10 Feet High

For whatever reason, I woke up today with a peculiar desire to watch old basketball videos on YouTube. You know what I mean right? Like all of a sudden - and you don't know why - you just have to watch sick hoop clips? Well, in my deranged state of mind full of oddities, here is what stood out.



My Memory:

Stanford was undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country. Arizona was still Arizona, and these two fought back and forth all game long. One of my best friends was a freshman at U of A, so I kind of adopted the Wildcats as a semi-favorite team capable of winning another title. A few years later, a friend of mine whom I later met, informed me he was at the game as a student of Stanford, sitting three or four rows behind Tiger Woods, who infamously stormed the court along with the rest of Cardinal nation. All of these elements combine to make this one I'll never forget.

USC comeback:



My Memory:

I couldn't have been more than 13 or 14, but I remember seeing these highlights on SportsCenter in my room, absolutely shellshocked. I know this because I specifically recall holding off on my Sega Dreamcast "Madden 2K" exploits for at least 15 minutes, which is something to be said at that stage of my life (later that year I actually held a birthday party in which I hosted a 12-man 2K tournament in my basement, complete with brackets and seeding. How in the hell we determined seeding for such a thing boggles me to this day). Needless to say, I didn't make it past the second round, not because of "stick skills," but rather because of sleep deprivation. Hey, 3 a.m. for a 14-year-old is pretty damn late! By the way, how about the announcer's call? "Oh, ohhh, ohhhhhh, a miracle!" Great stuff. Also, how badly were you hoping the camera would break to show that kid's cutthroat sign to the Ducks student section?

Kentucky dunk:



My Memory:

There is none. I wasn't alive yet, but when I came across this dunk, I had to share it with you. Also, and I hesitate to say this, but how talented was Dick Vitale's call? "Secretariat out of the gate!" Love that.

Okay, all for now, but more coming soon. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. If not, then you're simply not as much a junkie loser as I am. Probably not a bad thing.

In the day and age of early college exits and unrealized potential, Stanley Robinson is a revelation. When Robinson came to Jim Calhoun as a talented, albeit very green freshman, he was strictly an athlete. Four years later, he is a basketball player.

Robinson is the unquestioned leader of an improving UConn team that without him is nowhere near the NCAA Tournament bubble it currently sits on. Against second-ranked Syracuse recently, he showed why.

In a hellish game of the utmost importance for the Huskies, Robinson came out of the gate in a frenzy, dominating much of the first half with his aggressive takes to the basket and violent dunks. While his teammates seemed sluggish and unable to match the Cuse's intensity early on, Robinson’s strong will and intensity set the tone. Despite the tough loss, he made a case for the nation’s premier senior, and helped solidify his first-round draft status come June.

At 6-9, hovering around 220 pounds, Robinson is an excellent leaper, has a terrific first step, and is a very willing rebounder. An explosive driver who finishes above the rim, he has also developed a consistent mid-range game, seemingly comfortable out to 16 feet.

Not unlike his Big East counterpart Wesley Johnson, Robinson is a versatile player capable of defending multiple positions, offensively skilled enough to play both the three and the four. Some scouts say he’s somewhat of a tweener – which is the ultimate NBA no-no, at least in terms of draft stock. Guys that don’t really have a true position have a way of plummeting down the charts. Just ask DeJuan Blair. We’ve seen successful college players struggle as pros because of this, but then again, in today’s NBA game, there is a place for tweeners.

Players like Paul Millsap are in a perfect spot when they are on teams surrounded by scorers like Mehmet Okur, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer because the Millsaps of the world take care of the intangibles - cleaning up the glass, hustle plays, helping maximize their abilities.

The bottom line is that there are more tweeners like this in the game today than there were 20 years ago – especially in the 6-6 to 6-9 range. Back then, you had a more traditional 3-5 line-up (think Boston Celtics with Bird, McHale and Parish). Case in point: what position does Josh Smith really play? Is he a three or a four? Is Stephen Curry really a point guard? Or is he a combo guy? There is a certain amount of juggling around versatile players today that didn't used to happen.

The aspect to consider with a player like Robinson is that the tweener status he has been deemed as can actually be a good thing. So he’s not your conventional small forward. That’s okay. He’s such a high-level athlete that he will disrupt scorers and create problems for defenses. He used four years of college to strengthen his body, so even though he’s not a bulky post defender, he is very capable to guarding guys on the block, as well as finish through contact.

