Fwd: Banks article

[CeltsSteve@xxxxxxx]

A tip of the hat in appreciation to George (<A
HREF="mailto:bdodgers@xxxxxxx";>bdodgers@xxxxxxx</A>) for sharing
this on the Celticsstuffgroup:


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Subj:          [Celtics' Stuff Banks 
Date:          6/26/03 8:50:48 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From:       <A HREF="mailto:bdodgers@xxxxxxx";>bdodgers@xxxxxxx</A>
Reply-to:   <A
HREF="mailto:Celticsstuffgroup@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx";>Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups
.com</A>
To:         <A
HREF="mailto:Celticsstuffgroup@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx";>Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups
.com</A>

Sent from the Internet (Details)



Here's a little write-up from Rebel-Net.com on Marcus Banks before his first
year at UNLV.


September 4, 2001
The NBA vs UNLV?
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Rebel Net Staff



As Steve Francis, Sam Cassell, Cuttino Mobley and several other NBA players
walked through the gym doors, many of the Rebel players looked in awe. Instead
of playing against each other for the sixtieth time of the summer, they were
going to get a chance to play against some of the best players in the world.

It's not unusual for an NBA player or two to sporadically pop by the gym and
join a little pick-up action over the summer. Players are always traveling to
Las Vegas for either business or pleasure. When they are looking for a little
recreation, they know just where to find some games. But this summer the MAGIC
show, a clothing exposition for designers, brought several NBA players to the
city at the same time.

Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Moochie Norris of the Houston Rockets
joined Nick Van Exel and James Posey of the Denver Nuggets, Chauncey Billups
of
the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Sam Cassell of the Milwaukee Bucks to form one
team in the pickup games. The Rebel players that formed the opposing squad
were
Marcus Banks, Lou Kelly, Chris Richardson, Omari Pearson, Dalron Johnson,
Louis Amundson, and Jevon Banks. Amundson and Jevon Banks played sparingly
while
Jamal Holden was learning a lesson about the Las Vegas heat as he suffered
from cramps from the several pick up games the Rebels played prior to the
appearance of the NBA players. Lamar Bigby, Ernest Turner, and Demetrius
Hunter all
sat out with minor foot/ankle injuries. Vince Booker and Lafonte Johnson were
unable to make the games because of class.

The NBA players expected an easy time with the Rebels - afterall, they are
NBA players. But they soon found out that the Rebels were playing to win.

The Rebels won four out of five games against the NBA stars. Chris Richardson
suprisingly dropped in three pointer after three pointer. Lou Kelly was silky
smooth with his drives, his jumpshot, and his crisp passing. Dalron Johnson
showed fluid movement from both the inside and the outside. Both Johnson and
Kelly were in a comfort zone against the NBA stars. Omari Pearson played well
down low offensively and defensively, frequently using the glass on elbow
jumpers. Newcomer Marcus Banks got a glimpse of his probable future as he
dazzled
the NBA guys with his ball handling ability, quickness, and physical defense.
For the Rebels to win four out of five games against top quality competition,
they had to play well.

There were some incredibly athletic plays made by both teams. One one
particular play, Steve Francis, known as one of the best dunkers inch for inch
in the
NBA, threw down a demoralizing dunk over Omari Pearson. Well, maybe it wasn't
demoralizing because minutes later, Francis tried to duplicate the feat only
to have Omari swat the ball off the backboard leaving the former Maryland star
wondering what happened.

One of the highlights was the personal battle between the point guards. Sam
Cassell called for a clear out and was isolated against Marcus Banks. Try as
he
might, Cassell wasn't able to penetrate past the college three point line.
And this was no fluke - it happened time and time again. The vociferous
Cassell
tried to use some veteran trash talk, but Banks was unaffected. Later, the
same isolation plan was used by Moochie Norris, but the results were worse for
the NBA squad as Banks forced two turnovers off Norris' leg.

Banks was also able to penetrate at ease against Cassell and company. He was
also dropping midrange and long jumpers from all over the court. Banks was
clearly the best player on the court this day. The NBAer's may have come out
for
a little fun, but many of them were starting to get frustrated with the
Rebels, especially with the losing battles against Marcus Banks. Banks'
headstrong
ways clearly flustered the veterans.

Cuttino Mobley was the player that did most the damage for the NBA squad.
Although Richardson shot the ball very well for the Rebels, he could not do
anything with Mobley on the defensive end. The crafty veteran was able to
weasel
his way inside for seemingly every offensive rebound. It appeared that Mobley
scored at least 60% of his team's points.

It was a great opportunity for the Rebel players, especially newcomers like
Amundson, Holden, and Bigby. Several of the other Rebels have met and/or
played
against NBA players, but for the new guys, it was special. Hopefully the
Rebels will get more opportunities to play against the best in the world. One
thing is for sure - Banks will.    




CeltsSteve