Sunday, April 17, 2005

Hoops: Jordan Classic

If you got ESPNU, then you saw the Jordan Classic. If you don't, you can catch the tape-delay on ESPN2 today at 4:00pm......


First, the important stuff. Lewis Clinch finished 13 points (4-7, 3-4 from 3pt range). He had a nice, understated game. I will watch it later today, but here's what "Billy", one of our readers, had to say:

Clinch played very well. He had about 13 points, and showed a very nice stroke from 3 and the FT line. He also had a nice dunk. I was VERY happy with what I saw from him, as I had never seen him play before. Bilas had wonderful things to say about him.


Clinch seemed a lot more agile, and had a much quicker release than Elder. Elder likely had a better post game, but Clinch seems like more of an athletic 2 guard. If you remember, Elder really struggled this season, so that's why I'm looking forward to Clinch.


Jay Bilas raved about Clinch during the game, mentioning how he watched him practice and how he could be a bigtime scorer for Georgia Tech next season.


The "stars" were out in MSG, including Spike Lee, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Doug "E" Fresh, Styles P, NBA players Vince Carter and Jamal Crawford, NFL WR Terrell Owens, and of course Michael Jordan himself. In addition there were other MJ Classic alum, including Rudy Gay, Rashad McCants, Justin Gray, Chris Paul and Jarrett Jack.


That's right Jarrett Jack, who was reportedly sitting next to Vince Carter and McCants. Could he possibly pick two bigger head cases? If I were you, I wouldn't read too much into it. We can still expect Jack to declare, not sign with an agent, then decide by early June if he's coming back. Hey, for all we know, he was checking out his future teammate Clinch (wishful thinking). For what it's worth, Bilas said Jack was gone.


In true media-hype fashion, all the media stories focused on the potential NBA kids, and not one article I could find, including from our local outlets, even mentioned Clinch in their write-up. I don't know what it is - Clinch was the only top 50 player last summer not to get invited to a shoe camp. Well, just more motivation for Lewis to show people what they missed.


JORDAN CLASSIC SHOWCASES TALENT


MARTELL WEBSTER POURS IN 22 POINTS
With abbreviated box score.


BLATCHE SHARPENS SKILLS FOR NBA
By the way, this was Blatche's 3rd all-star event, so college eligibility is shot..... This article says he will not sign with an agent, so some confusion here.


STORY ON THE UNDERCARD MATCHUP


NOT A CLASSIC ENDING...
... for Keith Brumbaugh


PUTTING HIGH SCHOOL TALENT ON DISPLAY


WILLIAMS STARS, EXPECTS TO GO PRO


A FITTING END TO STORIED CAREERS


WILLIAMS SHOOTS FOR GRAND FINALE
Great coverage from the AJC for Williams / Mercer, but nada for Clinch.