Future Ben Ball Warriors On Display

by Nestor on Mar 26, 2008 6:26 PM PDT in Recruiting

While the current version of Ben Ball warriors are preparing to take on the Hilltoppers, two of our future warriors are going to be on national television in a matter of mins. xapis 828 is already on it. The 2008 McDonald’s All American game is on tonight on WWL (6:30 pm PST). All the recruiting junkies know by now that two future Ben Ball warriors are going to be suiting up for the West squad. The folks at rivals.com has a little write up on the festivities leading up to tonight’s game. Guess what our two future Ben Ball warriors were shining in:? That’s right DEFNSE:

Jrue Holiday- Never out to individually impress, Holiday's serious minded approach to the game has had a positive effect on the West squad since he began practicing on Monday. Primarily scoring with his unorthodox tendency to finish with his left hand in the lane, Holiday has been happy to keep the ball moving and get his points off moving without the basketball and hitting the glass. His best work was on the defensive end today where he did a sound job defending Jennings. It will be interesting to watch him defend Evans on Wednesday night.

Malcolm Lee- Lee displayed his defensive prowess locking up Demar DeRozan along with others during the West practice. At 6-foot-4, Lee can get low to the ground and move his feet with the best of them while pressuring the ball with his hands. He and Holiday are custom built for the UCLA system, but Lee is going to need some time in the weight room before he can have the impact that the physically stronger Holiday is ready to have.

I am sure once ML gets to Westwood he is going to develop under Coach Howland’s regime just like JF, AA, DC, RW … you get the picture.

Meanwhile, ML’s backcourt mate - Holiday - has been in the news in recent week weeks. Thought it was worth taking note of a recent online feature the WSJ ran on college hoops recruiting.

The focus of this piece was the chaotic and hyper recruiting that goes around NPOY caliber recruits such as Holiday:

The feature has a nice little amusing side note on Timmeh's recruiting of DeRozan and Lil' Romeo (a topic WSJ zeroed in on recently).

But one of the main thrust of the feature is how Jrue Holiday has been able to remain steady through the whole recruiting circus. Love the end of the feature where Jrue conveys his "plan" re what he wants to bring to UCLA.

Enjoy and consider this a Mickey D All American game open thread.

GO BRUINS.

0 recs | Comment 23 comments

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pretty quick start

as expected...jrue just got fouled and has an opportunity to score his first points of the evening...so far I must admit jennings looks scary good, but maybe thats just the sweet flattop..very early though.

really excited to see malcolm lee too, I think we all have an idea of what jrue can do, but I must admit i've seen far less of malcolm

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 26, 2008 6:58 PM PDT 0 recs

He's been pretty loose with the ball

trying to set that assist record, but flinging the ball all over the place to get there.

by Tydides on Mar 26, 2008 7:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

jennings

is lazy on d though..this is a really good pac ten class though wow

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 26, 2008 7:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

I believe he will

be dominated with that kind of "showtime" play in college. His quick step will help him out, but its kind of like in soccer... all the jukes and flashy play is completely worthless when playing against a solid defender.

When i really think about it, i'm sure that Collison could 'perform' the same kind of moves for us if he wasn't pressured defensively.

by bruin007 on Mar 26, 2008 7:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

Agreed

It's an all-star game, there won't be any defense here. That's not going to happen in a normal Pac-10 game.

by Raisin on Mar 26, 2008 7:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

It's the attitude...

Jennings passes up a layup to throw an assist off the backboard for the trailer to dunk, then showboats back up the court while the East runs past him for a layup... That'll fit right into Lute's defensive scheme.

by SeattleBruin91 on Mar 26, 2008 7:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

well yea

i was just impressed with his athleticism mainly, hes quick and a pretty fluid lefty..but yea I don't expect jrue to take this game over, and im glad he hasn't tried to do too much..I expect to see alot of solid fundamental ball from jrue and hopefully some tough D.

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 26, 2008 7:07 PM PDT 0 recs

go with me here

but does samardo samuels not look like a cross of big baby and greg oden (face wise)

O.A.

by Ollie on Mar 26, 2008 7:15 PM PDT 0 recs

M. Lee?

Malcolm Lee? Matt Lee is a senior, right? That would have been confusing!

by Joe Bruin on Mar 26, 2008 7:16 PM PDT 0 recs

Jrue

Announcers had some great things to say about Jrue while he was shooting his FTs. "Basketball coach's basketball player," "guy totally gets it in a LeBron James sort of way as far as helping his teammates," "tremendous passer," were a few of the compliments I picked up. Looking forward to seeing him in the blue and gold.

Hopefully we'll get some MLee action soon too.

by EphsandBruins on Mar 26, 2008 7:17 PM PDT 0 recs