McDonald's Game Notes: Kevin Durant Is Freaking Good

by awiggo on Mar 29, 2006 11:42 PM CST in Basketball Comment 22 comments

I just finished watching the McDonald's All American game from San Diego. The West squad, consisting of both Longhorn recruits, took control early in the second half and ran away with the victory 112-94. Some quick thoughts:

*Kevin Durant looked great. He needs 20 lbs of muscle but could start for Texas now at shooting guard or small forward. At 6'10" he has guard skills and an exceptional outside jump shot. I don't know for sure, but Durant should have been named MVP. He finished with at least 25 points.

*Ohio State will be excellent next year. They won the Big 10 and were a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament this season. They will be even better with the additions of three McD's AA including national high school player of the year, Greg Oden. Oden is already a man, just like Lebron James was in high school. He is the guy who you whisper about in high school. "How old is that guy?" He is only 18 but will terrorize Big 10 opponents for at least the next season before heading to the NBA.

*Duke and North Carolina both have strong recruiting classes. Gerald Henderson (Duke) is the long athletic guard the Blue Devils have been missing for years. Carolina overachieved this season and adds three McD AA next season including point guard Tywon Lawson and shooting guard Wayne Ellington. Expect both to start quickly. Carolina also welcomed the news that national freshman of the year Tyler Hansbrough will return to Chapel Hill for his sophomore season.

*Darrell Arthur (undecided) is the real deal. If he goes to Kansas, look out. Along with fellow AA Sherron Collins and returning starters Julian Wright, Brandon Rush, and Mario Chalmers, they should dominate Big 12 North opponents and challenge the Horns for the conference title. I still think Arthur becomes a Longhorn is Lamarcus Aldridge turns pro.

*Even in an all star game DJ Augustin (Texas) was throwing passes his teammates couldn't handle. He doesn't have the same quickness with the ball as TJ did but he's close. AJ Abrams will start at point next season but will have that job challenged by Augustin. Abrams is a better shooter. Augustin is a better passer.

*Connecticut doesn't have a single McDonald's All American and may lose most of their current team (Josh Boone, Hilton Armstrong, Rudy Gay, Denham Brown, and Marcus Williams).

*Watch for news reports on Scottie Reynolds (Oklahoma) over the next few months. With the Sooners about to go on NCAA probation and Coach Kelvin Samson skipping town, it will be interesting to see if Reynolds and the rest of the Sooners' stellar recruiting class all show up on campus. The recruits would not be allowed to go elsewhere unless OU first released them from their signed letter of intent.

*Baylor has a McDonald's All American. 5'11" Demond Carter will join the Bears next season. Carter played well in the game and will be expected to contribute quickly. With Aaron Bruce and Curtis Jerrells returning, Baylor will have one of the top backcourts in the conference. They also get to play non conference games next season. Baylor should finish in the middle of the pack next season.

*The game ended with a spectacular dunk by 5'11" Sherron Collins (Kansas). Collins threw the ball off the backboard too himself (ala Tracy McGrady) and finished with a one handed slam with his left hand. A trailing Kevin Durant was also available, but Collins took it himself.

*Teams in the pre season top 5: Ohio State, North Carolina, Texas, Kansas, and Duke.

Update [2006-3-30 10:39:30 by awiggo]:: I probably overstated the importance of UConn not having recruited a player from this year's game. Rivals has their class listed as the third best in the country. Jim Calhoun is brining in six players led by five star recruit Stanley Robinson from Alabama. UConn also adds my new favorite player, Doug Wiggins, a point guard from Connecticut.

--AW--

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Two things

When you do the ball off the backboard dunk, does it count as second-chance points?

Also, those kids going to Norman are likely stuck there. Rarely has a university released them from their obligation due to a coach leaving, sans sitting out a year. It's one of the more unfortunate scenarios that the NCAA has not deemed worthy of addressing.

by Lincoln on Mar 30, 2006 12:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

What about Chase

You mentioned a bunch of dudes, but forgot one of the sickest players at the camp, Chase Buddinger. That guy is gonna be a damn good player in a few years under the instruction of old Lute.

by joey on Mar 30, 2006 12:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Reynolds

Reynolds said he's sticking at Oklahoma for now, but Sampson was his reason for going there, so he's definitely worth watching.

by tk on Mar 30, 2006 9:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Reynolds

Reynolds is the name of the kid going to OU, not Williams

by tk on Mar 30, 2006 9:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Correction made.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 30, 2006 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Who was the white dude that almost won the dunk?

I forgot his name, but he's got skillz.

by krazieman on Mar 30, 2006 9:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Chase Budinger

He completed two sick dunks in the dunk contest but lost in the finals. He is a volleyball stud with a vertical to match. He played a solid game and was named co-MVP with Durant. Unfortunately, for anybody living east of Arizona they won't see him much. He will attend AZ in the fall. The Pac 10 still does not have a TV agreement with ESPN. Pac 10 games will continue to be played only on Fox Sports and start around midnight for east coast viewers. Great player, probably won't remember his name until tourney time.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 30, 2006 9:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

9:30

Is a 9:30pm start really that late for watching games in the Central Time Zone? The games would be over before midnight (around the same time as MNF). It's one thing to not watch because you don't care about the teams, but it's another to say that it is too late. There are plenty of NBA games that start at that time too. Weekday Pac-10 games are almost always on Thursdays, and the Saturday games are generally during the day.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.

by uclawarren on Mar 30, 2006 12:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Too Late

