Pelican Teammate Trash Talk: Anthony Davis vs. Jrue Holiday about NCAA basketball

University of Kentucky basketball alum Anthony Davis and UCLA basketball alum Jrue Holiday banter over who will win Friday's Sweet 16 matchup.

Jrue heeds his country's call

UCLA's Jrue Holiday Selected for 2013 USA Basketball Mini-Camp

Former UCLA guard to compete at mini-camp in Las Vegas from July 22-25

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Jrue Holiday

UCLAMBB website

June 13, 2013

Former UCLA guard Jrue Holiday, currently playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, is one of 27 NBA players who has accepted an invitation to attend the 2013 USA Basketball Men's National Team mini-camp in Las Vegas, Nev., from July 22-25.

Holiday, who starred at UCLA in 2008-09, started 78 games for Philadelphia last season and led the 76ers in minutes (37.5 mpg) and scored a career-best 17.2 ppg (No. 22 in the NBA). In addition, he led Philadelphia in assists with a career-best 8.0 apg (No. 4 in the NBA). He finished the year averaging 4.2 rebounds and 1.58 steals per game.

The USA squad is highlighted by 20 players with USA Basketball experience, including one 2012 Olympic gold medalist and each of the last three No. 1 NBA Draft selections.

Holiday played in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game and placed fifth in voting for the 2013 NBA Most Improved Player award. He has played his entire professional career with Philadelphia (2010-13). He is represented by Philadelphia native and UCLA basketball great Jerome "Pooh" Richardson, president of Rival Sports Group.

Last summer, Holiday was a member of the 2012 USA Basketball Select Team that trained against the U. S. Olympic team during its July 6-11 training camp in Las Vegas. The U.S. team, under the direction of Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski, won the Gold Medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. Members of that team included former UCLA players Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves).

Westbrook and Love are unable to participate in the upcoming July 22-25 mini-camp because both are nursing injuries suffered during the 2012-13 NBA season. Love had right hand and left knee surgery during the regular season and Westbrook suffered a right knee injury in the playoffs that required surgery.

As a high school senior in 2007-08 at Campbell Hall School in Studio City, Calif., Holiday was named the Gatorade Player of the Year and was a member of the USA Basketball Junior National Select Team that competed in the annual Nike Hoop Summit. In 2007, he participated in the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival.

As a true freshman at UCLA in 2008-09, Holiday started all 35 games at guard and averaged 27.1 minutes per game and finished second on the team in assists (3.7 apg) and steals (1.6 spg) and was the Bruins' fifth-leading scorer (8.5 ppg). UCLA went 26-9 that season, finishing second in the Pac-10 standings (13-5) and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Holiday was selected No. 17 overall by Philadelphia in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Assisting Krzyzewski at next month's mini-camp will be Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim, Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau and New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams.

The invited players will assemble in Las Vegas on July 21 and will conduct daily training sessions from July 22-24 and close out the mini-camp with the 2013 USA Basketball Showcase, a blue-white intra-squad game on Thursday, July 25 at 6 p.m. (PT) at the Thomas & Mack Arena on the campus of UNLV. All USA practices will take place at UNLV's Mendenhall Center and are closed to the general public.

Tickets for the 2013 USA Basketball Showcase on July 25 will go on sale June 13. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased by calling 702-739-FANS or at by visiting UNLVtickets.com.

Following the Las Vegas mini-camp, the next major competition for Team USA will be the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup (formerly the FIBA World Championships) from Aug. 30 through Sept. 14 in Spain. For additional information about USA Basketball and the 2013 USA Basketball mini-camp, please visit the official website of USA Basketball at usabasketball.com.

From UCLA to NBA, former Bruins appreciate Ben Howland's help

Thanks to bruintennis for posting this on BZ.

From UCLA to NBA, former Bruins appreciate Ben Howland's help

 

While Howland's current UCLA team has struggled, 11 of his former players began this season in the NBA. And some say the discipline, defense and fundamentals they learned in Westwood helped them get there.

By Diane Pucin
The Los Angeles Times
7:43 PM PST, January 17, 2012

Indiana Pacers point guard Darren Collison used a food analogy to describe his graceful jump from playing under UCLA Coach Ben Howland to his quick success in the pros.

"You need the vegetables from Coach Howland," Collison said. "[Then] dessert in the NBA is kind of your reward."

It has been a disappointing basketball season so far for the Bruins, who are in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Pac-12 after being picked to win the conference. And there is some restlessness among the UCLA fan base.

This season, Howland's ninth as UCLA coach, has been marked largely by a simmering feud between Howland and junior forward Reeves Nelson that led to Nelson's dismissal from the team in December.

After the Bruins made the Final Four three years in a row (2006-08) under Howland, UCLA missed the NCAA tournament two years ago. And with a 10-7 record, it seems likely that only winning the conference tournament and earning an automatic bid will get UCLA into the tournament this season.

Yet there were 15 Bruins on NBA rosters at the start of this season, and 11 of them spent at least a year playing for Howland.

And from NBA scouts, to some of Howland's former stars, there is a shared appreciation for how he tutored his players.

Arron Afflalo is one of Howland's great success stories.

After playing under Howland at UCLA, Afflalo was taken by Detroit with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2007 draft. After two seasons with the Pistons, Afflalo was acquired by the Denver Nuggets and became their starting shooting guard. Last December, after Nuggets Coach George Karl called Afflalo one of his favorite players ever, the Los Angeles native signed a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $43 million.

"I think most of the guys who play for Ben, for however long, come to the NBA understanding what it takes in terms of preparation and with a willingness to do whatever it takes to win," Afflalo said last week before his team beat Miami.

