Jordan Brand All-Star Classic

By Tony Williams

April 20, 2008

NEW YORK – Brandon Jennings is always on a mission. Not just to show and prove that the Left Side is just as nice as the more publicized East Coast but also to put on a show for the paying public every time he makes his way out to New York.

And indeed it was Jennings who put on the best show, as he led his squad to a 124-114 win in the Brand Jordan All-Star Classic, Saturday, at Madison Square Garden.

"It is kind of a little bit of a rivalry – the East-West thing – when we play in these all-star games,” he said. “We wanted to show that the West Coast does have a little bit of talent,” he said with a wry smile.

Ironically, it initially didn’t seem like the sides were evenly matched, as Jennings’s opponents, the Jordan White Team, went up by as many as 20 points in the first half. Led by Louisville-bound Samardo Samuels’s 10 first half points, Team White stormed out to the early lead. Although Team Blue managed to cut the deficit to seven at the half, it was apparent early on that Samuels and his squad were very active. Perhaps he was personally fueled by the presence of consensus big man of the year, Greg Monroe, as it is Samuels who uses the Georgetown signee as his personal measuring stick. The two will no doubt have their chances to go head-to-head next year in the rugged BIG East. But although he won’t publicly say he’s gunning for Monroe’s number one spot, Samuels came out as if he did have something to prove.

“Greg is a good player and I’ll be seeing more of him at Georgetown,” Samuels said. “And it’s going to be competitive because we’re two good players but it was just fun to come here, run the floor, get some dunks, and play against the best of the ’08 Class.”

Samuels, who finished with 16 points and five rebounds, was more affected afterwards by the sting of the loss than any glee he might have in his slight stat sheet victory over Monroe, who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

“It wasn’t really a match up of me and him,” he said. “There was a lot of fast breaks and stuff, so it wasn’t much of that. But we’ll be seeing each other again soon.”

Even if Samuels didn’t see this as a vengeance game Jennings seemed to have taken the contest that way. He made it a point to anyone listening that the loss his squad suffered in the McDonald’s All-American Game would be avenged. And he didn’t disappoint, as he wowed the crowd early with numerous no-look passes, bounce passes through his own legs, and lobs in traffic. His main benefactor was Tennessee-bound Scotty Hopson. The 6’5 swingman was all over the court, catching deft passes in the corner for the three, or filling the lane on odd-man breaks and finishing like a “Scottie” of a different spelling. The Kentucky native finished with a team-high 21 points in the win. Jennings, for his part, could be seen mouthing, “he’s hot, he’s hot” after every assist that Hopson accrued for him and was openly looking to feed the hot hand.

Not to be outdone on the offensive end were the performances of Tyreke Evans and Devin Ebanks, who netted 23 and 20 points, respectively. Evans, who committed to Memphis earlier in the week, is perhaps the best pure scorer on the prep scene, as he wiggled, crossed, and slithered his way to numerous good looks. Ebanks was his usual efficient self, as he unloaded on Team Blue for 15 of his 20 in the second half.

All 15 were needed – but ultimately not enough – because that was when Team Blue managed to storm back and take its first lead at the 12:45 mark of the second half, including an electric play minutes later, which seemed to have sucked the life out of Team White. As the frantic pace slowly wore down Team White, Jennings picked up a loose ball at midcourt at the 10:23 mark and found Hopson streaking down the left wing with only Willie Warren in his way. Hopson, in one quick motion, caught the ball, gathered himself for a one-foot leap, and smashed on Warren’s head for the and-one to go up seven. Team White was never the same.

LAYUPS….

-     Team White Roster and stats: Al-Farouq Aminu, 13 points, 12 rebounds [6’8 Forward; Norcross (GA) High; committed to Wake Forest]; Ed Davis, 10 points, four rebounds [6’8 F; Benedictine (VA) High; University North Carolina]; Michael Dunigan, two points, two blocks [6’9 F; Farragut Career (IL) Academy; Oregon]; Devin Ebanks, 20 points [6’8 F; St. Thomas Moore (CT) School; undecided]; Tyreke Evans, 23 points, three steals [6’5 G; American Christian (PA) Academy; Memphis]; Samardo Samuels, 16 points, two steals [6’8 F; St. Benedict’s (NJ) Prep; Louisville]; Iman Shumpert, seven points, five rebounds, five assists [6’4 G; Oak Park & River Forest (IL) High; Georgia Tech]; Kemba Walker, 11 points, five rebounds, two steals [6’1 G; Rice (NY) High; University of Connecticut]; Willie Warren, four points [6’4 G; North Crowley (TX) High; Oklahoma]; Tony Woods, eight points, five rebounds, two blocks [6’11 F; Rome (GA) High; Wake Forest].  

