Summer Pickup Games at SAC

by mdjohns4 on Aug 11, 2008 10:11 PM PDT

Earlier today over at the SAC basketball courts on campus I got a chance to see a couple of games between current and former Bruins along with some pretty good NBA talent. Danny Granger, Andre Miller, Cuttino Mobley, Earl Watson, Ryan Hollins, Bobo Morgan, Drew Gooden, Mike Roll to name a few. But the highlights of the day belonged to none other than Josh Shipp and Russell Westbrook, both throwing down some vicious jams. It was clear Shipp and RW had (obviously) played together when Russell lobbed a nice pass to the rim from the top of the key and Josh came in from the wing grabbed it with two hands and threw it down with his right. Shipp has gotten noticeably leaner and with a healthy summer finally under his belt, he looks to have regained the athleticism, if I recall correctly, from his first year as a Bruin. Also, his confidence from distance seems to have come back, and although I know game situations are different, he's still knocking them down with regularity from NBA range. Even on defense he's active and strong down low guarding the post--blocks, steals....his early entry into the draft this year may have shown him what it really takes to be an NBA player. It looks to me like he wants to be a lottery pick, he's playing with that kind of intensity and swagger. With Collison and Shipp, we are in good shape to make another run for #12. But we already knew that.

FWIW, RW had a two handed dunk in the lane that looked like he was trying to tear down the rim. Quite a show.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

That sounds Awesome!

If you drop in again, try and get some pictures to put up for those of us who can’t make it.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Aug 11, 2008 11:59 PM PDT reply actions

Great stuff (pun intended)

Thanks for that post. How did the incoming freshmen look? Does Roll have his stroke back?

by Give me a B... on Aug 12, 2008 12:00 AM PDT reply actions

With all the freshmen on next year's team

Shipp is still the X Factor. He will be depended upon more than ever to help carry this team with his experience.

by Tydides on Aug 12, 2008 6:38 AM PDT reply actions

Not to be cynical, but....

Mike Roll had the ball at the top of the key, made some useless dribbles to give him minimal space and got his pocket picked clean by Danny Granger who went in for the two-handed jam at the other end. From the moment Roll got the ball in that position it seemed like it was going to be a turnover. In the 45 minutes I was there to see (several amazing plays, btw) Roll got clowned and didn’t get one good three off. He’s clearly overmatched at SG and SF when guarded against such physical NBA-caliber play, but as a Roll (i.e. role) player he can still be effective from three in the college game. But FWIW, he belongs behind both Jrue (aka the Truth) and Malcolm (playing stellar in pre-college workouts). Bobo can/potentially will be the difference maker on offense for the Bruins, but he has, like Shipp, lost weight from his original Scout.com listing… he needs to put on some muscle to compete (he has till november?) LET ME ITERATE… CBH will do wonders for c Bobo and pf DG (case in point: LMR, Hollins, KLove, Keefe???). With the outside shooting of Shipp and Collison, both Morgan and Drew will get plenty of space to operate/learn how to play physical down low (critical to success in arguably the best conference in the nation). This team should be SPECIAL! With CBH at the helm, we can’t help to be optimistic. Trust in Howland.

P.S. As an upcoming forth year graduate, I have seen nothing but success from our basketball team, which I attribute in full to the dedication and intensity of our coaching staff (led by none other than CBH). We have seen remarkable turnover of college players to the NBA. Who would have imagined (relatively) unheralded recruits like Darren Collison and Russell Westbrook to be the leaders of the premier-college program that Farmar (rightly) left as a sophomore. #12 is only a matter of time…

by mdjohns4 on Aug 13, 2008 1:29 AM PDT reply actions