"It's just the discipline of the game, discipline and fundamentals. Most guys in the NBA are naturally talented, so then it becomes being able to do some of the fundamentals, and most Howland guys, we learned the fundamentals."

Forward Luc Mbah a Moute, who was a second-round pick of the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2008 draft when he left UCLA after his junior season (as Afflalo had done), signed a contract extension last month, reportedly for four years and $18.7 million.

"What I think I learned under Coach Howland that pays off at this level is just how to get yourself on the floor," Mbah a Moute said. "I think most Howland guys can play defense and we learn how to be tough guys. If you're tough, you can deal with coaches yelling.

"And one other thing, when I first got to college I thought, 'Gosh, we have so many plays.' We were expected to know every small detail of every play or we wouldn't play. When I got to the NBA, I couldn't believe how many guys can't remember the plays."

Phil Jabour, a former Houston Rockets scout, is now an independent scout for several professional leagues. He said Howland-coached players are notable for their total understanding of man-to-man defensive principles, and being fundamentally sound enough to earn floor minutes even as rookies.

"Often rookies, no matter how good, aren't asked to play a big offensive role," Jabour said. "UCLA guys come in and always seem to have the ability to set physical screens, hustle for loose balls and play defense. . . . You see it in guys like Afflalo and Mbah a Moute and Collison who spent three or four years with Ben or even with a guy like Jrue Holiday who only spent a year."

Holiday, taken by Philadelphia with the 17th pick in the 2009 draft, is starting at point guard for the 76ers, who are off to their best start in 12 seasons.

Kevin Love, who is in his fourth season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, spent one sometimes uncomfortable season at UCLA.

Love, a 2008 lottery pick (No. 5 overall) who was an NBA All-Star last season and is fifth in the league in scoring this season, never hid his desire to have the ball more often on offense at UCLA, and sometimes clashed with Howland's insistence to have his multitalented center pay attention all over the court. But Love said he now understands the lasting benefits of Howland's coaching.

"He drilled us so much," Love said. "Preparation first. Highlight the defensive end. Know the sets, just know them all. Your attention had to be very high or you would be left in the dust. That gets you ready for what's to come."

An assistant general manager of an NBA Western Conference team, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said he has scouted close to a dozen Howland-coached UCLA players and there is a commonality.

"There is a consistent mental discipline, a mental toughness, that you don't always find in other players," he said. "Players who come from UCLA have pretty well ironed out the problems and have acquired a type of toughness and an ability to pay attention to detail that is necessary to be a pro. Trust me. That is not always the case with kids who have spent one year or four years in college at other programs. . . . UCLA kids get groomed in a culture of discipline. Do they all like it? Probably not. Did it help them? Yes."

From the distance of four years in the NBA in Minnesota, Love was able to acknowledge his year at UCLA was not wasted.

"For me I think everybody knows I felt like I wanted to play differently offensively at UCLA, but you know, the grass isn't always greener. At the end of the day, I learned things from Coach Howland that I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Locked-out NBA players pick it up at UCLA

Thanks to bruintennis for posting this on Bruin Zone.

Former UCLA players Jordan Farmar of the Nets and Jrue Holiday of the 76ers are spending the NBA lockout in different ways: Farmar is playing in Israel while Holiday is staying closer to home and working out at UCLA. (Jeanna Duerscherl / Associated Press)



Locked-out NBA players pick it up at UCLA

Games at Student Activities Center have been a hot summer draw for decades, and labor uncertainty has expanded their importance. Jrue Holiday and Carmelo Anthony, among others, have taken part.


By Lisa Dillman
The Los Angeles Times
8:00 PM PDT, August 29, 2011



Found: Evidence that a current NBA player is not talking about packing away his talent and taking it overseas if the league-imposed lockout should continue.

Jrue Holiday, pioneer.

Kidding aside — yes, there have been others willing to wait it out and not add to their frequent flier accounts — Holiday said Monday at UCLA that he has no interest in going elsewhere.

"I don't want to go overseas," he said. "I'm not going anywhere. That's pretty much it. I'm more of a homebody."

The benefits of being close to home were front and center for Philadelphia's point guard. Holiday, who played for the Bruins, was getting ready to play in one of the intense games going on in the afternoon on the second floor of UCLA's Student Activities Center.

"Really just chilling and trying to communicate with my teammates and see where we are at," Holiday said. "Just because when, if, the league comes back, we want to start off on a good foot. I know a lot of the guys on the team are out here right now."

This slice of hoop heaven has been a hot summer draw for decades for NBAers wanting to keep an edge and dates back to the Magic Johnson era. The ongoing NBA labor uncertainty has only helped expand the power base in Westwood.

Last week, the likes of Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith and Russell Westbrook were at UCLA, and there were enough NBA players on hand to hold a players' association meeting, according to Adam Mills, the long-time organizer of these games.

On Monday, Mills was busy putting games together on the fly with the air of an affable maitre d', accommodating the request of the eight-player 76ers' contingent to play on the same team. ("Most of the contract guys are here," Holiday said.)

Timberwolves draft pick Derrick Williams was a late arrival, meaning that Mills was doing some last-second adjusting to the lineups. The Clippers' Eric Bledsoe was back at the UCLA games for the second time and said he planned on returning in the future. Bledsoe said he worked out a bit with Clippers teammate and rookie of the year Blake Griffin.

"A lot of ball handling," Bledsoe said. "It was good working with him. Keep the team chemistry going."

Big man Louis Amundson of the Warriors has been coming to the gym at UCLA for the last few years. He played in Phoenix for two seasons before signing with Golden State almost a year ago.

