Post by hoyaboy1 on Oct 28, 2006 23:44:21 GMT -5
Yea, I went to the Senior game and half of the junior game.
Team Maryland won the Senior game, 131-117 (approximately). Wright was the MVP, putting up 35. He hit 4-5 threes, and got a ton of points by driving hard to the hole. His shot selection was questionable at times, but it was an All-Star game, so I'll let that go - but I can see where people get their complaints about him not being a "real PG." Again, this wasn't a regular game, so take of this what you will - but Wright was certainly looking for his own shot most of the time. He also had a tendency to ignore big men on the break and finish himself.
However, to focus more on the positive, he has a ton of offensive ability. He started off 1/4 in his first 5 minute shift, inluding a missed 25 ft 3. In his 2nd 5 minute shift of the first half he was far more effective, nailing two consectutive threes and consistently getting by his man and finishing at the hole. He had 15 at the half.
In the 2nd half the shift system was abandoned, and Wright played the majority of the time. He had one particularly nasty play, where he strung together 3-4 hard crossovers and then nailed a tough 3. He also showed a variety of very strong moves to the hole, and finished consistently. At times he showed a tendency to overdrive along the baseline, which led to some turnovers. He also took some questionable shots, as I said, but he was the best player on the court today and I can't blame him too much in this setting. I can't really comment on his D, since nobody was trying too hard on that end except for steals and blocks. He did have a few boards and nice assists, but again, he and most everyone else were mainly worried about getting their own buckets.
Austin, as you may have guessed by now, was not there. Dontae Green was (top 10 player headed to Cuse), and he played fairly well. He showed very nice athleticism, and a good J for a guy his size. Also seemed friendly with Wright, at one point pushing Chris and Isaiah Tate away to try to shoot a technical (Tate ended up winning out). Too bad Dontae and Wright will be enemies from now on.
On the Philly side, nobody stood out too much. Josh Martin won the MVP, but I'm not sure he is any better than an A-10 level guard. The Morris twins were less than stellar. Markieff, the lower ranked one, mostly played in the post and did little of note. Marcus played a lot on the outside, and while he showed a good handle and decent looking J for a guy his size (6'9", 225ish), he probably would be better served playing more in the post. I hesitate to base much on one exhibition game, but I wasn't impressed today. If these guys really are a package, we probably wouldn't take them anyway.
I thought the 30 minutes that it took to finish the last 6 minutes of the Senior game due to constant fouling would be the lowlight of the day - but I was horribly and tragically wrong. The Junior game (8 minute quarters rather than 20 minute halves like the Senior game) looked more like pinball than basketball. There were probably 5-6 times where the ball changed posession 3 or more times in less than 10 seconds, and at least 10 open layups were missed. I decided to end my misery and left at the end of the first half, which was tied at 31.
I'll get Braswell out of the way quickly, because he had a rough day (to be kind). I had him at around 1/10 in the first half, and 2/4 from the line. He missed a variety of layups and other shots in the post, as well as 2 Js. I've seen him play before, and this certainly was not his usual performance. He did rebound well, at least.
Clark looked good. Skinny to be sure, and he'll need to bulk up. But he showed good handles and quickness, nailing a 3 and finishing on a very nice drive. Including 2 FTs, he finished with 7 in the half. Clark didn't seem to have the all around offensive game that Wright does at this point, but he seems to have a solid handle and shot and to be pretty quick. Just that should be enough to make him a useful player.
I'll be happy to try to answer any questions people might have, but I doubt I'll be able to point out much on anyone besides Clark and Braswell from the slopfest Junior game. 2 quick notes though - Mosley showed up late, and didn't get in while I was there. Garvey Young made 2 quick shots, then missed about 5. Nobody else on either side really stood out.
Team Maryland won the Senior game, 131-117 (approximately). Wright was the MVP, putting up 35. He hit 4-5 threes, and got a ton of points by driving hard to the hole. His shot selection was questionable at times, but it was an All-Star game, so I'll let that go - but I can see where people get their complaints about him not being a "real PG." Again, this wasn't a regular game, so take of this what you will - but Wright was certainly looking for his own shot most of the time. He also had a tendency to ignore big men on the break and finish himself.
However, to focus more on the positive, he has a ton of offensive ability. He started off 1/4 in his first 5 minute shift, inluding a missed 25 ft 3. In his 2nd 5 minute shift of the first half he was far more effective, nailing two consectutive threes and consistently getting by his man and finishing at the hole. He had 15 at the half.
In the 2nd half the shift system was abandoned, and Wright played the majority of the time. He had one particularly nasty play, where he strung together 3-4 hard crossovers and then nailed a tough 3. He also showed a variety of very strong moves to the hole, and finished consistently. At times he showed a tendency to overdrive along the baseline, which led to some turnovers. He also took some questionable shots, as I said, but he was the best player on the court today and I can't blame him too much in this setting. I can't really comment on his D, since nobody was trying too hard on that end except for steals and blocks. He did have a few boards and nice assists, but again, he and most everyone else were mainly worried about getting their own buckets.
Austin, as you may have guessed by now, was not there. Dontae Green was (top 10 player headed to Cuse), and he played fairly well. He showed very nice athleticism, and a good J for a guy his size. Also seemed friendly with Wright, at one point pushing Chris and Isaiah Tate away to try to shoot a technical (Tate ended up winning out). Too bad Dontae and Wright will be enemies from now on.
On the Philly side, nobody stood out too much. Josh Martin won the MVP, but I'm not sure he is any better than an A-10 level guard. The Morris twins were less than stellar. Markieff, the lower ranked one, mostly played in the post and did little of note. Marcus played a lot on the outside, and while he showed a good handle and decent looking J for a guy his size (6'9", 225ish), he probably would be better served playing more in the post. I hesitate to base much on one exhibition game, but I wasn't impressed today. If these guys really are a package, we probably wouldn't take them anyway.
I thought the 30 minutes that it took to finish the last 6 minutes of the Senior game due to constant fouling would be the lowlight of the day - but I was horribly and tragically wrong. The Junior game (8 minute quarters rather than 20 minute halves like the Senior game) looked more like pinball than basketball. There were probably 5-6 times where the ball changed posession 3 or more times in less than 10 seconds, and at least 10 open layups were missed. I decided to end my misery and left at the end of the first half, which was tied at 31.
I'll get Braswell out of the way quickly, because he had a rough day (to be kind). I had him at around 1/10 in the first half, and 2/4 from the line. He missed a variety of layups and other shots in the post, as well as 2 Js. I've seen him play before, and this certainly was not his usual performance. He did rebound well, at least.
Clark looked good. Skinny to be sure, and he'll need to bulk up. But he showed good handles and quickness, nailing a 3 and finishing on a very nice drive. Including 2 FTs, he finished with 7 in the half. Clark didn't seem to have the all around offensive game that Wright does at this point, but he seems to have a solid handle and shot and to be pretty quick. Just that should be enough to make him a useful player.
I'll be happy to try to answer any questions people might have, but I doubt I'll be able to point out much on anyone besides Clark and Braswell from the slopfest Junior game. 2 quick notes though - Mosley showed up late, and didn't get in while I was there. Garvey Young made 2 quick shots, then missed about 5. Nobody else on either side really stood out.