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Philadelphia Inquirer: NBA takes notice as high school stars strut their stuff
Several players in last night's McDonald's game were auditioning for the pros. Some aren't ready.
By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY - It is now known as the biggest high-school dress rehearsal for NBA scouts. A place where both substance and style are important. The participants know they are part of a nationally televised audition.
The innocence of high school sports has long left the McDonald's All-American Game, especially with the steady stream of players making the direct leap to the NBA.
Last night's game at the Ford Center was reputed to have a deep crop of players contemplating immediate NBA careers.
The East dominated the West for most of the game, but that really didn't matter. How the players looked in front of evaluators such as Miami Heat president Pat Riley was more important. The final score was not available at press time.
In a game with 10 players standing 6-foot-9 or bigger, the event didn't lack size. It has been reported that as many as 10 players from the game could apply for the NBA draft, which is about nine more than are ready to step in the league and immediately contribute.
While a few days of practice and a game televised by ESPN aren't a definite barometer of one's ability, the only player who looks like he might have a shot to be an immediate NBA contributor is 6-foot Sebastian Telfair of New York City.
All week Telfair has possessed an exceptional grasp of the game and extraordinary passing ability.
He showed that last night with six first-half assists. Telfair knows how to work the pick-and-roll, a staple in the NBA. Still, he has major questions in his game.
What was most impressive is that Telfair was pitted against 6-foot-7 point guard Shaun Livingston, a Duke recruit who is also reportedly considering the NBA. Telfair, despite giving away seven inches, outplayed Livingston, who went scoreless in the first half.
While Telfair is expected to apply for the draft, others who may not be ready will surely follow. Dwight Howard, the 6-10 Atlanta product whom many consider to be the top player in the draft, had a good game.
Howard's favorite shot is the dunk, a shot he'll discover that all 6-10 players can execute in the NBA. Many pencil him to be a future star, but he still seems awkward with post moves and it will take time.
The crowd favorite was the West's Glen Davis, who is listed at 6-8 and 325 pounds, but looks a few Big Macs heavier.
A Louisiana product who is headed to LSU, Davis showed quick feet for somebody his size. One time he went diving on the floor for a loose ball and the officials were seen looking for cracks.
The East's J.R. Smith, the former Lakewood product who spent his last two years at St. Benedict's in Newark, N.J., showed impressive long-range shooting and dunking. He has committed to North Carolina, but staying in the theme of this senior class, said the NBA is an option.
Others will surely declare that they are ready, and maybe some NBA teams will take them, but last night and the entire week showed that many of these players would likely be drafted on potential more than production.
While the players can't wait to begin pro careers, prospective NBA teams will have to exercise patience with last night's assembled talent.
Several players in last night's McDonald's game were auditioning for the pros. Some aren't ready.
By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY - It is now known as the biggest high-school dress rehearsal for NBA scouts. A place where both substance and style are important. The participants know they are part of a nationally televised audition.
The innocence of high school sports has long left the McDonald's All-American Game, especially with the steady stream of players making the direct leap to the NBA.
Last night's game at the Ford Center was reputed to have a deep crop of players contemplating immediate NBA careers.
The East dominated the West for most of the game, but that really didn't matter. How the players looked in front of evaluators such as Miami Heat president Pat Riley was more important. The final score was not available at press time.
In a game with 10 players standing 6-foot-9 or bigger, the event didn't lack size. It has been reported that as many as 10 players from the game could apply for the NBA draft, which is about nine more than are ready to step in the league and immediately contribute.
While a few days of practice and a game televised by ESPN aren't a definite barometer of one's ability, the only player who looks like he might have a shot to be an immediate NBA contributor is 6-foot Sebastian Telfair of New York City.
All week Telfair has possessed an exceptional grasp of the game and extraordinary passing ability.
He showed that last night with six first-half assists. Telfair knows how to work the pick-and-roll, a staple in the NBA. Still, he has major questions in his game.
What was most impressive is that Telfair was pitted against 6-foot-7 point guard Shaun Livingston, a Duke recruit who is also reportedly considering the NBA. Telfair, despite giving away seven inches, outplayed Livingston, who went scoreless in the first half.
While Telfair is expected to apply for the draft, others who may not be ready will surely follow. Dwight Howard, the 6-10 Atlanta product whom many consider to be the top player in the draft, had a good game.
Howard's favorite shot is the dunk, a shot he'll discover that all 6-10 players can execute in the NBA. Many pencil him to be a future star, but he still seems awkward with post moves and it will take time.
The crowd favorite was the West's Glen Davis, who is listed at 6-8 and 325 pounds, but looks a few Big Macs heavier.
A Louisiana product who is headed to LSU, Davis showed quick feet for somebody his size. One time he went diving on the floor for a loose ball and the officials were seen looking for cracks.
The East's J.R. Smith, the former Lakewood product who spent his last two years at St. Benedict's in Newark, N.J., showed impressive long-range shooting and dunking. He has committed to North Carolina, but staying in the theme of this senior class, said the NBA is an option.
Others will surely declare that they are ready, and maybe some NBA teams will take them, but last night and the entire week showed that many of these players would likely be drafted on potential more than production.
While the players can't wait to begin pro careers, prospective NBA teams will have to exercise patience with last night's assembled talent.