"It's good. Sometimes it's hit or miss," Amundson said. "You come on better days than others. But I think for something that is more or less unorganized — guys just kind of show up — it is a pretty decent run. I try to get up here every day or at least three times a week."

Like many of his colleagues, Amundson is pondering his future.

"I'm just going to hope for the best and weigh my options as we get a little bit closer to the season and see how it's looking," he said. "There's nothing you can really do. All you can do is sit back, hope it gets taken care of and be prepared because once they do come to an agreement, it's going to start real quick."

Holiday is living with his parents, and Amundson said he has been fiscally prudent. Then again, he was that way even before the lockout.

"I don't really live beyond my means — I don't have four or five cars," he said, chuckling. "I'm not too worried about it affecting me. But I've been saving my money, making sure I have cash in the bank before this thing started."

NBA Wednesday: Bruin sightings

Russell Westbrook 31 pts, 12 assists, 5 rbds for OKC, Jrue Holiday 17 pts, 11 assists for the 76ers. Thunder wins at home, 109-103.

You Tube video by KlezaTheRaptor


Kevin Love 8 pts 9 rbds for Minnesota to complement a monster night for Michael Beasley 42 pts (career high) 9 rbds 2 assists. T-wolves beat the Sacto Kings 98-89.

You Tube video by NewNBAVideoGames2nd


Other Bruins: Jordan Farmar 12 pts 6 assists 6 rbds for the NJ Nets, Ryan Hollins 11 pts for Cleveland, Nets beat the Cavs 95-87...Luc Richard Mbah a Moute 2 pts 1 blk 2 stls for the Bucks, Milwaukee beat Atlanta 108-91.

HOLIDAY, CELEBRATE!!!

When ipsedixit posted this video of Jrue Holiday on Bruin Zone (link) giving Knickerbocker Anthony Randolph a crackin facial, I had this sudden urge to check in on how Jrue is looking this pre-season.

Jrue is doing pretty good, thank you very much.

Looks like Philly 76er coach Doug Collins is going with Jrue as his starting point guard.

Great work, Jrue! Congrats on the contract extension, too. Best of luck this season.

Also on the 76er roster is former UCLA gunner Jason Kapono. Some hoopheads think Jason might crack Coach Collins' starting five. Good luck to you too, Jason!

I posted some recent stories on Jrue for your reading pleasure. Enjoy.

Here are some highlights from Jrue's rookie season c/o JerzyRUS on You Tube. With a cameo by Jason Kapono on the wire mike:


Thanks to ipsedixit for stirring the need to check up on Jrue.

To close shop here: Madonna goes phunkydelic (I think).


________


Jrue Holiday will make modest gains
By Josh Whitling
Special to ESPN.com
Archive
October 13, 2010, 11:49 AM

How much improvement can be expected from 20-year-old point guard Jrue Holiday?

It's rare that a point guard with one year of college experience starts, and is effective, in the NBA, but Jrue Holiday did just that last season, seizing the Philadelphia 76ers' starting job in March and putting up fantastic averages: 11.9 points, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.2 3-pointers and 49.0 percent shooting from the floor after the All-Star break. By season's end, he was an unquestioned fantasy starter, even though he was the youngest player in the league. He enters the upcoming season with high expectations placed upon him, as he's been clearly dubbed the Sixers' point guard of the present and future. It's impossible to read a fantasy article without the word "sleeper" attached to his name, but is he ready to break out this season? Can he even match his post-All-Star numbers from last season with roster uncertainty on the Sixers and a target on his back now that he's no longer an unknown? Is he enough of a pure point guard to facilitate this muddled offense?

He's gotten off to a bumpy start this preseason, averaging 9.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 3-pointers in four contests, and he admits it. According to Libertyballers.com, Holiday said, "I am not playing well. I'm thinking too much and I just need to play. … I am just trying to do too much and I need to settle down and play." The early rebound and steals totals are promising, but his ability to accrue consistent assists and 3s will heavily dictate Holiday's value because he's still learning his role and how to capitalize on his talent.

Jrue Holiday has plenty of room for growth, but how quickly he grows is the key to his fantasy value.Holiday hasn't put up monster stats since high school, although he often played out of position at UCLA, where he averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 73 percent from the stripe. He struggled with his outside shot, which is suspect because of an inconsistent release. He's not bursting with athleticism and demonstrated questionable decision-making skills at times, seeming to be stuck between facilitator and scorer. But that decision making should improve. The same terms have consistently been used to describe him: great potential, hard-working, high character, obsessed with winning. The stats at the end of last season weren't imaginary, although this will be a learning season with a strange roster. By all accounts he's extremely poised. He has an excellent work ethic and is a great competitor. Even though he'll have some adjustments to make and bumps in the road, those character traits should allow him to respond and focus on the aspects of his game that best lend themselves to what the team needs. And the team needs someone to distribute the ball and balance the half-court offense. Holiday needs to work on running a team and honing his outside shot to become a consistent weapon. If those areas are improved on, Holiday's prospects are promising.

The Sixers have some lineup issues because head coach Doug Collins is trying to figure out how to get Andre Iguodala, Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young on the court at the same time without sacrificing the half-court game. Even though Collins has praised Holiday by stating he'll be among the top five point guards in the league, he identifies Holiday's early struggles this preseason, saying that Holiday is putting too much pressure on himself.

