Do the 'Do (HairDo)

In late January, Kansas Jayhawk teammates and Chicago-natives PG Sherron Collins and SF Julian Wright took a trip to the barbershop, where they shaved matching patterns in the front-right portion of their heads. The “Chicago shave” as duped by KU bloggers, doesn’t have any real significance for Collins and Wright, except to show their allegiance to the Chi. “It doesn’t signify anything. I do it all the time back home. It’s my graphic design,”[1] KU’s then-freshman guard said to Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World. If Collins is in search of a buddy to inscribe the Windy City style in their ’do after arriving on the Main Line for the Pan-Am Trials this July, he need not look to his fellow Jayhawk backcourt mate. That other KU rep, PG Mario Chalmers, is a native of Anchorage, Alaska. Along with G Russell Robinson, these two formed the formidable Jayhawk backcourt, leading the break all the way to the 2007 Elite Eight. With Julian Wright as the only loss from last year’s team, it’s hard to imagine anyone who will stand in Kansas’ way in the Big 12 or even in the country. However, one problem remains. As Wright is predicted to go to the Hawks with the eleventh pick or the Clippers with the 14^th pick in tomorrow’s NBA Draft, who will Collins get his hair cut with? If they both make the 12-man roster, maybe he can convince Chalmers to head over to the Hair Cuttery to get American Flags in the back of their heads before heading south.

(Julian Wright on left, Sherron Collins, right)

Chalmers, whose hair we assume is still trimmed tight to his head, completes a triumvirate of Alaskan born basketball stars to do serious damage in college ball – but he happens to be the first one not to do so at Cameron Indoor. The “Alaskan Assassin,” SG Trajan Langdon led his East Anchorage HS team to the ’94 State Championship, setting the Alaska AAAA Men’s record with 2,200 career points en route. Langdon and Chalmers are the only two players to ever earn Alaska 4A Player of the Year honors three times over. That 1994 ’chip capped off Langdon’s third in four years, defeating Juneau by over thirty points. Langdon was named to the All-Tournament team for the third straight year. Juneau-Douglas HS, however, would gain redemption when PF Carlos Boozer came up through their ranks. Boozer, also a three-time All-Tournament team selection, led JD to two championships in his four years before following in Langdon’s footsteps to play under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. Chalmers succeeded Boozer as the heir to Alaskan basketball, leading his Bartlett HS squad to two championships as well, and finishing as a runner-up in two more.

Despite their unique and totally different styles of play, Chalmers and Langdon are tied together by more than their allegiance to Seward’s Folly. Passing over the Russian Jack Springs Park on Debarr Road, their alma maters are separated by less than four miles. Their birthdays are even closer, as they were born almost ten years apart to the day (close enough – it’s 10 years and 6 days). And both guards were named after someone of great importance: Langdon got his name from a Roman Emperor. The second of the “Five Good Emperors,” Trajan’s reign from 98 C.E. to 117 C.E. marks the period in which the Empire reached its greatest territorial extent. Chalmers was named after someone whose impact was slightly more immediate, his mother Almarie. Mario’s full name, Almario Vernard Chalmers bears the resemblance. And Mario chooses to pay homage to his mom’s basketball career too; he wears her number 15 from her days at Winston-Salem State and Methodist College.

(Trajan, the emperor)

(Trajan, the basketball player... is there a resemblance here?!)

The only real similarity between Langdon’s and Chalmers’ games is their stroke from beyond the arc. Before SG J.J. Redick hit an incredible (and Duke record-breaking) 457 3-pointers, the “Alaskan Assassin” drilled a then-record setting 342 on 802 attempts. Chalmers did some damage from downtown in high school, leading the state in 3-point shooting. But his game is not limited to dialing long distance. Better than his 3-ball, Chalmers’ best asset is his quickness. Along with Marquette’s G Jerel McNeal, the Big East defensive player of the year, Chalmers is arguably the best defender at the Trials. He earned the co-Big 12 defensive POY with Oklahoma State’s F Marcus Dove, an all-around long defender, for his ability to put tremendous pressure on ball handlers and sharp anticipation in intercepting passes. He led the Big 12 in steals for the second straight year, this time breaking G Darnell Valentine’s KU record of 92 steals in 1981 with 97 in the ’06-’07 campaign.

Chalmers’ defensive prowess will give the U.S. exactly what they’re looking for in the Pan-Am games: easy baskets. When asked what the key was in overcoming the alarmingly low numbers of assists produced by Team USA during the ’03 games, in which PG Andre Barrett (Seton Hall) led the squad with 2.4 assists per game, Coach Jay Wright noted that defense would be the key to improvement. “Hopefully, we can get some easy baskets and our defense can create scoring opportunities,” said Wright.