-     Team Blue Roster and stats: William Buford, 13 points, two steals [6’4 Wing; Libbey (OH) High; Ohio State]; Demar DeRozan, 17 points, two steals [Compton (CA) High; University of Southern California]; Drew Gordon, four points [6’9 F; Archbishop Mitty (CA) High; University of California Los Angeles]; JaMychal Green, nine points, eight rebounds [6’8 F; St. Jude (AL) High; Alabama]; Jrue Holiday, five points [6’3 G; Campbell Hall (CA) High; UCLA]; Scotty Hopson, 21 points, two steals [6’5 W; University Heights (KY) High; Tennessee]; Brandon Jennings, 10 points, six rebounds, 14 assists, two steals [6’2 G; Oak Hill (VA) Academy; University of Arizona]; Malcolm Lee, seven points, four assists, two steals [6’4 G; North (CA) High; UCLA]; Greg Monroe, 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals [6’10 C; Helen Cox (LA) High; Georgetown]; B.J. Mullens, 12 points [7’0 C; Canal Winchester (OH) High; Ohio State]; Wesley Witherspoon, 13 points, three steals [Berkmar (GA) High; undecided].

-     Jennings and Evans earned MVP honors, although Evans, whose team fell short, accepted his trophy with all the glee of Eli Manning handled that San Diego Chargers jersey at the 2004 NFL Draft.

-     We know all-star games are all about getting up and down, so it was awkward to see both teams doing the Cha-Cha to the free throw line. The game was called tighter than Priscilla Pressley’s face, as 21 personal fouls were called on Team White and 24 on Team Blue. Team White went to the line 34 times, opposed to Team Blue’s 32. Swallow the whistle, future officiating staffs, please!

-     During a timeout at the 7:34 mark in the second half the crowd was treated to a ball-handling exhibition by someone called “Street Godz.” He was almost as interesting as the game itself, as he channeled his inner Harlem Globetrotter. Truth be told, as I glanced towards both teams’ sidelines, there were more guys paying attention to the show than to the coach’s strategies. Needless to say, the ensuing possession ended in a turnover. Focus, kids, focus!

-     Jennings, when asked who he likened his game to: “I’m like Kenny Anderson back in the 80’s.” Two things immediately jumped to mind when he said this: First, it’s ironic he likened his game to an East Coast baller despite the obvious chip he has about the whole East Coast bias. And second, with his 1980’s “Gumby” ‘do, it’s appropriate he mentioned an 80’s icon. Those of you that don’t know, Jennings’s flair on the court matches that off the court. He reminds me of a young Gilbert Arenas, aka Nutso I, in his sense of capturing an audience, his do-anything game, fashion sense, and engaging smile. What once started out as a simple ‘fro during Oak Hill’s season, evolved into a David Robinson 1987 flattop at the McD’s Game, and ended with his new look that’s reminiscent of 80’s rapper Kwame’s “Gumby” look, sans the polka dots. I’m dying to see what he pulls out the next time.

-     If he stays all four years at USC, DeRozan is going to win the NCAA Slam Dunk Contest. Book it! He’s been beating guys older than him in impromptu contests for years, so this poor man’s Vince Carter is going to explode on the scene next year. Trojans head coach Tim Floyd was wise to include DeRozan as a package deal with his buddy Percy Miller, aka, Lil’ Romeo, aka, Master P’s son. It’s the No Limit Soldier who’s kind of take in DeRozan, so it was only natural that Mr. Ughhhhhh’s son be included on DeRozan’s ticket.

-     Tyreke Evans most resembles Tracy McGrady. Not only does scoring seem to come easy to the future conglomerate known as Team Tyreke, but he has a certain “sleepiness” to his game that almost lulls defenders. He also hasn’t seen a shot he doesn’t like, so he’ll easily fit right into John Calipari’s get-and-down system. No Chris Douglas-Roberts or Derrick Rose, no problem. Memphis will be heard next year.

-     Also, UCLA is losing some “love” next year but they won’t fall off, either. Their incoming class which includes Gooden [a Duncan clone in game], Holiday [who’s explosiveness wasn’t on full display], and Lee [who does a little of everything], will make an immediate impact.

-     Don’t believe what Wesley Snipes’s Sidney character said to Woody Harrelson’s Billy Hoyle character because B.J. Mullens can jump! This seven-footer has Kevin Garnett/Dwight Howard hops and is able to touch the top of the square box above the rim. OSU is getting the goods.

-     Jennings may be the quickest point with the ball from Point A to Point B but Walker is right up there. He’s definitely worthy of his Rucker League-given nickname of EZ Pass.

-     Samuels on what it’s like being in Mike Jordan’s presence: “It was crazy seeing Mike. Man, he’s the best in the game. You read books about him. I’ve met him a couple of times [because] I’ve had the opportunity to play with his son [Jeffrey]. But I get a lot of stuff from family and friends who want to know all about Mike and I’m just like he’s Mike.”

-    Jennings jokingly on why Evans went to the line a game-high nine times: “The refs bailed him [Tyreke] out some. He was getting that East Coast love.”

-    Evans on why the solemn look when he was voted his team’s MVP: “I feel pretty good about the first one I won [at McDonald’s All-American Game]. But the second one isn’t as nice because I’m kinda mad we lost.”

-    Finally, when asked if he’s planning a little break anytime soon or if he already has a workout schedule planned for his upcoming freshman season at ‘Zona, Jennings said, “I’m starting right now.” Ballers, you’ve been warned!

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