Holiday enters the season as ESPN's 21st-ranked point guard, between Brandon Jennings and Tony Parker, although he's a popular sleeper who will finish much higher than that, if he can improve on his late-season heroics. He's long, lanky and crafty off the dribble, but there will be some growing pains. Temper your enthusiasm about his assists, as he's never been dominant in that area, but the steals are legit, his 3s should improve and he's a solid rebounder at 6-foot-3. He actually has the ability to block a few shots, and I could see him swatting a sneaky 0.4 per game.

His ESPN projections seem accurate. I don't expect a dominant sophomore campaign, but he has definitely cemented himself as a solid fantasy player. Look for Holiday to average around 12 points, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and a 3-pointer, while shooting about 43-45 percent from the floor with solid boards and blocks for a point guard. Improvement on his post-All-Star numbers might be too much to expect, buthe should be able to come relatively close to matching them, making him a viable option. Don't expect a huge breakout, but don't expect a bust. He's got the tools and is locked into a role that will allow him to be a solid fantasy option for years to come.

Josh Whitling is a fantasy basketball analyst for ESPN.com.
________

Collins continues juggling act with Sixers
By BOB COONEY
Philadelphia Daily News
Posted on Mon, Oct. 18, 2010


Another 76ers practice at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, another juggling of players. New coach Doug Collins is like a mixologist, trying to find what concoctions best suit his taste.

Yesterday's first team consisted of Jrue Holiday, Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand and Craig Brackins, with Jodie Meeks and Jason Kapono sharing a spot.

At the end-of-practice scrimmage, that group looked very good on offense, in both getting the ball to the basket and finding outside shooters for open jumpers.

"I'm just continuing to mix and match a little bit," Collins said. "It's hard for me right now because Mo Speights didn't practice with his sore hamstring and Spencer [Hawes, bad back] is getting better, but he didn't practice. Jodie was in there subbing with 'Kap' because I'm trying to have a shooter in there with that group. I'm just sort of seeing how that goes. Again, our guys played hard today, they had a lot of energy and that's very, very encouraging. Their effort has been fantastic."

But effort alone won't be enough. Collins has been hindered with injuries and, quite frankly, players who haven't performed to his expectations. So until all that comes together, each practice session turns into a let's-try-this-lineup.

As good as the first unit looked offensively at the end of practice, you had to wonder how it would defend against an opponent not wearing the same emblem on the front of the jersey.

"You might have to give up something to get something that you need," Collins said. "One thing we can't do is we can't go through stretches of 6 or 7 minutes where we can't score because we're not that good defensively that we're going to shut a team down. And any time we've had problems in exhibitions it's because we've had dead 6- or 8-minute periods of time. We're not going to be able to score enough points to have a dead 6 or 8 or 10 minutes. We have to figure out if the one unit that is going to start the game gives me a certain thing and the one that's coming in [is going to give another]. The bench has been really good. So I'm still trying to figure that out."

Lou Williams, the Sixers' best player during the exhibition season while coming off the bench, understands that nothing is set when it comes to when players are on the court and how many minutes they play.

"It's not a thing about starting games," Williams said. "I'm more concerned about being able to finish. I want to be one of those guys he can rely on in the fourth quarter. Maybe it's a matchup thing. Maybe we want to start bigger and finish a little quicker. I'm all for it. I'm a team guy. I'm not really worried about the individual stuff."

It's a puzzle Collins is still trying to figure out.
_________

Sixers starting lineup may be taking shape
by Derek Bodner on Oct 21, 2010 1:59 PM PDT in Recaps
Liberty Ballers, SB Nation


Philadelphia 76ers' Jason Kapono reacts after making a three-point basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, in Philadelphia. Atlanta won 100-86. Kapono may have moved his way into the starting lineup when the 2010-11 regular season starts next Wednesday.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

With a mere week remaining until the regular season kicks off, the Sixers starting lineup is starting to take form. Jrue Holiday, Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand appear to be locks in the starting lineup, and the remaining two positions may finally be coming into focus.

Last night, in the last preseason tune-up before games start counting, Jason Kapono and Tony Battie both made their cases to round out the final two spots, at least until Spencer Hawes is able to return from his lower back strain. The starting lineup was +7 during its stint to start the first quarter and +14 during the first 8 minutes of the third quarter.

Even with the disclaimer that the Knicks were resting some of their best players -- Danilo Gallinari was out with a sprained wrist and Amar'e Stoudemire and Wilson Chandler did not play due to coaches decision -- the domination was impressive. Perhaps more impressive was the cohesiveness the starting unit played with.

"I think the more and more that we play together the more we understand what guys like to do and where [they like to be]," Jason Kapono said after the game. "Hopefully our chemistry will keep getting better and we can keep on playing as well as we did tonight."

The starting lineup has been changed frequently during the preseason, as Doug Collins and his staff tinker with combinations to find ones that work. The preseason started off with Iguodala and Thaddeus Young on the wings, eventually switching to Turner and Iguodala when Hawes went down with his injury and Young moved over to play power forward.

After trying that lineup out for three games, it appears another switch was made. Kapono has joined Iguodala on the wing the past two games to end the season, and it appears that duo might stay together, at least for now.

"Starting [last] Friday we started working with the group of Jrue [Holiday], Kapono, Iguodala, Elton Brand and a big," associate head coach Michael Curry said, still filling in for Doug Collins as he gets treated for symptoms related to a concussion. "Preferably, that big is going to be Spencer when he's healthy."

Despite working with the starting lineup for the last week, Kapono's not acting as if his starting spot is a sure thing. "I'm not [sure I'll be starting next week]. I'm not really too concerned about that. I'm just glad that I'm playing."