As much as the international competition tries to slow down Team USA with zone defenses, Chalmers is a fast-break starter, complemented well by Sherron Collins, a fast-break finisher. Tom Keegen of the Lawrence Journal-World gave that label to Collins: “Sherron Collins is a finisher. He finishes drives to the hoop. He finishes games.”[2]

Even though he finds F Brandon Rush instead of Collins on this ’break, check out what Chalmers can do once he has the ball in his hands: Chalmers dish. I implore you to watch this video twice – it’s only visible from the first view, which is a shame, but watch Chalmers’ wrist action. PG Darren Collison’s body is in the way on the second angle, blocking the camera from capturing the execution of the Pistol Pete Maravich “wrist pass.” This Pistol video is absolutely classic, and also worth a watch – it also might teach you something the next time you’re looking to make your opponent “eat air.”

Hopefully Chalmers and Collins, despite being little guys at 6’1’’ and 5’11’’ respectively, can be on the floor at the same time to give us a glimpse of what will be on tap all next year at the Phog Allen Fieldhouse, and maybe even in Rio this summer.

[1] Bedore, Gary. "Collins Goes 'Ballin': Freshman 'Fabulous' for KU." KU Sports.Com: Lawrence Journal-World. 16 Jan. 2007. 26 June 2007 .

[2] Keegan, Tom. "Keegan: Collins One Fine Finisher." KU Sports.Com: Lawrence Journal-World. 20 Feb. 2007. 26 June 2007 .

Security Concerns in Rio

For Rio de Janeiro to serve as the confluence of athletes from forty-three nations at the Pan-American Games this July, the city needs to address some of its troubling security concerns. Without Denzel Washington's Man on Fire character John Creasy to keep an eye on all the athletes, the police are preparing for the event by training in a virtual city created in a military garrison.

Despite assurances of safety from Rio's mayor, daily gun battles between the police and drug gangs as recent as last week leave serious questions as to the state of affairs on the real streets of the city. In the neighboring Vila Cruzeiro slum, seventeen people have been killed and sixty injured since May 1, according to Reuters. "Meanwhile, the coach of Brazil's volleyball squad [Bernardo Resende] said this week Rio was 'living a war' and he was worried that while the authorities promise to guarantee the safety of athletes, their families may be facing danger in other parts of Rio."[1]

Many suggest that Rio is looking beyond the Games, hoping to gain the confidence of the International Olympic Committee in pursuit of a bid for the 2016 Olympics. In order to exceed expectations, the budget has exceeded its original limitations - going from $225 million to $1.6 billion.[2]

However, that bid hangs in the balance, while the events slated to take place in three weeks must go smoothly for Rio to be a legitimate contender.

[1] "Raids, Checkpoints in Rio Slums as PanAm Games Near." 14 June 2007. Reuters. 21 June 2007.

[2] King, David. "S.A. in Middle as Rio Readies for Pan Ams and USOC Aids Chicago." MySA.Com. 19 June 2007. San Antonio Express-News. 21 June 2007 .

Honk Once for Big Men, Honk Twice for Swingmen

With the NBA Draft looming less than two weeks away, the pressure is on virtually every NBA GM to do the most with their selection. Portland GM Kevin Pritchard is in the unique position of deciding what to do with the first choice. The argument amounts to a discussion of college basketball’s two most dynamic underage all-stars. C Greg Oden, (Ohio State) 19, and SF Kevin Durant, (Texas) 18, are the two possibilities when the Trailblazers select first on June 28^th. While the Blazers try to address this dilemma with algorithms and computations that could make Bruce Partridge’s head spin, and a series of extensive interviews with these two incredibly talented All-Americans, their decision boils down to whether they want to build their franchise around a post-player or a swingman.

Just as Pritchard must make this decision about the focus of his team, the USA Basketball selection committee, headed by Hall of Fame Syracuse coach, Jim Boeheim shoulders the tough task of evaluating talent and prioritizing the positions best suited for a gold medal run through the Pan-American Games. While Boeheim and his staff will select an entire team as opposed to a single player, each addition to the roster will address the same question that Pritchard is facing. Will we find success with big-bodied post-play, or will a guard-based, face-the-basket approach put more points on the board?

In the post-Jordan era, many teams find it difficult to pass on scorers who do their damage from the perimeter. Psychology professionals might term this “Bowieism,” as it was Portland’s choice back in 1984 to pass on MJ with the second pick in favor of the 7’1’’ Kentucky Wildcat, Sam Bowie. Bowie spent eleven injury-riddled years in the NBA, bouncing around the league. In 2007, Greg Oden looks much more like the first big man drafted in ’84, Akeem Olajuwon, than the one who followed.

(Bowie wears 54 for Kentucky, as he defends Houston's #45 Akeem Olajuwon. They were picks 1 and 2 during the stacked 1984 draft, which also included Jordan, John Stockton, Charles Barkley and Sam Perkins.)

