howland said. “Obviously, we want to build our defense from day one, but we want to get a lot better than we’ve been at pushing the ball the past couple of years.”
The arrival of a highly anticipated freshmen class has had the side effect of inspiring the returning players. Practices so far have been ultra-competitive with older players knowing they will have to step up their games to avoid losing playing time.
It’s a different practice environment than Muhammad remembers seeing when he came to UCLA on a recruiting visit last season.
“Last year, I remember watching them practice and they weren’t practicing hard and it wasn’t a good practice,” Muhammad said. “We’re getting after it this summer. Guys like Josh [Smith] don’t want to get embarrassed. It’s a whole culture change and I think that’s really going to change our team and make us a really good team.”
Getting there isn’t going to happen overnight. Anderson is unable to participate in live drills until Aug. 1 as he recovers from surgery to repair torn ligaments in his thumb. Muhammad sprained his ankle last week and was in a walking boot earlier this week -- a grim reminder that one wrong step could derail a lot of the hopes for this season’s team.
“We don’t really talk about turning the whole thing around in one day or one week or one summer,” Anderson said. “We have an entire roster of guys that want to bring it back to where it used to be and turn it around from that downward trend that people are saying UCLA is going, but we know that it’s going to be hard. If being good was easy, everybody would be good, so we know it’s going to be difficult and we’re looking forward to that challenge.”
Muhammad is also waiting to hear from the NCAA regarding his eligibility. The NCAA is investigating ties between his family and a pair of financial advisers, but Muhammad said he expected to be on the floor when the Bruins open a refurbished Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 9 against Indiana State.
“Right now, I think I’m eligible to play,” he said. “I’m in constant communication with [the NCAA] and it’s going good so far.”
Howland said he hasn’t heard anything either way.
“That’s an ongoing process,” Howland said. “It’s just a process that’s continuing, so I have no definitive answer on that.”
[+] Enlarge
J.Anthony Roberts/ESPNHS.comKyle Anderson, a 6-foot-9 point guard, says he knows turning around UCLA's recent downtrend will not be easy
J.Anthony Roberts/ESPNHS.comKyle Anderson, a 6-foot-9 point guard, says he knows turning around UCLA's recent downtrend will not be easy
Losing Muhammad for any period would deal a significant blow to UCLA’s designs on climbing back to the top. He is expected to be UCLA’s top scoring threat this season and he’s also a natural alpha dog who intends to step right into a leadership role on the team.
“I think last year this team didn’t really have a leader to uphold them throughout the game,” Muhammad said. “I’m just trying to get everybody in line. There are a whole bunch of pieces to this team, a whole bunch of All-Americans. A whole bunch of talent. So if we get a leader like myself, I think we can really go far in the tournament.”
Muhammad, self-confident and assured by high levels of success at every level so far, is not concerned about imposing that attitude as a freshman.
“I think they knew I was going to take that role when I came in, because of my aggressive demeanor,” he said. “I really appreciate them letting me take that role and I’m going to try and do a good job and lead the team every game.”
The goals for this season are very high: Anything less than an appearance in the Final Four would be a disappointment. Parker and Adams would like nothing more than to make the Final Four because it will be held in Atlanta next spring, near the hometowns of both players.
Anderson says he can’t see anything that would prevent such a run other than if the Bruins start looking ahead. Muhammad, already projected as a lottery pick in the 2013 NBA draft, said he would put his NBA career on hold if UCLA fails to reach the Final Four this season.
“Obviously, I’m looking forward to us doing really well in the tournament and then we’ll see what goes on from there,” he said. “I could see myself coming back if we don’t do a really good job in the tournament because that means I didn’t do what I was supposed to do coming here, and just leaving wouldn’t be right.”
Passing up millions of dollars if he doesn’t lead the team deep into the NCAA tournament?
Now that’s pressure.
