Blue & Gold

<br />Unquestionably, UCONN has been the best Big East team in recent years. They are a fast paced, offensive orriented team. Defense is fine if you can score once you get the ball. And I think the last time UConn won the national title they had khalid El-Amin running the point & Rip Hamilton filling it up @ the 2G. Definitely have to be able to put the rock in the hole. That's why I can get excited about & appreciate Big East ball, but Miami-style ball makes me vomit & then fall asleep. When Tom Gaffney suggested KD was hinting @ becoming the next Miami of the MAC, I about had a stroke. That's why I'm hoping KD is hoping to emulate tough-nosed, east coast ball; not trying to be the next Charlie Coles.

+1 Good Doctor! I echo the sentiment that whatever jersey LeBron's wearing, that's my team! Akron's #1 son!

I'm on my BlackBerry & thus cannot copy & paste links here. But the ABJ has a very pertinent AP article today concerning defense and how all 4 Final Four teams are built around a "defense first" philosophy. Frankly, it sounds like a collection of KD quotes. I still say, "Please KD! Don't play Miami-style-bore-the-hell-outta-me ball!" But tough nosed Big East-style ball is cool. And I hope that's what KD is shooting for. Anyway, can someone paste the link to the Ohio.com story? it's a good and pertinent read.

+1. But hey, what a great life though, huh?! Travelling Europe. Playing basketball. Getting paid very decent money. Sounds posh to me!

Honestly, how could anyone believe that he would go to the Knicks or Nets? The guy is so focused on winning that he would never go to two of the worst teams int he league and start all over again. Maybe if they signed Kobe, DWade, and a decent big guy first then LeBron would think about it. Basically, you're kidding yourself if you think there is any chance that LeBron will go to either of those two teams. You're also kidding yourself if you think this guy wouldn't win anywhere he goes. What makes you think that's true when he cant even win here? Alway have to be careful saying "he" can't win when it's a team game. One man can't win a title by himself. It takes an above average team to boot. Jordan never won anything without Scottie. Jordan and Pippen were the two best players in the league at the time (or at least the 1st and 3rd best - I could also argue Charles Barkley was the 2nd best). That'd be like having LeBron and Kobe on the same team, or, if you'd want to go 1st and 3rd best, it'd be like having LeBron & D-Wade together. Forget about it. Not only did the Bulls have the two best players in the league, they also always had arguably the 2nd best PF in the league - Charles Oakley, Horace Grant & Dennis Rodman (I'd consider all of them a #2 to Karl Malone). In addition to that they always had an All-Star-caliber PG. In short, the Bulls, as a team, were ridiculously stacked. How'd they ever lose a game? That'd be like the Cavs having: PG - Chauncy Billups (Not the best PG in the league but an all-star caliber player.) SG - Kobe Bryant SF - King James PF - Amare Stoudemire (would you consider him the 2nd or 3rd best PF? If not, insert your own player here.) C - Zydrunas (the Bulls never had a dominate C; just a serviceable 7-footer.) So, needless to say, LeBron is doing WITH A WHOLE LOT LESS. I enjoy & learn a lot from Charles Barkley's observations & comments. A lot of Cleveland fans don't like him, but that's just because he doesn't blow propogandistic smoke for the NBA and tells it like it is. He's been saying for years that the Cavs play WAY TOO SLOW to best utilize LeBron's strengths and that the Cavs would simply suck hard without LBJ. He's right. Could you imagine putting 'Bron on any of these teams?!: LBJ + Boston Celtics = champs LBJ + Toronto Raptors = contenders LBJ + Orlando Magic = champs LBJ + Atlanta Hawks = champs LBJ + Miami Heat = champs LBJ + Charlotte Bobcats = contenders LBJ + Utah Jazz = champs LBJ + Denver Nuggest = champs LBJ + Ok-City Thunder = champs LBJ + Portland Trailblazers = champs LBJ + Phoenix Suns = champs LBJ + LA Lakers = champs LBJ + LA Clippers = contenders LBJ + Dallas Maveriks = champs LBJ + San Antonio Spurs = champs LBJ + Memphis Grizzlies = contenders LBJ + Houston Rockets = contenders LBJ + New Orleans Hornets = contenders There aren't many teams in the league that 'Bron would not instantly make the favorite to win the NBA championship. He is an unprecedented talent. However, the Knicks and Nets happen to be two of the few that are so pathetic not even 'Bron could will & skill them to the front of the line. I couldn't agree more. He hasn't won here and he wont win anywhere else unless he's surrounded by at least one more star and enough above average talent to do it. Jordan definitely had it easier, and you forgot one thing: LBJ + current Cleveland roster = CHAMPS This year they finally have put it together but they still would have a tough time matching up with many variations of Jordan's Bulls. Yup. Jordan's Bulls would expose the Cavs just like the Orlando Magic did last year. LeBron couldn't match up with both Rashard Lewis & Hedo Turkoglu at the same time. Likewise, LBJ wouldn't be able to match up with both Jordan and Pippen at the same time either. It was pick your poison with those guys.