Uncertainty with his role isn't exactly something new for Kapono, who has started 85 of his 458 career NBA games. "I put forth all the effort and work, and I try not to let that bother me," Kapono said. "I've been through this throughout my career. I've been in a suit, I've been a starter, I've been 1 through 15 [on the roster]. I definitely have the experience of knowing how to stay ready."

More importantly, it seemed to Kapono, was staying in the regular rotation. "I played the first 20-25 games [last year]. It was the middle of year [when he fell out of the rotation]. Once the snow fell, that wasn't my time to play I guess. I'm a California boy so maybe [coach Jordan] wanted to wait until it was sunny outside," Kapono quipped. "I'm hoping coach Collins doesn't want that and I can play through the winter months."

For a team that invested the number two pick in the draft for a wing in Evan Turner, the team is hoping he and Iguodala can mend their games to play well together. Right now, it's hard to deny that Kapono's shooting helps open things up for Iguodala and Holiday.

"Obviously, [Iguodala and I] have a different skill set, but it's complementary," Kapono said. "You've got to try to find guys that play well together. Guys that can complement each other, that can play together and that bring out their strengths. I think that's what you have in [Andre and I]."

The starting lineup may not be finalized, but it appears to be taking shape. The last remaining question may be what big replaces injured Spencer Hawes until he returns.

Collins return

It's sounding as if the team is expecting Collins to return back within the next few days. Collins is still making his presence felt, even if he's not physically with the team.

"Everything we did out there today, it was all scripted by him. He talked about the sets that he wanted to run, and put guys in position to be successful, and we just followed suite," Curry said.

"There were certain ways he wanted us to guard the pick and rolls, dribble hand-offs, stuff like that," Kapono said about instruction from Collins used in last night's game. "Obviously he's feeling pretty well [considering] that he's sending text messages and [making] phone calls."

Jrue breaking out of his slump.

After comitting 15 turnovers to only 7 assists during the first three games of the preseason, while averaging only 8.3 points per game on 29% shooting during that span, Jrue Holiday found his groove. The 20 year old point guard averaged 13.3 points on 59.3% from the field over his final three starts, while dishing out 10 assists per game to only 2.67 turnovers.

"I feel a lot better. [I] definitely had to figure things out, the players I was playing with, just really feel around it," Holiday said after the game "The coaches, they had my back."

Holiday and Snow after the game

Practically every television set in the Wells Fargo Center last night was tuned into the Phillies game, even in the players locker room. By the time interviews had finished and players started making their way out, seemingly everyone -- from media, to Sixers employees, to the players themselves -- had turned their attention to the Phillies. After virtually everybody had left to watch the Phillies or go about their day, Jrue Holiday and Sixers new color commentator Eric Snow remained in the Sixers locker room talking basketball. Snow may not have an official role in the Holiday's development, but it has become obvious he isn't going to shy away from trying to impose some of his experience on the young pupil, either.

Turner deferring to a fault

Turner made some nice moves with the ball last night, at least more than you would expect from a player who attempted only 1 field goal and no free throws in over 19 minutes of game time. Turner was a slow starter his freshman year at Ohio State, and you hope as he gets more acclimated to his role and to his teammates that he asserts himself more. That being said, it could be argued that the rookie has been too deferential during the preseason.
_________

Collins returns; Sixers extend contracts for Holiday, Speights
By BOB COONEY
Philadelphia Daily News
Posted on Fri, Oct. 22, 2010


It was a busy day for the 76ers, even though they had a day off before they begin preparing for Wednesday's season opener at home against the vaunted Miami Heat.

The team exercised its options yesterday on point guard Jrue Holiday for his third year, and on forward/center Marreese Speights for his fourth year. Both players are now signed through next season.

Also, the team trimmed its roster to 14, releasing point guard Chris Quinn and forward Trent Plaisted. Quinn, who has 4 years of NBA experience, was brought into camp late and was hurt by the fact that Holiday, Evan Turner and Lou Williams are all capable of running the point. Also, with injuries to big men Spencer Hawes (back), Tony Battie (knee) and Speights (hamstring), the team needed to keep as many big men as possible.

Plaisted is being pursued by a Turkish team and could wind up playing there.

In other news, coach Doug Collins, who missed the last two preseason games with symptoms caused by a Memorial Day concussion, pronounced himself well and fit to return to the team. He flew home from Cincinnati before the team's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday and also missed Wednesday's home game with the Knicks. Collins is now being treated for vertigo.

"I'm feeling great with medicine and treatments," he said via a text message. "Ready to roll."

The team will resume practice today at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Former UCLA stars ready to shine

Thanks to BruinADub for posting on Bruin Zone.

Former UCLA stars ready to shine

By John McMullen, NBA Editor
HoopsWorld
September 7, 2010

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Labor Day has passed, the kids are back in
school and the leaves will soon begin to fall here in the northeast.

That means the calendar has flipped to September and most of America is gearing
up for football and postseason baseball.

Here on the basketball beat, we are still seven weeks away from the NBA season
and still firmly focused on the FIBA World Championships in Turkey. Personnel
moves have slowed to a trickle and while there are a few key contributors left
on the open market, most of the NBA's general managers have built the
foundation for their respective teams and mapped out a strategy for the 2010-11
season.

Typically, contenders try to tweak a few things here and there, while the
pretenders cry "salary cap constraints," and make plans to take a few steps
backwards in hopes of landing the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, a prize
that figures to be either North Carolina's Harrison Smith or Baylor's Perry
Jones next summer.

This year, however, things have been a bit different. With their eyes on the
prize and the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, Pat Riley and the Miami Heat
completely revamped their club, pulling off one of the biggest coup's in NBA
history by luring LeBron James and Chris Bosh to South Beach to play alongside
Dwayne Wade.

