McDonalds’s All-American
Expectations remain high for a high school player who is selected a McDonald’s
All-American. This annual spring event was first held in 1977; in 1978 the East-West format was adopted. The game was begun to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities and Ronald McDonald House programs. Being honored is not always a guarantee to play at the highest level. A number of McDonald players have managed successful collegiate careers minus play at the NBA level. The list of honorees that managed outstanding NBA careers reads like a “Who’s Who List of NBA All-Pros.” Below is just a partial list of former McDonald‘s All-Americans.

Michael Jordan
Patrick Ewing
Kobe Bryant
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
LeBron James
Dwight Howard
Chris Paul

Wikipedia

Bits n Pieces
Nerlens Noel emerged from Kentucky with a defensive prowess, he lacked an offensive game. His late season collegiate injury has delayed his rookie year in the NBA. He’s returned to the court during the 2014 NBA Summer League games. The 76ers hope his game will raise to the level of former Kentucky center Anthony Davis. The same statement would be considered of Davis, he arrived from Kentucky with a defensive mindset and limited offensive skills. Davis has worked on his game and is now a dependable offensive threat for the Pelicans. Davis had a monster game in an overtime win against the Celtics this past season. He scored 40 points and grabbed 21 rebounds while blocking three shoots. The possibility of an Embiid-Noel defensive front line is exciting.

Funny we always hear the same names mentioned for NBA jobs. You know who they are, Coach K., Billy Donovan, John Calipari and someone I’m omitting. I’m not sayin’ it can’t occur however these coaches are entrenched at their respective universities. Would the challenge or dollars ever be great enough to lure them to the NBA I can’t answer that question. This I do know, I tire of the media headlines every year at the end of the NBA season.

I will detail my psychic abilities for you, I was asked on Thursday prior to Friday’s
announcement the LeBron decision. I said; “I believe LeBron will return to the Heat, Dwayne Wade will sign a reduced contract and Chris Bosh will sign with the Rockets.” I have a great ability to see into the future----right?

Philly fans might believe NBA TV broadcaster Joel Meyers should keep his day job. At half-time of the Bucks-Cavs Summer League game he and analyst Reggie Miller were discussing rookies. Miller mentioned Joel Embiid and Meyers said; “We might not see him on the court this year, you get to red-shirt in Philadelphia.”

Speaking of LeBron did you note the “world stopped” prior to LeBron’s Friday decision. Sure there were news reports of moves but everything began moving once LeBron indicated he was headed back to Cleveland. A wealth of trades and free-agent signings were announced after his decision. 

The Eastern Conference (revised)
Once upon a time I wrote the Heat would not repeat as conference champions. I prefaced my belief although at the time I believed the LeBron/Wade/Bosh tandem would remain. We know the current history, LeBron has returned to the Cavs leaving a “Big Two” unless Luol Deng makes it another “Big Three.” There could be a new champ in 2015 and it might even be the “new” Cavs. The Eastern Conference is now wide open it would appear. Will the Pacers seeing the opportunity rise to the forefront? As for the Bulls they have at least two offensive additions missing from the team last season.

The arrival of rookie Doug McDermott and Pau Gasol arrival should relieve the one area missing from last season----an offensive presence. A healthy Derrick Rose would also aid the cause too.  It’s likely the Nets, Hawks and Hornets make the playoffs again but I cannot believe any of the three being viable contenders. As for the Nets they add Robin Lopez returning from a mid-season injury and subtract the veteran Paul Pierce now a member of the Wizards. The Hawks continue to make changes but will their on court play improve enough to become champions? The mystery team for me are the Wizards, they were quite impressive making the playoffs. In addition the Wizards re-signed Gortat, with Nene and the speedy John Wall might pose quite a formidable lineup. The Pierce-Ariza is a plus/minus for them. Finally we arrive at the LeBron led Cavs, as he indicated in his statement “they may not win a championship but should contend for the conference championship.” .