Honestly, how could anyone believe that he would go to the Knicks or Nets? The guy is so focused on winning that he would never go to two of the worst teams int he league and start all over again. Maybe if they signed Kobe, DWade, and a decent big guy first then LeBron would think about it. Basically, you're kidding yourself if you think there is any chance that LeBron will go to either of those two teams. You're also kidding yourself if you think this guy wouldn't win anywhere he goes. What makes you think that's true when he cant even win here? Alway have to be careful saying "he" can't win when it's a team game. One man can't win a title by himself. It takes an above average team to boot. Jordan never won anything without Scottie. Jordan and Pippen were the two best players in the league at the time (or at least the 1st and 3rd best - I could also argue Charles Barkley was the 2nd best). That'd be like having LeBron and Kobe on the same team, or, if you'd want to go 1st and 3rd best, it'd be like having LeBron & D-Wade together. Forget about it. Not only did the Bulls have the two best players in the league, they also always had arguably the 2nd best PF in the league - Charles Oakley, Horace Grant & Dennis Rodman (I'd consider all of them a #2 to Karl Malone). In addition to that they always had an All-Star-caliber PG. In short, the Bulls, as a team, were ridiculously stacked. How'd they ever lose a game? That'd be like the Cavs having: PG - Chauncy Billups (Not the best PG in the league but an all-star caliber player.) SG - Kobe Bryant SF - King James PF - Amare Stoudemire (would you consider him the 2nd or 3rd best PF? If not, insert your own player here.) C - Zydrunas (the Bulls never had a dominate C; just a serviceable 7-footer.) So, needless to say, LeBron is doing WITH A WHOLE LOT LESS. I enjoy & learn a lot from Charles Barkley's observations & comments. A lot of Cleveland fans don't like him, but that's just because he doesn't blow propogandistic smoke for the NBA and tells it like it is. He's been saying for years that the Cavs play WAY TOO SLOW to best utilize LeBron's strengths and that the Cavs would simply suck hard without LBJ. He's right. Could you imagine putting 'Bron on any of these teams?!: LBJ + Boston Celtics = champs LBJ + Toronto Raptors = contenders LBJ + Orlando Magic = champs LBJ + Atlanta Hawks = champs LBJ + Miami Heat = champs LBJ + Charlotte Bobcats = contenders LBJ + Utah Jazz = champs LBJ + Denver Nuggest = champs LBJ + Ok-City Thunder = champs LBJ + Portland Trailblazers = champs LBJ + Phoenix Suns = champs LBJ + LA Lakers = champs LBJ + LA Clippers = contenders LBJ + Dallas Maveriks = champs LBJ + San Antonio Spurs = champs LBJ + Memphis Grizzlies = contenders LBJ + Houston Rockets = contenders LBJ + New Orleans Hornets = contenders There aren't many teams in the league that 'Bron would not instantly make the favorite to win the NBA championship. He is an unprecedented talent. However, the Knicks and Nets happen to be two of the few that are so pathetic not even 'Bron could will & skill them to the front of the line.

The Cavs would struggle to make the playoffs without LeBron. With him, they are the best team in the league. There are probably 10 other teams in the league that 'Bron would do that for as well. If a decent team signs King James they are instantly a title contender. HE IS THAT GOOD. But neither the Knicks nor the Nets are in that category - needless to say. They're downright awful. Today ESPN launched ESPN-NewYork.com, or somthing like that. So with the timing of these articles you've gotta believe they're simply fabricated fluff to increase traffic to the new site. I don't think anyone's serious in thinking LBJ is going to NYC. But if he does, more power to him. He'll always be a loyal Akron homeboy no matter where he happens to play professionally.

When I initially heard they were thinking about expanding the tourney, I was skeptical; thinking the NCAA was simply looking to include the 10th place Big Ten school, etc. But this setup sounds great. I'm all for any setup which makes the regular season meaningful. All the talk about "the only games which matter are the 3 @ the Q," was really starting to get to me. I wanna have adrenaline rushes during the regular season too!