Meanwhile, the two-time defending champs went the more traditional route,
convincing Phil Jackson to stay on as head coach and tweaking a veteran-laden
roster by adding defensive-minded role players like Matt Barnes and Theo
Ratliff.

Players like James, Bosh, Wade and Kobe Bryant are constants, however. You
know they are going to be good -- real good. By and large, you even know what
veteran complementary pieces like Barnes and Ratliff are going to offer.

The fun stuff starts with young players poised for vast improvement. In fact,
every year a group of players really elevates their games. Some are surprises
and some are expected to reach that next level.

Here's one man's view of the five players that are ready to take the next
step in 2010-11:

1. - Kevin Love - power forward - Minnesota Timberwolves - I've always
"Love'd" Kevin's game dating back to his days at UCLA. With Al Jefferson being
shipped out to Salt Lake City, Love will get every opportunity to be the focal
point of Kurt Rambis' interior group. Love hasn't garnered a ton of minutes
for Team USA over in Istanbul but he makes the most out of every single second
Mike Krzyzewski gives him and has outplayed the team's other big men -- Lamar
Odom and Tyson Chandler. Love has a top-tier basketball IQ, is a plus rebounder
and plays defense with the kind of effort coaches crave. Offensively, he's
deadly with the medium-range stuff and can stretch out to 20-feet or so. Health
is the only concern when talking about Love. He missed the first 18 games last
season with a broken hand.

2. - Jrue Holiday - point guard - Philadelphia 76ers - The book on Holiday
before the 2009 draft was the cliched "raw with the huge upside." Normally, I
shrug off talk like that since it's become commonplace among NBA personnel
people. But one longtime scout who I respect assured me Holiday would be the
best point guard from that '09 draft in five years, a bold statement
considering Tyreke Evans, Ricky Rubio, Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, Brandon
Jennings, Ty Lawson and Darren Collison also went in Holiday's class. When the
Sixers turned the keys over to Holiday last season, you could see exactly what
all the fuss was about. A true quarterback that thinks pass first, Holiday is
already one of the top 10 defensive point guards in the league. Experience
should turn the former UCLA guard into an All-NBA defender and a more
consistent jumper could turn him into an All-Star.

3. - Blake Griffin - power forward - Los Angeles Clippers - Griffin, of
course, missed his entire rookie season after suffering a stress fracture in
his left knee. You always have to be concerned with leg injuries when you are
talking about bigs and the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Griffin plays with the sort of
recklessness that will put enormous stress on his body. That said, a stress
fracture isn't going to affect Griffin's rare work ethic and outstanding
athleticism. He lacks polish on the low post and isn't the can't-miss franchise
guy like a James or Dwight Howard, but Griffin should team with Chris Kaman and
rookie Al-Farouq Aminu to give new Clips coach Vinny Del Negro an imposing
frontcourt.

4. - Rodrigue Beaubois - swing guard - Dallas Mavericks - The Mavs need to get
younger and Beaubois flashed some serious athletic skills during limited
playing time in his rookie season. Jason Kidd and Jason Terry aren't exactly
ready to step aside but Beaubois offers a change of pace that could be a shock
to the system of the opposition if he plays with consistent effort.

5. - Darren Collison - point guard - Indiana Pacers - Collison, another former
UCLA star, was really good while filling in for the injured Chris Paul during
his rookie year in the Big Easy. However, with Paul entrenched for now in New
Orleans, the Hornets dealt Collison to Indiana where the second-year player now
has an opportunity to grow with one of the game's best young scorers, Danny
Granger. Collison probably doesn't have the size or strength to hold-up on the
defensive end on a consistent basis but he's already proven he has the ability
to run a team and get his own shot.

09/07 15:08:11 ET

The 1st Jrue Holiday Summer Basketball Camp at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, CA

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday talks to children during his basketball... (Hans Gutknecht)

Former UCLA standout Holiday finds himself a happy camper
By Vincent Bonsignore, Staff Writer
dailybreeze.com
Posted: 07/22/2010 11:43:42 PM PDT


Jrue Holiday looked very much at home this week as he stood outside the basketball gym at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch.

This makes sense, considering the Philadelphia 76ers guard has been a member of Shepherd of the Hills for as long as he can remember.

"I grew up in this church," Holiday said.

Inside the gym, the sound of youngsters dribbling basketballs and shooting hoops clearly could be heard, and if there was any confusion what they were there for and who they were waiting on, the image of Holiday emanating from a huge screen on one side of the gym cleared it all up.

The first Jrue Holiday summer basketball camp was underway, and in a few minutes a bunch of wide-eyed kids would hang on every Holiday word, his every movement, as the former Campbell Hall High and UCLA standout taught them the finer points of basketball.

"That's a pretty cool feeling," Holiday said. "To see their faces light up, to see how happy they are running around and having fun is pretty awesome. For me it's just one of the great joys in the world."

The kids were having a blast, but it's doubtful they were enjoying the moment more than Holiday.

This was Holiday giving back to a church and community that helped rear him, the ones that watched proudly as he led Campbell Hall to three state titles before accepting a scholarship to play at UCLA, and the ones that helped him get through a sometimes-trying rookie season with the 76ers last year.

Just as important, this was Holiday remembering what it was like to be a kid, laying awake at night thinking about meeting one of his heroes the next day.

"Because I was that little kid," Holiday said, smiling. "I was the kid who wanted to go to Kobe Bryant's camp or LeBron James' camp. I know what that feeling is, so to be able to provide a place where kids can come and see me, where they can hang out and meet me and learn a little bit about basketball isn't just pretty cool, it's actually a dream come true."