“I think last year this team didn’t really have a leader to uphold them throughout the game,” Muhammad said. “I’m just trying to get everybody in line. There are a whole bunch of pieces to this team, a whole bunch of All-Americans. A whole bunch of talent. So if we get a leader like myself, I think we can really go far in the tournament.”
Muhammad, self-confident and assured by high levels of success at every level so far, is not concerned about imposing that attitude as a freshman.
“I think they knew I was going to take that role when I came in, because of my aggressive demeanor,” he said. “I really appreciate them letting me take that role and I’m going to try and do a good job and lead the team every game.”
The goals for this season are very high: Anything less than an appearance in the Final Four would be a disappointment. Parker and Adams would like nothing more than to make the Final Four because it will be held in Atlanta next spring, near the hometowns of both players.
Anderson says he can’t see anything that would prevent such a run other than if the Bruins start looking ahead. Muhammad, already projected as a lottery pick in the 2013 NBA draft, said he would put his NBA career on hold if UCLA fails to reach the Final Four this season.
“Obviously, I’m looking forward to us doing really well in the tournament and then we’ll see what goes on from there,” he said. “I could see myself coming back if we don’t do a really good job in the tournament because that means I didn’t do what I was supposed to do coming here, and just leaving wouldn’t be right.”
Passing up millions of dollars if he doesn’t lead the team deep into the NCAA tournament?
Now that’s pressure.
Pacers deal Collison, Jones to Mavs for Mahinmi
NBA.com
Posted Jul 12 2012 12:46PM - Updated Jul 12 2012 3:41PM
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indiana Pacers are sending point guard Darren Collison and wing player Dahntay Jones to the Dallas Mavericks for center Ian Mahinmi, according to the agent for one of the players.
Mark Bartelstein, who represents Jones, confirmed Thursday that the deal is in place.
"That's going to happen," Bartelstein said.
The Mavericks are adding 7-foot center Chris Kaman, a step forward for a team that failed to persuade guard Deron Williams to leave the Brooklyn Nets and play in his home town. Dallas is also losing guards Jason Kidd and Jason Terry in free agency.
Collison lost his starting job to George Hill late last season after starting 135 games for the Pacers in two seasons. He averaged 13.2 points and 5.1 assists two years ago and 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds this past season.
Jones, a defensive stopper, joined the Pacers for the 2009-10 season and started 31 games in three years. He averaged 5.3 points in 16.2 minutes per game last season.
Mahinmi, an athletic Frenchman, started 12 games for the Mavericks last season and averaged 5.8 points.
Jones was considered a key part of Indiana's rebuilding effort, but he couldn't get much playing time. Danny Granger was entrenched at small forward, then Paul George emerged as a budding star at shooting guard. Now, Lance Stephenson is playing well in summer league, and the Pacers picked up Orlando Johnson on draft night, leaving few minutes for Jones.
"I think there was a logjam at the wing spots," Bartelstein said. "He's a proven player in this league. He has the opportunity to go somewhere where he can get more playing time."
Jones sent out his thoughts in two tweets:
"Thanks Pacers fans for all the support over the past 3 years. I gave my heart and soul on the court and in the community," he wrote. "Indiana is definitely a place I will always remember. Happy to see my guys (at)StephensonLance and (at)King24George grow into great players &men."
Collison was considered a key building block for the Pacers when they picked him up in a trade, but he became expendable when the Pacers traded for Hill during the 2011 drafted. Collison kept his starting job for most of the season, but after a groin injury late last season, coach Frank Vogel moved him to a backup role for good. Hill started throughout Indiana's run into the second round of the playoffs.
Mahinmi will have a chance to back up Roy Hibbert, a restricted free agent who reportedly will re-sign with the Pacers. Indiana drafted Duke center Miles Plumlee in the first round last month, so Mahinmi's addition solidifies the position.
Mahinmi also sent out his thoughts on Twitter:
"Hey PacerNation I'm very excited to start a new journey with indy, looking forward to get to work!!! thanks for the warm welcome pacer fans!" he wrote.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
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