I went to the annual (22nd annual?) Stark/Summit Rotary Club All-Star Classic @ Malone last night. Summit beat Stark 140-111. Saw some very good players. Charles Hearn (Kenmore) - only scored 10 points; wasn't hitting from the outside. But he's a natural baller. Monte Woods (East) - 6'4" guard who is more explosive than any guard currently on our roster. Can hit from the outside, handle the ball & drive to the hoop. Elvin Butler (East) - 6'1" guard. Again, more explosive than any of our D-1 college guards. Unacceptable in my opinion. Jacob North (Barberton) - This guy has an absolutely SICK outside shot. He is a Steve McNees type of player (not as quick as Steve). He's going to Toledo on a baseball scholly. Jacob was named Summit MVP (the award could have gone to a number of players but someone had to win it). He finished w/ 22 points & hit 6 3-pointers, one of which was closer to half court than the 3-point arc (and this was with proper shooting form. Quite crazy.) Jon Harris (Twinsburg) - for the life of me I can't figure out why we weren't ALL OVER this guy! He's 6'8" and smooth! Can handle the ball, fly out of the rafters and stop and pop from the 3!!! Best player on the floor IMHO (though, of course, all-star games aren't the best venue for rating talent) He's going to Miami for b-ball. Cameron Black (Roosevelt) - Okay, here's another instance where I'm going to just have to blindly trust KD. I know Cameron wanted to be a Zip, but we chose to give our schollies to other players (Cameron's going to BGSU). Cameron looked excellent. He's a good 6'8" and can handle the ball - he repeatedly brought the ball up the floor on fast breaks! He's got good post moves to boot. Negatives would be that he's not a great outside shooter and is not the most explosive player. Kinda reminds me of a typical UA forward, skilled but not explosive. So I hope that's why KD wanted to bring in the much more athletic Josh Egner. Josh Egner (Jackson) - Though I thought both Jon Harris and Cameron Black looked like more dangerous players, Josh was the most explosive player on the floor. Hit a 3 to boot. Has the potential to be great; or might just disappear on offense - sometimes it seems like if he can't simply dunk the ball he can't do much. Idk, first time I've seen him play (other than STO state championship game.) Storm Sanders (GlenOak) - can really handle the ball and penetrate to the basket. Liked to penetrate & then kick the ball out. Was kind of a natural ball hog, but he's obviously used to being "the man" but was struggling w/ his outside shot last night. Though he took a couple 3's from about 6 feet behind the arc. Isaiah Elliot (McKinley) - I only list him because he was named Stark MVP & ended up w/ 22 points. But quite honestly, as compared to much of the other talent on the floor last night he's not much to write home about. He's going to Malone & I'm sure will have a very fine career there. From watching one all-star game (this & $1 will get you a cup of coffee) I would rank the players thusly: Backcourt: 1. Montazine Woods (East) 2. Jacob North (Barberton) 3. Charles Hearn (Kenmore) 4. Elvin Butler (East) 5. Storm Sanders (GlenOak) Frontcourt: 1. Jon Harris (Twinsburg) 2. Cameron Black (Roosevelt) 3. Josh Egner (Jackson) All the players were very, very good and the game was a lot of fun to watch. You could tell all the players were having a really great time, which is what it was all about. All of their parents should be proud. P.s. For some reason Henniger didn't play.

I'm glad he said it and I'm glad it made print. I think we might need a little media-applied external pressure put on the program in order for us to be dead serious about our need to ratchet things up a little bit. Thanks Elton!

I hope his family is/will be well cared for, but on a selfish note, I do hope he returns for another season. It's good for the MAC.

Are there any rumors of development along Exchange St.? Though the economy is admittedly in the tank, I was still hoping for more by now. Exchange Street is not only a blighted embarrassment, it's dangerous. Gotta... keep... beating... the... ghetto... back!

I would guess that if Humpty is unhappy, it would have more to do with the Zips' slow style of play and KD moving him to the 2-guard spot rather than a lack of minutes on the floor. Humpty's a PG who is FAST. His talents are best utilized running up & down the floor, not walking the ball up for a half-court set. I hope KD swallows his pride and simply turns Humpty loose next year. Humpty & Egner would be murder running the floor. Also, Zeke can really run for a 7-footer. Turn them loose, KD. They're the show, not you.

How was the turn out?

Has there been any word on where he is transferring to? I saw Devo run in high school and was honestly pretty underwhelmed. But, then again, I saw Beanie run in high school and wasn't particularly blown away either. Shows what I know.

Did anyone act on GoZips' enigmatic charge to "Do some homework"? Is Dylan Ennis graduating early and joining the team next year?

Henniger looks like the typical forward we've had since Romeo graduated - 6'7-8" and a very solid high school performer but doesn't have any hops and actually lays the ball up quite a ways below the rim. Egner is a higher risk / higher ceiling player who has a mean streak and lives to take it strong to the hole and hopes you try to block it so he can break your hand while he gets an and-one. Great looking athlete. If he improves his jumpshot a little bit he may be a special player for us. Tonight he also had a couple very sweet no-look passes to Henniger down low.

Egner didn't have as dominant a performance tonight as he did against either St. John's or Gahanna-Lincoln and HE LOOKS PISSED right now even though they just won state! I LOVE IT!!!

I also love how he loves swinging his elbows @ head level after getting a rebound. Mean, competitive streak in him! Me like!!!

UTTER paint domination. Moeller look like the proverbial deer in headlights anywhere inside the 3-point arc. The boys are REALLY making Akron & Can't look good.

Dude, Moeller blows. They would have finished 5th in the City Series this year. They're not sniffing the paint w/ Egner & Henniger down there. They're just crappin' their pants against those two.

Actually, I can't be the only one thinking Moeller doesn't look very impressive, no? They're rather slow & are looking to milk the clock. I was expecting more. Frankly, I'd take Buchtel, Kenmore, St.V or even East over these stiffs. But they have been successful in slowing the pace, which seems to be the only chance they have. The slow pace won't likely play to Egner's strength. Henniger seems to be more of the half-court-set kinda guy.

Egner's 3 was a little short. But it was on-line and he's got good, smooth form on the J.

Egner likes to block shots like Bron-Bron!

Hilltopper, thanks for the above link! I had completely missed that conversation! That actually clears a lot up. Doesn't get anything accomplished, but clears it up for me.