Just as we expect Kevin Pritchard to make the sensible decision and go with Oden for the first pick, Jim Boeheim & co. will likely follow suit two weeks after the Draft in putting the burden of USA Basketball on the broad shoulders of the big men. While the U.S. boasts dead-eye shooters like Tennessee SG Chris Lofton, 20.8 ppg, 47.9% from the field and 42% from downtown in ’07, and UNC Tar Heel slasher SF Wayne Ellington, their games largely depend on a frontcourt presence. Roy Williams' system in Chapel Hill relies on filtering the ball through C Tyler Hansbrough's hands. His aggressiveness opens up passing lanes for Ellington, who scores the majority of his points on mid-range jumpers or open three's after good ball movement. If the ball did not enter the post, defenders would not be forced to collapse toward the middle, and there would be little room for shooters to find their shot. Ellington can look back to the Georgetown/UNC battle on March 25th, when the Hoyas' frontcourt of PF Jeff Green and C Roy Hibbert "started" the offense, demanding the attention of double-teams and finding the open man. The result, a GTown win 96-84 and five Hoyas in double-figures.

Even though Green is opting for MSG on the 28th instead of the GIAC on the 12th, NC State PF Brandon Costner can fill that role as the smaller, yet equally dangerous post partner. With his smooth south-paw style, Costner is most comfortable with his back to the basket, scoring frequently on a sweet left-handed baby hook. He also can face the basket and even finish with his off-hand. At 6'8'' 230, he will complement Hibbert the way Green, 6'9'' 235 did during the season.

Even if BC's jumper isn't what Green's is, his aggressive style of play will alleviate some of the pressure off of Hibbert, who isn't quite used to being the go-to-guy. Costner comes from a system in which head coach Sidney Lowe (pictured below) made his post-game the priority. Finding the seam in a zone and being able to spot the open man will suit Costner well during the Pan-Am games, where international competition will likely try to limit the U.S.’s athleticism with a healthy helping of zone defense.

If Boeheim had the opportunity, he would undoubtedly save a spot for both Oden and Durant. However, if he were in Kevin Pritchard’s position and could only select one for his team, know that he'd support the big-man philosophy and let the 7-footer roam the center of Jay Wright's defense.

Engine, Engine (and Gold Medal) Number 9

As we prepare to welcome the largest influx of hoops talent ever to set foot on Haverford’s campus for July's Pan-American Games Trials, (apologies to Dick Voith ’77) it’s important to get a sense of what these hoopsters are aiming to accomplish within the walls of the Gooding Arena. Aside from testing the strength of the rims and backboards, thirty top Division-I all-stars will play for twelve spots on the roster, and twelve seats on a plane headed for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Pan-American Games XV.

Since the advent of this intra-America's competition in 1951, the U.S. men have captured eight gold medals, three silvers and one bronze over the course of fourteen Games. As impressive as these numbers are, the U.S. has not demonstrated their expected dominance in recent years. The last time they stood atop the victors’ podium was in 1983, when a twenty-year old guard from UNC, by the name of Michael Jordan pumped in an impressive 17.3 points per game alongside his Tar Heel teammate Sam Perkins’ 13.1 ppg.

(Jordan’s holding the ball in the center of the picture. I can’t make out who’s who, but somewhere in this shot of the entire 1983 gold-medal winning USA squad, you can find St. John’s shooter Chris Mullin, Georgia Tech guard Mark Price, ’Nova forward Ed Pinckney, UNC's Sam Perkins and OU Sooner Wayman Tisdale.)

The Haverford-hosted Trials are central to reversing the twenty-four year gold medal drought and the embarrassing fourth place finish in 2003. Making the trek all the way from Lancaster Ave. to call the shots is Villanova head coach Jay Wright. He has the responsibility of taking full advantage of Big East rival C Roy Hibbert, (Georgetown) possibly the U.S.’s most potent weapon. It was Hibbert who led the Hoyas to the Final Four before falling to C Greg Oden, PG Mike Conley, Jr. and Ohio State. Oden and Conley, both freshman during their run through March Madness, would be eligible to play in Brazil if they weren’t headed off to be lottery picks in this month’s NBA draft.

These ten days of basketball, which include a three-day tryout from July 12-14, to be followed by five days of practice, are central to bringing USA Basketball back to its spot atop the field. The drills, scrimmages and strategy for which the Gooding Arena will bear witness will likely determine the fate of winning that elusive ninth gold medal.

Before leaving for the 1979 Pan-Am games, in which the U.S. pounded the competition with a 9-0 record and an average margin of victory of more than 21 points per game, future three-time NBA Champion Kevin McHale called the Trials, not the Games, “my awakening as a basketball player.”[1] His epiphany is not meant to be a prophetic prediction that some other lanky middle-American forward will blossom into an elite low-post presence – well…maybe if someone taught Brian Butch (6’11’’ 245 lbs., Wisconsin) McHale’s signature “up-and-over” we might have something here. Instead, McHale’s admission highlights the life-altering nature of this event. These college-aged kids must elevate their level of play for something greater than a national audience. This time around, it’s for national pride and maybe even international glory.

(Kevin McHale, a legend of the low-post, above)
(Brian Butch, Wisconsin, below)

Nine of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players have competed at this event, only one of whom (David Robinson - 1987) fell short of coming home with gold. One month from today we will know whose flight is booked for Brazil and who is headed home.

[1] May, Peter. The Big Three: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish: The Best Frontcourt in the History of Basketball. Simon & Schuster: New York, 1994. 137.