An assortment of odd observations and opinions about
high school sports in Oregon and around the world.
Amazing Underclassmen
Thomas Tyner, Aloha HS junior sprinter, may go down as the top prep
athlete ever in Oregon if he can stay healthy. His 2010-11 school
year is one of the greatest ever – becoming state record holder in
100 meters and leading Aloha to a new 4×100 relay record, while
adding 6A offensive player of the year in football as a sophomore.
Tyner fought through hamstring injuries for another 1,000+ rushing
yards last fall and is starting this track season slowly as he tries
to regain top form. Get out and watch the fastest prep sprinter in
Oregon history and one of the nation’s top football recruits while
you have the chance, so that one day you can say, “I saw Thomas Tyner run the 100 meter dash in high school!”
And speaking of prep track and field in Oregon, you must mention the
precocious multi-event star Haley Crouser of Gresham who smashed
the National High School record in the javelin (held by fellow
Oregonian, Newberg HS and U of O gradutate, Rachel Yurkovich) by
throwing 181-feet 2-inches in a meet early this season. Crouser is a
junior. She joins her brother Sam (Javelin, 244-2, in 2010 for Gresham) and
cousin Ryan (Discus, 237-6, in 2011 for Barlow) as National Record holders.
This budding heptathlete also has the leading mark in the state in the shot put
this year and placed in four events at the state meet as a sophomore last year.
The record throw, qualified the 6-foot Crouser for the Olympic Trials this summer,
earning a chance to compete against the rest of the nations best javelin throwers for
a spot on the 2012 Olympic team that will compete in London later this summer.
Did I mention that she is just a junior, in high school.
Both Tyner and Crouser are competing this weekend in the Oregon Relays at Hayward Field. Crouser throws the javelin on Friday and Tyner is scheduled to run the 100 on Saturday.
Basketball Notes
Remember Andre Miller?
He’s the guy that Chad Buchanan traded last summer, along with Rudy
Fernandez, for Raymond Felton – in the worst trade of the NBA
off-season. He had a couple statistical lines last week that made me
fondly remember a point guard that “knows how to play basketball.”
In his past three games, Miller garnered 32 assists and 11 turnovers
in 74 minutes off the bench for Denver. In Felton’s last three games
played for Portland, he managed 18 assists and 13 turnovers in 98
minutes. Although Felton scored 47 points to Miller’s 22, that
just shows you the difference in the mentality of the two players.
And to think that Paul Allen and Larry Miller are considering hiring Mr. Buchanan to be
the full-time GM is absolutely ludicrous. He is, at best, a
second-rate scout.
An example of “Tweeting Before Thinking”
Dwyane Wade tweeted that he thought they deserved to be paid for playing
on the U.S. Olympic Basketball team. A lot of people have been
seriously offended by his tweet and he has received the appropriate
backlash. To think of the amount of money he has made in his career
just off of sponsor endorsements – many times what most Americans
will make throughout their lifetimes – and not even figuring in his
enormous NBA salary, it boggles the mind to hear those words
associated with his name. Does he not understand the enormous
visibility and earning potential that comes with being a part of the
U.S. Olympic team in any sport. That is how Olympic athletes make
their money. Visibility and fame breeds sponsor contracts and
endorsements. Like Doug Gottlieb said, “Having those words come out
of your mouth is embarrassing.” I hope this doesn’t get out of
hand and Wade owns up to an obvious mistake in reasoning and
perception of reality before he tarnishes an otherwise stellar
reputation.
Is This Really Kevin Love’s World?
It seems like he just finished up a stellar prep career at Lake Oswego High School,
but Kevin Love is now in the discussion of NBA MVP candidates in only his fourth season. Love recently got banged up, so it’s time to reflect on his rise to the top of the NBA’s food chain –
Becoming a dominant inside/outside force with the desire to grab every rebound in sight!
Heck, the guy averaged 26 points and 13 rebounds – 4th and 2nd in the NBA respectively –
this season as a 23 year-old. His ability to stretch the defense with his long range shooting has allowed him to excel at a completely different level on the offensive end. He still gets a ribbing for putting up big numbers on a losing squad, but if Minnesota can continue to build around Love, they will turn that around quickly. They have a good nucleus of young talent – led by Love, Derrick Williams and Ricky Rubio – and the addition of a perimeter scorer and more front-court depth would make them a legitimate threat in the Western Conference.
Olympic Basketball
Luol Deng (Bulls), Ben Gordon (Pistons), and Byron Mullins (Bobcats) named
to Britain’s preliminary team for 2012 Olympic squad. They will be joining who again?
I know Canada has a men’s basketball team, but Great Britain? Who Knew?
Pac-12 Basketball
The nation’s top recruit, 6’6 Shabazz Muhammad staying out
West definitely alters the Pac-12 and makes UCLA the front runner for
the conference title, but he’s not the only reason. Fellow incoming
freshman, versatile 6’8 swingman Kyle Anderson and sweet shooting
6’5 Jordan Adams, are both big-time players that will combine
with Muhammad and solid group of returnees with plenty of size (the
Wear twins and Josh Smith are all 6’10) to be the most talented team
in the West. How well coach Ben Howland can meld these talented
newcomers with the frontcourt returnees will be the major factor in
the Bruins returning to the top of the Pac-12 standings.
Poor Kentucky – Losing so much talent to the NBA draft! Boo-Hoo!
Don’t feel too bad for Kentucky, as Coach John Calipari and the Wildcats have done it again, reloading the roster with the nation’s top recruiting class. 6’9 sophomore Kyle Wiltjer will be defending champion Kentucky’s top returnee after all the other Wildcats with playing experience decided to test the NBA draft waters. He will have plenty of talented newcomers to ease the transition next season.
6’10 Nerlens Noel, 6’7 Alex Poythress, 6’5 Archie Goodwin and 6’10 Willie Cauley
are top rated high school seniors in the class of 2012 that have all signed with Kentucky.
N.C. State transfer 6’2 sophomore PG Ryan Harrow will join them in Lexington next
season with two years of college under his belt. Harrow averaged 9 points and 3 assists
as a freshman for the Wolfpack before sitting out last season after transferring. Noel and
Poythress are already projected as potential lottery picks in the 2013 draft.
Wiltjer, with great touch and unlimited range, has the potential to develop into a
Ryan Anderson type shooter in the NBA. He could end up as a lottery pick in 2014
or 2015 if he works his body into NBA shape and improves his physique.
Football Notes
Running Backs in the NFL Draft
Does LaMichael James Have What it Takes?
I like LaMichael James‘ chances to excel at the next level as a
game-breaking third down back and return man. He may never be an
every down back, but he will produce and be effective at the next
level in the areas that I mentioned. His quick feet, shifty hips,
and uncanny ability to elude tackles and get to top speed in the
blink of an eye are perfectly suited for the NFL game. Some of the
other backs that are ranked ahead or near James on most draft boards;
Trent Richardson is a physical beast and one of the most
undervalued players to enter the NFL in years with the magnification
of the quarterback position over the past decade. He is a sure-fire
starter and every down workhorse with the ability to pop 50 and 60
yard gains in the blink of an eye. I really think that If Richardson
falls below the number three overall pick he will be the steal of
this draft. Doug Martin is an all-around superstar that is a
cross between Darren Sproles and Ray Rice. Small and powerful, but
quick and elusive, Martin can bang between the tackles or beat you
outside with his speed. A superb return man in college, Martin also
boasts above average hands and a great ability to read the defense.
David Wilson, Lamar Miller, and Chris Polk are solid runners
with good size and vision that will be effective carrying the ball
wherever they end up.
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