Because he is an explosive athlete, Robinson is a high-ceiling, high-upside type of player. He is a senior, yes, but still just 21, there is plenty of room for growth. If he can extend his range out to the three and improve his handle, he will be a solid NBA player. Robinson reminds me a bit of Gerald Henderson, the Charlotte forward and rookie out of Duke. Although he doesn’t have quite the same feel and natural instincts, Robinson is the type of talent akin to Henderson that could have a similar impact contributing in all facets of the game.

The lack of a pure basketball feel is my largest concern with him. Against the aggressive, trap-oriented press defense of Villanova recently, Robinson was a turnover machine, hesitant to dribble and errant on his passes. It culminated midway through the second half when he literally walked with the basketball after looking extremely uncomfortable with the ball in his hands. All in all, Robinson finished the game with 7 turnovers to go along with his 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 assists.

This is the type of impact he can have, both negatively and positively. He has the talent to contribute immediately, but at what price? And is this is a kid who lacks the innate basketball feel necessary to fully develop and maximize his raw talents?

Despite his struggles, Robinson gives you more good than bad. He is a high energy kid who rebounds the ball (7.5 per game) and defend (more than 1 block per game and 1 steal).

He must work on his line-drive shot to become a more consistent outside shooter, but even so, he connects on over 36 percent of his threes. And because he attacks the rim so well, many of his field goal attempts are close to the basket, hence his staggeringly high 51 percent shooting percentage.

He is a rangy athlete with excellent length and decent enough quickness to guard smaller players. The emotional issues evident last season are apparently solved, as Calhoun has said this is one of his favorite kids he’s ever coached.

I don’t think he belongs in the lottery, but he should go in the late teens, as an immediate impact guy, who will never blossom into elite status, but will contribute at both ends of the floor and help you win ball games. If I had to give him a grade, right now it’d be a “C+,” with the potential to one day become a “B.” Robinson won’t be an All-Star, but neither will most of this draft class, so getting him in the 15-20 area could be a steal.

Throwback jerseys have become an institution in themselves. Kids walking down the street wearing an old Magic or Jordan jersey is more than just clothing; it's a fashion statement. Whether you rep your team or favorite player it doesn't matter. But how about some of the players who never made it to the show, but who were great collegians? Or how about guys we identify only with one team, but for a brief moment in their careers, they actually were on another? Everyone thinks Kobe has been a Laker his whole career. Not true. Interested? Keep reading and find out why. This is part one (of three) of the best basketball jerseys never commercially made. Enjoy...

Dajuan Wagner jersey – His NBA career was a bust, but the kid scored 100 points in one high school game.

Acie Law IV (Texas A&M) – I loved Law at A&M. So smooth with the ball, and how cool does Law IV sound?

Stephen Curry (Davidson) – Other than Ray Allen, is there a nicer shooting stroke out there? Curry has gone from virtual unknown to lottery pick - plus I here he’s a scratch golfer as well.

Seth Curry (Liberty) – This jersey could be even better than older bro Steph. After lighting up the Big South Conference, Seth then transferred to Duke. He doesn’t yet have the size or handle as Stephon, but as he develops in the ACC (he won’t be eligible to play until 2010-2011 season), the Liberty Flames jersey may be worth having.

Michael Olowokandi (Pacific) – “The Kandy Man” goes down as one of the worst #1 picks in NBA history, but his Pacific Tigers jersey would draw some serious “What the” looks.

Kenny Lofton (Arizona) – Loften was one of those rare guys on the other team who you’d actually say during a baseball game, “man I love that guy.” For those who don’t know, he was also quite a player at POINT GUARD U in Tucson.

Len Bias (Maryland) – Bias is as sad a story as you’ll ever hear, but before he passed, the #2 pick of the Celtics may have been the greatest player ever to come out of College Park.

Felipe Lopez (St. John’s) – Was a high school superstar who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the top freshmen in the country, Lopez was supposed to be the original LeBron when he entered St. John’s. He never lived up to the bill – although he did have a cup of coffee in the league – but this would be a very cool jersey to have.

Jesus Shuttlesworth (Lincoln High) – Is there a better movie ever made than “He Got Game?” Okay, maybe that was taking it too far, but the Jesus Shuttelsworth mantra will forever live on. This jersey would be in my top 3. Go Rail-Splitters.

