Michael: Desert Classic Mini Report

[Elgin W Booth <ewbooth@cisunix.unh.edu>]

Mike,

Thanks for your reports. I am especially interested in the play of five
players there: AJ Guyton, Eddie House, Desmond Mason, Jabari Smith, and
Gabe Muoneke. Any information on how they fared in Phoenix would be very
appreciated.

I am intrigued by House and Guyton at the point guard position. They
are both high energy guys who can really run, shoot, and thrive in
the uptemp game. Mason is a great athlete who has really improved his
shot, probably the best off guard prospect there. I think Muoneke could
develop into a very good small forward with his aggresive play and his
soft shooting touch. And I like the way Jabari Smith plays under control
and can hit the midrange jumper for a 6'11 guy. Thank you.

On Wed, 12 Apr 2000, Michael J.King Sr. wrote:

> Note: My report on actual performances of players is almost non-existent as 
> the mood was kind of a just getting to know each other practice.Later.MJK
> 
> The first night practice was pretty uneventful but some audience members 
> were noteworthy. Many GM's were in attendance and we sat near Elgin Baylor 
> and Jerry West. Mr. West had an entourage in tow who dutifully laughed at 
> all of his jokes(funny or not!!) Ronnie Lester (Iowa) was the main 
> conversation partner of Jerry's and IIRC he is an assistant to the GM or 
> some such?? Anyone know?
> Anyway they ended up sitting in front of us and one overheard conversation 
> between West and Lester was their assessments of A.J.Guyton and Ed Cota. 
> Guyton was bringing the ball upcourt most of the night and was noticeably 
> not as quick as Cota.Having said that Lester loved Cota over Guyton while 
> West stated that Guyton was a for sure # 1 and Cota would go undrafted!! As 
> I said pretty uneventful but wicked enjoyable! Around 200 people were in 
> the Wells Fargo Arena on the campus of Arizona State University for the 
> practice with the majority from the NBA and the media. There were only 
> about 20 of us without credentials hanging around our necks.It will be 
> interesting to see if thr crowds grow over the next few days as the local 
> media especially TV are pretty much ignoring it.The channel I watch had a 
> piece on Fenways opening day but zilch on the Classic and it hopefully will 
> change for the actual games.Here is a list of who we saw last night(Tuesday):
> NAME              POSITION/HEIGHT                   SCHOOL
> Vincent Jones         C      6:10                       Jackson State
> Jabari Smith           C      6:11                           L.S.U.
> Malik Allen             F      6:10                        Villanova
> Ryan Blackwell       F      6:7                          Syracuse
> Craig Claxton         G      5:11                         Hofstra
> A.J.Granger           F       6:9                          Michigan State
> Jason Hart             G      6:3                          Syracuse
> Eduardo Najera      F       6:8                          Oklahoma
> Terrance Roberson F       6:7                          Fresno State
> Matt Santangelo     G      6:1                          Gonzaga
> Alex Scales           G      6:4                          Oregon
> Jarret Stephens      F      6:7                           Penn State
> Lavor Postell          F      ??                            St. John's
> 
> More guys will show up tonight(Wednesday) A coplete roster is available @ 
> http://espn.go.com/ncb/s/draft/deserroster.html
> 
> Hopefully tonights practice will allow me to evaluate the kids better as 
> last night was really informal and without alot of substance(IMO) but I was 
> in nirvana nonetheless just being there and looking ahead to the actual 
> games as well as the Emperor (West)of the Evil Empire (Fakers) being in 
> attendance!!  I'll be on the lookout for Wallace and Leo Papille(sp) as 
> both were prominent attendees last year. Well until next 
> time.Later.Mike
> 
> 
>       
>