These are good times for Holiday, fresh off a solid showing in the Orlando Summer League and just a few months away from beginning his second year in the NBA.

As trying and frustrating as his first year was - he was the youngest player in the league, he didn't play much early in the season, the team was losing and he was 3,000 miles away from home - his sophomore season is shaping up to be a coming-out party for the former first-round pick.

Holiday averaged 19.6 points per game in three games in Orlando, earned first-team All-Summer Team honors and flashed the all-around skills that prompted the 76ers to select him 17th overall last year.

In doing so, he made an immediate impression on new 76ers coach Doug Collins, who couldn't hide his excitement over Holiday after getting his first up-close look at him this summer.

"Jrue is so good, he is so good," Collins said. "This is a point-guard-driven league and when you get a young kid like that, that has that kind of confidence, and he has a real great demeanor about himself."

Collins was especially impressed with Holiday's interaction with teammates and the way he explained his decision-making process with them. On several instances Holiday would pull a player aside and outline why he didn't make a certain pass to them or why he felt a play wasn't there.

Little things like that - in addition to the obvious skills - convinced Collins his young point guard has a bright future.

"He could be really special," Collins said.

Holiday's impressive summer was night and day compared to his rookie season, one he spent observing more than playing under then-Philadelphia coach Eddie Jordan.

It was a frustrating experience, a young player not used to sitting and watching, especially when the team was struggling and he felt there were things he could do to help.

It was just part of the experience of transitioning from college to the NBA, however, an adjustment more dramatic in Holiday's case after spending just one season at UCLA.

Holiday's freshman year with the Bruins was spent at shooting guard rather than the point, with UCLA preferring senior Darren Collison to run the offense.

It was supposed to be just a one-year deal, with Holiday assuming point guard duties as a sophomore. That plan was abandoned when Holiday surprised people by declaring for the NBA Draft.

He arrived in Philadelphia as a 19-year-old with just one season of college basketball under his belt, then spent the first half of the season fighting for an opportunity to start. It was a trying time, but he got through it with the help of his family and the Bible.

"My faith became a source of strength for me," Holiday said. "I read my Bible, I talked quite a bit to my mom and she'd send me Scriptures. That was extremely helpful in getting me through last season."

Holiday averaged 8.0 points, 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals, but his numbers spiked after the All-Star break when his minutes increased from 18 to 32 per game - he went from 5.4 points per game to 11.9 points and 5.5 assists.

"The more playing time I got, the more comfortable and confident I got," Holiday said. "More importantly, I felt my teammates got more comfortable with me."

Still, it was a difficult situation.

"Being on the East Coast, a place I'd never been, and basically being alone for the first time in my life while traveling every other day, that is an adjustment you can't really prepare for," Holiday said. "It's just something you have to experience."

Holiday is glad he went through it, and feels he's better off after surviving it.

The focus now is on the future. Holiday is prepared to be a focal point for the 76ers this year, operating in Collins' up-tempo offense.

"There are a lot of positives going on right now and I can't wait to get started," he said.

Bruin sighting in the NBA: Holiday, Kapono turn in stellar games in 76ers win over Hawks

Former Bruin "one-and-done" Jrue Holiday 2009 had 13 pts, 12 assists (2 turnovers, 6/2 a/t ratio), and 7 steals for the night.

Fellow Bruin alum Jason Kapono 2000-03 also started alongside Holiday for the 76ers, scoring 14 pts to go with 5 rbds and 3 steals.

76ers beat the Hawks, 105-98.



Hawks grounded in loss to Sixers
By Andy Jasner, for NBA.com
Posted Friday March 26, 2010 11:21PM

PHILADELPHIA (NBA.com exclusive) -- Since a season-best five-game winning streak between Jan. 31-Feb. 9, which included road wins at New Orleans and Houston, the Philadelphia 76ers haven't been able to put together a mere two-game streak.

Until Friday.

Following up on a road win at Milwaukee on Wednesday, the Sixers came home and picked up a well-deserved 105-98 victory over the Atlanta Hawks before 13,293 fans at the Wachovia Center.

The fans were treated to quite a performance by the Sixers.

Andre Iguodala turned in a stellar all-around game with 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 39 minutes. Rookie point guard Jrue Holiday, the youngest player in the NBA, added 13 points and career-highs of 12 assists and seven steals.

The last Philadelphia player to finish with seven steals was Chris Webber against New York on April 2, 2006.

"Jrue was better than good," Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said.

Holiday earned his second double-double this season, but his first with points and assists.

"I'm learning to be consistent," Holiday said. "I'm learning how every game is different and to go with whatever the flow is in that game."

The Sixers began the game with Marreese Speights at center in place of Samuel Dalembert because he was late getting to the arena. Dalembert checked in with 2:37 left in the first quarter and wound up with 14 points and seven rebounds.

"That's all there is to it," Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said. "We are fine."

So was Iguodala, who nearly picked up his fifth career triple-double.

Despite playing with plantar fasciitis, Iguodala was on the court for most of the game. And he was solid in every aspect.

"In the second half, the pain just went away," said Iguodala, who was 9-for-12 from the field. "In the first half, it was bothering me a little bit. In the second half, you just have to go out there and play. If you have to sit out, you sit out. I try not to let it stand up in my mind."

For the Hawks, this had to be a tough loss to stomach. With their loss and Orlando's win over Minnesota, they fell 4 ½ games behind the Magic in the Southeast Division.

Joe Johnson and Josh Smith scored 20 points each, but the Hawks weren't able to withstand a late push by the Sixers. A win would have equaled last season's total of 47, but it will have to wait.