I live in Texas but for anyone on the east coast where a lot of America actually lives, 10:30 or 11 to start a two or two and a half hour game is too late. People watch the networks and ESPN. People don't watch Fox. Their announcers suck. Their coverage sucks. The Pac 10 doesn't suck but doesn't get the exposure it needs to be recognized by viewers in the central or eastern time zone. We can argue this for as long as you want, but the bottom line is ESPN gives conferences exposure. The Pac 10 is not on ESPN and will not be taken seriously until they negotiate a new TV contract.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 30, 2006 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

that their TV deal sucks. I believe it was because Fox promised to give each Pac-10 team a national game (or ESPN said they could not promise it, something along those lines). I can understand the argument that no one even realizes that there are sports on Fox Sports Net at night...the only argument I don't understand from people is that the games run too late when these same people have no problem staying up to watch MNF, which regularly starts at 9pm Eastern Time, and therefore ends around 12:30am (the same time that west coast games end). For sportswriters, I generally understand this, because these people allegedly have to get up early, but for younger people who stay up that late anyway, it doesn't make sense.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.

by uclawarren on Mar 30, 2006 5:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll give you my take

I don't stay up to watch poker because it doesn't interest me. Just like Pac-10 basketball. I'm not saying the schools aren't good, I'm sure they are. But I don't care enough about basketball to watch two teams that I really just don't care about.

by GoHorns on Mar 31, 2006 9:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

As I said before

that's an argument I can understand.

I think what irks me is that the way that many people make it sound is that it's really only the time that makes people not care about it, which essentially is making the argument that even if it was on ESPN, people still wouldn't watch. I'm not trying to advocate for Pac-10 sports on this site (I've long given up on trying to convince people otherwise), but just trying to make the argument that people shouldn't claim that it is the timing, instead of just coming out and saying, "I don't give a damn about West Coast athletics."

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.

by uclawarren on Mar 31, 2006 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Time is a factor.

I would (and have) watched Pac-10 Basketball, but will not stay up late to do so. I will only do that if Texas is on. And I generally go to bed at 9PM (and no I'm not 73) so I see very few Pac-10 games. I do see lots of other games that come on at 6, 7 or 8 (although only the first half)on ESPN.

by billb on Mar 31, 2006 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Top 5

UCLA will have almost everyone coming back, including Josh Shipp, who his summer league competition (many of whom are NBA players) said is the best player on the team. He will more than make up for the loss of Bozeman. Also, they are getting James Keefe (who was also a McD's All-American).

Another good team should be Memphis, which really only loses Rodney Carney (unless other players leave early).

Considering that Duke will be losing JJ and the Alien, I don't think that any of their younger players are going to make this team better than it was this year.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.

by uclawarren on Mar 30, 2006 9:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Agree about Duke

If Duke loses Josh McRoberts, they will be closer to top 20 than top 5, but if he comes back I will stand by my prediction.

Memphis loses Carney and will likely lose Shawne Williams as well. Top 15 probably.

UCLA is not a team I follow, as you know. You are probably right. They were the last team out of my top 5 last night. If everyone comes back, they will be up there. My guesses are a bit premature b/c the deadline to declare is not until April.

If Aldridge and Tucker both leave, Texas will not be in the top 5 even with Durant and Augstin. UConn will likely lose players, but we don't know how many. And Florida could be excellent with Noah comes back.

--AW--

by awiggo on Mar 30, 2006 9:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Duke

Unless Paulus becomes as much of an outside scoring threat as JJ, or if their other guards can consistently hit from outside, McRoberts will only make up for the loss of the inside game. Teams had trouble with Duke because of the inside-outside threat this season. I know they have a bunch of McD AAs on their team, but I don't know how good the young ones are.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

A Trojan can only be used once. A Bruin is forever.

by uclawarren on Mar 30, 2006 10:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta include LSU in the Top 5

... at least until we find out how many guys they lose to the NBA after they win the National Championship.

All I gotta say is thank GOD we won't have to worry about Gonzaga in the top 5 next year.

Patience Restored

by patienthornsfan on Mar 30, 2006 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All 3

They all looked good. If Texas gets Arthur they are set.

Durant alone is worth an NCAA bid. He's gonna have the type of scoring ability that Longhorn fans are not used to seeing.
We've seen a greater passer, leader, some rebounders and defenders -- but never has Texas had a big time scoring machine.

Augustine is gonna make Abrhams nervous. He was confident, quick and an excellent passer. DJ already sees the court better than Gibson or AJ.

Already I'm way more impressed with this bunch than the other McDees from previous years.

Barnes has outdone himself.

This team could be dangerous at the end of next season.

Walker, Texas Ranger -- C.D. Parker: And how are you doing, little partner? Lucas Simms: Walker told me I have AIDS.

by EYESofBEVO on Mar 30, 2006 10:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

If we get Arthur we will be amazing

but that is probably a slim chance.

Durant is going to be real good, quickly.

I am interested to see how Augustine will compete at the next level. It took AJ a while to adjust to the players and speed at the next level. If Barnes will give him some time early and let him learn from mistakes he will be damn good come this time next year.

Gibson should be the one that is nervous. AJ has earned a starting role and with a little time DJ should be able to run the offense.

awiggo is right, he isn't quite as fast as TJ, but his passing looked to be there. Last night his teammates fumbled at least three would be assists.

by jimmer on Mar 30, 2006 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Please?

Can we bring Reggie Freeman back for one more year?

by texn4life on Mar 30, 2006 10:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

<best Alec Guiness voice>Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long, long time.</best Alec Guiness voice>

Boy, I remember thinking that Reggie was probably the best player Texas was ever going to get...

by Kahuna on Mar 30, 2006 11:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

USC bball

might actually make the tourney (at least the NIT). We're only losing a senior, nonstarting guard (Dwayne Shackleford) and I'm pretty sure we picked up a 5 star recruit...hey, it could happen.

Fight On! Beat the Razorbacks!

by USCLink on Mar 30, 2006 2:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs