More on Bird & Rabb

Edward Lewis writes after recently viewing Jabai Bird: "...Cal-bound 2013 guard Jabari Bird, didn't have his best week of basketball statistically, but he was by far the most Division I-ready player in the tournament. A noticeably more bulked up 6-feet, 175 pounds, Bird scored from every level, showcased some incredible athleticism at both ends of the floor, and was the best player on the court in every game..."

Lewis also wrote about Ivan Rabb so hit the free link.

Salesian and BOD post wins

Mitch Stephens reports on Salesian's 89-77 victory over a Marcus Lee-less Deer Valley behind 23 points from Jabari Bird. DV's Kendall Smith led all scorers with 35 points, including an amazing 22-22 from the foul line.

Bishop O'Dowd, led by 12 from Ivan Rabb, topped De La Salle 53-41.

Bird makes it official

Jeff Faraudo covers Jabari Bird's signing with California.

The Draft Express folks on Bird & Lee

Jonathan Givoney/Draft Express on some names you know: 

Jabari Bird

Strengths:
-Good size for a wing
-Frame should fill out nicely in time
-Good athlete
-Talented one on one player
-Can create his own shot with either hand
-Solid mid-range game
-Finishes well around the basket, sometimes in acrobatic fashion
-Excellent shooting mechanics
-Can make shots off the dribble or with feet set
-Elevates well creating separation from defender to get pull-up jumper off

Weaknesses:
-Average wingspan (measured 6-7)
-Lacks strength. Only 179 pounds. Will take time for body to fill out
-Needs to improve polish, experience-level in half-court
-Average ball-handler
-Can't consistently create good shots around the basket in the half-court at a high rate yet
-Settles for bad shots at times
-Outside shot prone to streakiness

Marcus Lee

Strengths:
-Has terrific height and length for a big man at 6-10 in shoes, with a 7-1 ½ wingspan
-Great frame that will fill out nicely in time
-Extremely athletic
-Excellent finisher. Dunks everything
-Very good shot-blocker. Good timing
-Solid offensive rebounder
-Finishes very well around the basket. Good hands
-Above average feel for game. Solid passer
-Plays with solid effort. Looks competitive

Weaknesses:
-Only 199 pounds. Lacks strength in a serious way
-Pretty raw on both ends of the floor
-Fundamentals are average, especially on defense
-Doesn't box out opponents
-Average defensive rebounder
-Struggles to keep stronger big men from posting up. Doesn't deny position early in possessions
-Limited scorer
-No post game. Lacks strength to back anyone down, doesn't have any real footwork
-Doesn't show much of a perimeter game
-Not as good a rebounder as he should be

The Big Three

For the oldtimers out there, how long has it been (if there ever was a time) that three high school talents from the Bay Area and in the same senior class were also projected to enjoy substantial careers in the NBA?

We are speaking of Jabari Bird, Aaron Gordon and Marcus Lee.

Granted a lot of hard work still needs to be applied and bodies will need maturing but each of these talents will likely, barring injury or something else unforseen, be heading to The Big Show prior to a full four years of college ball.

Each is also projected to be an impact talent in the NBA and not a reserve.

Recent draftees Damian Lillard, Jared Cunningham and Orlando Johnson will soon be plying their trade in the NBA which makes it a must for following their respective careers and impacts. There is already chatter of Lillard in the running for Rookie of the Year.

But the Bird - Gordon - Lee troika is widely heralded, having as CDickens once wrote, great expectations.

All this also brings up another issue: who, if anyone, is being overlooked at the moment and will bust out during their college days similarly to the Lillard's coming to the fore?

Being desired is enjoyable to a point

From Mitch Stephens: "Just off phone w/No. 22 national hoop recruit Jabari Bird, who confirmed commit. to Cal. He said process draining and this is "giant relief" 

After a while, the situation loses its attractiveness and the participants just want it to be over. It certainly starts out fun and flattering with all sorts of coaches in pursuit but very few kids end up enjoying the never-ending communication bombardment.