Kyle Lee Watson (Georgetown) – “Above the Rim” was another terrific basketball flick, and “Mr. What kinda country ass name is that” Kyle Lee Watson had as pure a handle as you’ll find for an actor. Side Note: Saw this dude at a wedding recently. Apparently he’s a sports agent now…

Jimmy Chitwood (Hickory High) – Run the picket fence baby! Side Note: I may be insane, but I’m convinced that if I played basketball in the 1950s, I would - at the bare minimum - make an NBA roster.

Shawn Kemp (Trinity Junior College) – Kemp was part of the hybrid in the early to mid 1990s that helped change the culture of the power forward in the NBA. Something tells me there aren’t too many Trinity JC jerseys out there.

Shawn Kemp (Kentucky) – Kemp actually signed a letter of intent to play in Lexington, but never even played a game.

Jason Williams (Florida) – “The Thrilla ‘n Vanilla” was a white point guard with the handle of a Brooklyn street legend. As a freshman at Florida, “White Chocolate” was sensational.

Rafer Alston (Fresno St.)– “Skip to my Lou” is just cool.

Ron Artest (St John's) – I’ve always appreciated the talent of Artest – lock up “D” and an underrated scorer. He's become one of the best two-way players in the league - a true street fighter. If only these talents could translate to his rap game.

Bill Bradley (Princeton) – The Rhodes Scholar led Princeton – yes Princeton – to a number three national ranking while scoring 58 points in the consolation game of the tournament.

Leandro Barbosa (Palmeiras-Brazil) – “The Brazilian Blur’s” Brazilian club team jersey is sure to get major props.

Shaq aka Neon Budeax (“Blue Chips”) – Most underrated movie of all time. “This class is culturally biased!”

Penny Hardaway aka Butch McRae (“Blue Chips”) – Do you realize how good Penny Hardaway was before he got hurt? Put it this way – the guy was a 6-7 point guard who made four All-Star games by the age of 27!

Penny Hardaway (Memphis State) – “Say hello to my man Kevin Garnett. Tell him little Penny from the science club says hello.”

Barack Obama (Punahou High) – Imagine knowing then what we know now.

Sarah Palin (Wasilla High) - Won a state championship as a guard.

Monta Ellis (Lanier High School) – Any guy that averages 45 points per game deserves to be on my back.

Kevin Durant (Texas) – Just love watching him score the basketball. Side Note: Apparently during conditioning tests before the draft, KD couldn't even lift 185 lbs. once! I feel better about myself.

Michael Beasley (K-State) – How corrupt is Bobby Huggins? To ink Beasley, “Huggy Bear” hired his AAU coach, only he got fired once Beasley declared. Nevertheless, Beasley had one of the greatest freshman campaigns of all time.

Chris Paul (West Forsyth High) – During his senior year, Paul’s grandfather passed away at the age of 63. That night, Paul had scored 61 points when he went to the free-throw line. He purposely shot an air-ball, and checked himself out of the game with tears in his eyes.

Eddie House (Arizona State) – Guess who holds the all-time Pac 10 single game scoring record? Kareem? Nope. Gary Payton? Guess again. Reggie Miller? Wrong. How about Eddie House?!!! House dropped 61 on Cal.

David Robinson (Navy) – “The Admiral” led Navy to the Elite 8. That alone is enough to purchase his Midshipmen jersey.

Bryce Drew (Valpo) – His miracle shot to lead Valpo over Ole Miss in the 1998 NCAA Tourney will never be forgotten.

Kyle Korver (Creighton) – I just love un-athletic guys who can shoot the lights out.

Kevin Martin (Coastal Carolina) – I can’t stand his game, but Martin has developed into one of the best scorers in the NBA, and nobody else in American owns a Coastal Carolina jersey.

Adam Morrison (Gonzaga) – His atrocious mustache in college is reason enough.

JJ Redick (Duke) – Just because I hate him.

Jameer Nelson (St. Joes) – I want this jersey to remind me of Phil Martelli’s bald head.

Tony Parker (Paris Basket Racing) – Parker first signed with them when he was 17, and I guarantee you no one has that jersey. Parker has said that he used to sneak into a small room at night and watch the NBA Playoffs as a kid. Now he sneaks in to the bedroom and watches Eva Longoria to make “sexy time.” “Niccceeee.”

Rodney Stuckey (Eastern Washington) – You gotta love the small school guys. Despite growing up just outside of Seattle, Stuckey wasn’t even recruited by Washington. The former Big Sky Player of the Year’s college jersey is worth owning. Extra bonus: I've been saying he'd be a good pro since high school.