"We haven't had many games like this one, but we are playing for something," Atlanta coach Mike Woodson said. "I am trying to tell the team and push these guys to understand that you have to beat teams you're supposed to beat. There are no gimme games. I don't care where you play, when you play on the road, it is tough to win. We just showed up like we were just going to win and it didn't happen."

Johnson was even more critical of his team's effort.

"Our mindset was back in Atlanta," Johnson said. "We just thought we were going to show up and beat a team that was struggling. It doesn't work like that. We have to regroup and get ready for Sunday's game against Indiana. I am very disappointed in the way we played."

Conversely, the Sixers were elated after shooting 50 percent and out-rebounding the Hawks 40-39.

"This is not a fluke," said Sixers forward Elton Brand, who had 14 points. "I look at these rosters of these teams and I know that we can compete and beat these teams home and away."

Fab(ricated) five?

Photo credit (could someone educate me?)

Thanks to Puffdaddy for posting this story on Bruin Zone.

UCLA's 2008 recruiting class hasn't lived up to hype

Jrue Holiday left after one year, and those left behind have done little to help in a bad season in Westwood.

By Chris Foster
The Los Angeles Times
February 27, 2010

J'mison Morgan trudged on, without going anywhere.

This was game day, hours before UCLA was to play Washington. Morgan, a sophomore center and part of the nation's best recruiting class two years ago, according to Scout.com, was in a hotel fitness center, grinding away on the treadmill.

"I need this," Morgan said, as he pushed his 6-foot-10, 240-pound body.

The moment seemed symbolic for a UCLA season where the wheels have been spinning, yet with little progress. On that day the Bruins suffered a 29-point loss to the Huskies.

After five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, three Final Fours and three Pacific 10 Conference championships, the Bruins have hit the skids. UCLA, 13-14 overall, is tied for third in the Pacific 10 Conference heading into Saturday's game against Oregon, and something is amiss around Pauley Pavilion.

UCLA Coach Ben Howland said he's had tough seasons before and that this one "is typical of the first year of the three jobs I have had. That's what this feels like." Yet this his sixth year in Westwood and the Bruins are struggling to avoid having their third losing season since 1947-48.

No one saw this season coming at UCLA. Their 2008 recruiting class was expected to prevent such things. Jrue Holiday, Drew Gordon, Malcolm Lee, Jerime Anderson and Morgan were pre-approved for greatness before they hit campus.


Photo credit: UCLA Magazine Jan 2009

Holiday left for the NBA after one season. Gordon transferred to New Mexico in December when he and Howland had irreconcilable differences. Lee is playing out of position at point guard. Anderson has been slowed by injuries. Morgan showed up out of shape and remains an enigma.

"I think they are a victim of their own success," said former St. John's coach Fran Fraschilla, now an ESPN analyst. "They had a great run of players. They went four for four on guards, three of them left early. . . . They have guys in the rotation now that are at best role players on a great team, with [Kevin] Love, [Russell] Westbrook and Holiday. Throw in a little bad luck, some injuries, and this is a skeleton team compared to what they have been."

The difference is noticeable.

"Ben's teams were always physical," California Coach Mike Montgomery said. "On ball screens, you had to prepare for a mugging."

Now, the Bruins play zone and too often are the ones getting rolled. Howland has suffered the worst losses of his UCLA coaching career this season, a 27-point rout by Portland in December and the debacle in Seattle last week.

But whether that responsibility falls on his sophomores, Howland would say only, "I'm not going to disparage players here publicly." Still, a few weeks earlier, he teetered on an admonishment, saying, "We hoped we would be further ahead than we are right now."

Those in the sophomore class certainly expected more.

"When the five of us were here, we were pretty close," Morgan said. "We always figured, 'OK, we got to stick together.' " Morgan was the cherry on top of that recruiting class. But he showed up in Westwood hardly ready to play. "Just running up and down the court was an issue for him," Howland said.

As to whether Morgan will develop into a dominant player, Howland said last month that, "based on what he has done right now, that would be hard to say."

It is not Howland's only problem.

Holiday, the No. 1 point guard coming out of North Hollywood Campbell Hall, had a short shelf life at UCLA and is playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. Anderson, ranked the No. 7 point guard nationally by Scout.com, was brought in from Anaheim Canyon as the safety net. But groin injuries have hampered Anderson's development. He played only nine minutes during a three-week stretch in January.

Lee, the fifth-ranked shooting guard nationally while at Riverside North according to Scout.com, was moved to point guard. He is averaging 12 points and three assists while learning on the job.

"I get a chance to work with these kids at camps during the summer [and Anderson and Lee] were not on the same level as the [UCLA] guys who left," Fraschilla said. "Just being a McDonald's All American doesn't make you an impact basketball player."

Howland appears to have acknowledged that, at least at point guard. The Bruins are bringing in Lazeric Jones, a point guard from Logan Community College in Illinois. UCLA hasn't had a community college transfer play significant minutes since Jack Haley in 1986-87.

Jones, is part of the new recruiting class, along with high school players, center Josh Smith and shooting guard Tyler Lamb, who Howland hopes will help put the Bruins back in the game next season.

"There is no doubt that Ben is one of the best coaches in college basketball, but even [North Carolina's] Roy Williams and [Connecticut's] Jim Calhoun can get caught in these situations," Fraschilla said.

"Those programs can still recruit elite players. They just need to evaluate the type of players to get them back quickly."

Howland, it appears, has already evaluated what he has. "Usually you have a feel for what a kid's abilities are by the end of their sophomore year," he said.