Bird and Gordon observations

Two tweets from Husky Haul:

Jabari Bird has been a Cal lean for about a year. My guess is he would have committed long ago if AG also favored Cal. But AG doesn't. 

and

UW would have had more of a shot with Bird if they could have got an early commitment from AG. But AG is in no rush to commit. 

Bird sez it's Cal

Jeff Faraudo has the details of Jabari Bird's Cal announcement.

Bird cancels rest of visits

Everyone and his brother is reporting that Jabari Bird, just after tripping to Cal, has cancelled the remainder of his planned official visits.

Also worth noting: his father is a Berkeley alumnus.

Meteorologists are reporting the presence of a sadness cloud currently enveloping Seattle.

But still have to think that Aaron Gordon is Seattle bound.

Does Bird's commit have any effect on Marcus Lee?

The gut says Lee leaves the Bay Area.

Bird/Gordon

Adam Zagoria with the 'latest' on Bird/Gordon: "Bird lists Cal and Washington as his top two options and Gordon has said Washington is his top choice, followed by Arizona and Kentucky."

It seems like everything that could be asked of and said by the two young men has been in print and on video. How 'bout a media moratorium until each makes his decision, yep, us included? Give them a respite.

A photo of AG & JB

Kelly Kline offers an off-the-court photo of Aaron Gordon and Jabari Bird at the Elite 24 event.

It all happens on September 29

Coach Lorenzo Romar will be praying for a fantastically blue sky, golden orbed day on September 29 as Aaron Gordon and Jabari Bird will be tripping to the Emerald City.

If it's always sunny in Philadelphia, why not Seattle?

When a dynamic duo isn't or is

SLAM quotes Jabari Bird as possibly being a package deal, but not really, with Aaron Gordon.

Jabari Bird has a plan

"My goal is to do it within two years," he said. "If it takes longer, so be it. Whenever I'm good enough"  -- Jabari Bird talking about the NBA once he's entered college during an August 16 interview (a Rivals sub is required) with Justin Rowland.

Bird has four September sojourns

Percy Allen offers the dates and destination of Jabari Bird's four September trips.

Plus, he has a bit on Aaron Gordon.

Bird says I'm not feeling it enough to Coach Sean Miller

Interesting how these tweets are being worded -- now it's Jabari Bird who is no longer being recruited by Arizona.

Only way that happens is if Bird and Company first says thanks for the interest but no thanks, as with Marcus Lee as the comment listed at his recent article noted.

Watching Jabari Bird

The Coast2Coast folks video highlight Jabari Bird.

It's two for Bird

Via Ashley Nevel: "Jabari Bird just told me it would take a coaching change or something crazy for him to change his mind about Washington and Cal"

Bird leads Soldiers to EYBL title

Raphielle Johnson has the details of the Oakland Soldiers capturing the Peach Jam event as Jabari Bird clutched it at the end.

Adam Zagoria has more.

Gordon and Bird convincing the national scouts

Brian Bosworth/NBE Basketball was impressed @ Peach Jam by a pair of NorCal talents:

Aaron Gordon (Oakland Soldiers 2013) – After missing a large time of time this AAU season with a foot injury, Gordon seemed determined to erase any question marks about his health moving forward. He was better than ever before making plays from the wing that weren’t in his arsenal 12 months ago. Gordon flashed off the dribble skills that firmly project him as a SF going forward and make him an even more devastating player than I previously thought. In addition to his improved handle, Gordon remains the most electric finisher in high school basketball around the rim. He drew more than a few Blake Griffin comparisons after a series of ridiculous dunks in transition.

Jabari Bird (Oakland Soldiers 2013) – Bird has elite size for the wing standing 6’6” with unusual length. He showed a complete scoring package in a morning victory making 3-pointers, midrange pull-ups, and smooth dunks at the rim. These skills have always been there for Bird but he was far more demanding in calling for the ball and forcing his teammates to run offense through him. For some players this could be viewed as a negative but for a young player of Bird’s talent wanting and demanding the ball is exactly what he should be doing. As long he continues being confident and aggressive, there is seemingly nothing Bird can’t do offensively.