ScoopShady posted some thoughts about the game on TDD. Thought they were worth sharing over here. His assessments about last year's players turned out to be pretty spot on:
I was at the game last night ... sat right behind the West bench ... just some general thoughts: (and yes, it's an All-Star game ... but you can sort of just "tell stuff" sometimes by watching these guys):
1) The Harrison twins are better than I thought ... they are good passers, have good vision, and seemed to be better shooters than I imagined ... And mainly, they are BIG guards. 6'5" and 6'6" ... thinking about Quinn having to guard one of them is more than a little concerning. I like the fact that Quinn is a Junior vs. a Freshman ... but physically it's a big concern.
2) Julius Randle might not be Chris Webber ... but he's going to be a rebounding and scoring around the basket monster. Big body, QUICK first-step ... and just a knack for scoring the ball. Did you see the reverse alley-oop? Yikes.
3) Wiggins -- It seemed like he was "taking it easier" last night ... but his first-step is wildly explosive. You could really tell that he and Jabari were going at it....but honestly in an all-star game like this ... with a spread floor, Jabari can't check him one-on-one (and really no one could). Obviously that was obvious by the fact that Jabari nearly fouled out....lol. He has just a TON OF BOUNCE, and one play in particular...he had the ball under the basket, just leapt up, and almost one-handed a monster dunk...he missed the dunk, but you could tell how explosive he was for a "guard". I certainly decided after the game...there's only one good solution for Duke....FSU or Kansas. He makes Kentucky damn near unbeatable...and he gives UNC an incredible weapon.
4) My favorite player of the night (and not just because of his dunking ability) was Gordon. Good handle...good passer...and a really high-level athlete. You pair him with Tarc next year at Arizona, and we really should be discussing those guys with the top 3-4 teams in the country. He had a certain "it" factor that alot of the other guys were missing. Loved his game.
5) Jabari -- Whoever said it before ... he has the most complete set of skills in this game for sure, but you could also tell that an All-Star game isn't exactly where he's going to shine. He's going to fill the stat sheet, but it's not going to be in the same way Wiggins and others will. I think they'll be alot of games at Duke where you'll look up and he'll have 18 pts, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks...and say ... "wow, I didn't realize he had that good of a game" ... I mean don't get me wrong, you're going to notice him, and he'll make some spectacular plays ... but he's gonna be more of a "grinding presence" than a highlight-reel guy for Duke ... if that makes sense. One thing that was clear to me ... he's INCREDIBLY versatile ... and "in a system" ... is going to be a great player for us.
6) James Young -- Easily the most "aloof" guy I saw yesterday. He didn't look like he wanted to be there...(obviously I'm sure he did) ... but I doubt he enjoyed coming off the bench, and I couldn't help but wonder ... if Wiggins does go there ... how does Young handle that? I simply can't see him starting ... and don't get me wrong ... when he did "ramp it up" ... he looked like a good scorer, and a great first-step ... but the 3-spot at UK is wildly loaded....who sits?
More quick/random thoughts:
a) Dakari Johnson a little more skilled than I thought. While we struggle to find a 5-man...UK has WCS and Johnson next year....and Johnson has a HUGE body....gonna be difficult
b) Cat Barber is lightning-quick ... it'll be fun to watch him at State ... (and probably a day 1 starter)
c) We REALLY don't want Wiggins at UK ... if they go:
Harrison
Harrison
Wiggins
Randle
WCS
....they are in fact #1 in my opinion ... I know they have to "gel"....etc. etc...but it's just so much talent....and guys that can do a little bit of everything. I do think they're short on shooting-depth...(similar to the Wall/Cousins team) ... but from my perspective they will start, and could very well finish the year #1 ... they'll just be wildly deep, and very formidable...HOWEVER ... if they miss on Wiggins ... and go:
Harrison
Harrison
Poythress
Randle
WCS
....I think it takes them down a peg or two ... but still probably #2 or #3 ... with Wiggins ... it's just .... just too much ... it'll be interesting to see how he'll handle all of it....one more thought on UK ... from a sheer size perspective, and "NBA-looking" body talent ... those UK practices will be just insane.
d) Final thought ... Kennedy Meeks ... yikes ... just yikes.
Just a few thoughts I had after watching the game yesterday...