Shabazz Muhammad Wins MVP in 2012 McDonald's All-American Game

[Built Ford Tough]

http://nbagrapevine.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/e6af0_Shabazz_Muhammad_McDonalds_2012_Presswire_1-302x202.jpg

 

Shabazz Muhammad is the No.2 ranked recruit in ESPN's rankings. His performance—a performance that earned him MVP honors in the 2012 McDonald's All-American game—validated that ranking.

 

In a game full of high school stars from all across the country, Muhammad was a cut above the rest. Even before the game tipped off, Muhammad's highly competitive nature was on full display. In a game where the vast majority of players are out to have a good time, laughing and joking amongst themselves, Muhammad stood out. During warm-up, he was completely focused on the game.

 

He was not laughing and joking with teammates. He was not high-fiving and smiling.

 

What he was doing was getting ready to dominate, and dominate he did.

 

Muhammad set the tone early by scoring 9 of the West's first 11 points including a three pointer, a dunk and converting an ally-oop pass from teammate Marcus Paige. In addition to his scoring, Muhammad was attacking the glass and playing with more intensity defensively than anybody else on the floor. The result was the West team jumping out to an early lead.

 

At the end of the first half, Muhammad had 15 points to lead the West.

 

When the second half began, Muhammad would once again set the tone by sparking a run that would see the West increase its lead to 20 points before heading to the bench. With Muhammad on the bench, the East team would go on a run by increasing their defensive pressure, which resulted in multiple turnovers from the West. They would cut the lead down to 12.

 

Upon re-entering the game, Muhammad would drive into the paint and hit a floater to extend the West's lead back to 14. However, the East would not lay over and would continue their pressure defense.

 

The lead would get cut to five with 1:30 left, but Muhammad once again answered with a basket—this time a dunk off of a feed from Rasheed Sulaimon. This would be Muhammad's last bucket of the game as he would shortly exit the game for the final time and the West would end up coming away with a 106-102 point victory.

 

Muhammad would finish with 21 points and 6 rebounds but it was his demeanor on the court that stood out as much as his final stats.

 

Make no mistake about it, Shabazz Muhammad was a star amongst stars tonight.

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1123754-shabazz-muhammad-wins-mvp-in-2012-mcdonalds-all-american-game

 

 

 

Just a quick recap I wrote after watching the game. I almost didn't even bother posting it here and was going to post it in the McD AA game thread, but I figured I have this forum and might as well use it.

[Make It Naaaashty]

Guaranteed that shit. Really hope this man goes to Duke.

[Built Ford Tough]

Guaranteed that shit. Really hope this man goes to Duke.

 

According to the broadcast (not sure if you watched the game or not) he has cut UNLV and Kansas from the list, which just leaves Duke, Kentucky and UCLA. From what they were saying, they believe that UCLA is the frontrunner. I think Duke was in 2nd and Kentucky 3rd, but I'm not 100% sure about that one.

 

I do know they believe UCLA has the edge right now. Watching him and Kyle Anderson together next year would be amazing. Anderson feeding Muhammad would definitely make for a lot of great highlights.

[EastCoastNiner]

According to the broadcast (not sure if you watched the game or not) he has cut UNLV and Kansas from the list, which just leaves Duke, Kentucky and UCLA. From what they were saying, they believe that UCLA is the frontrunner. I think Duke was in 2nd and Kentucky 3rd, but I'm not 100% sure about that one.

 

I do know they believe UCLA has the edge right now. Watching him and Kyle Anderson together next year would be amazing. Anderson feeding Muhammad would definitely make for a lot of great highlights.

 

He's not going to UCLA. Only a complete moron would go there right now.

[Flash]

I'd bet money on him going to UCLA at this point. There's an Adidas connection with him IIRC with his sister and that's playing a big part in this for him along with the chance at playing with Parker and Anderson.

[Built Ford Tough]

He's not going to UCLA. Only a complete moron would go there right now.

 

I know the program is in complete shambles, but on the other hand, could you imagine the props he would get if he were to be the one to "bring the storied UCLA program back to prominence"?

 

With so many of these young players trying to build a "brand" before even stepping foot in the NBA, the possibility of bringing UCLA back into the national spotlight would go a long way in that.

 

I don't claim to know anything about Muhammad's intentions off the court so this type of thing may not even appeal to him, but if it does, it is a great opportunity. The guy is going to be a top 3 pick in the draft next year regardless of which school he goes to anyways, so its not like his choice of school will hurt his draft stock.

 

Again, I'm not saying this is the case. I'm just throwing it out there as a possible reason.

[Make It Naaaashty]

According to the broadcast (not sure if you watched the game or not) he has cut UNLV and Kansas from the list, which just leaves Duke, Kentucky and UCLA. From what they were saying, they believe that UCLA is the frontrunner. I think Duke was in 2nd and Kentucky 3rd, but I'm not 100% sure about that one.

 

I do know they believe UCLA has the edge right now.

Watching him and Kyle Anderson together next year would be amazing. Anderson feeding Muhammad would definitely make for a lot of great highlights.

 

I'm hoping that Rivers would stay another year and maybe team up with Shabazz but I'm pretty sure that Rivers is declaring for the draft, if not already has.

 

I don't like Calipari so I don't really want to see Shabazz make that team stronger than it already is. UCLA would be fine too because of that combo as you said but Id like to see him give Duke a shot with or without Rivers.

[Built Ford Tough]

I'm hoping that Rivers would stay another year and maybe team up with Shabazz but I'm pretty sure that Rivers is declaring for the draft, if not already has.

 

I don't like Calipari so I don't really want to see Shabazz make that team stronger than it already is. UCLA would be fine too because of that combo as you said but Id like to see him give Duke a shot with or without Rivers.

 

Rivers is gone for sure. He has declared already, will be hiring an agent (or already has, I'm not sure) and everything.

 

I can definitely agree about Cal. It would be nice if we had one season where he didn't manage to have an absolutely stacked recruiting class. Hell, they already have the 2nd ranked class despite still being in on guys like Muhammad, Noel and Bennett, all of which are ranked #1 at their positions and are all in the top 10.

 

Poythress, Gooden and Cauley is good enough as is.

 

I can't agree about Duke, though. Seeing him tear UNC apart at least 2 times next year would not be something I'd enjoy, haha.

[Flash]

UCLA is the easiest sell in college basketball by far, especially for a one and done.

[JYD]

UCLA is the easiest sell in college basketball by far, especially for a one and done.

...How so?

[Flash]

...How so?

 

Beautiful campus, beautiful women, one of the nicest cities in LA and in one of the nicest areas in LA. Not just that, but they just renovated their arena and UCLA has more basketball tradition than any other school in the country by far. Not only that but you throw in Kyle Anderson and Tony Parker in the mix for next year?

 

Its an easy, easy sell.

[Built Ford Tough]

For a prospect of Muhammad's calibre (ie. a surefire top 3 pick) I agree it is an easy sell.

 

However, do you think for a lesser prospect who intends to be a one-and-done (say late lottery/mid 1st round like an Eric Bledsoe was) do you think that UCLA is an easier sell than Kentucky? Cal has spat out a ridiculous amount of 1st round picks in his short time at Kentucky and even when he wasn't at a power conference school he was still getting top recruits prepared for the NBA. Do you think that would weigh more heavily than the UCLA factors (which, I agree with by the way) listed above?

 

 

 

PS: One thing about Parker is that he hasn't actually declared yet. Not sure if you are just going off the assumption he goes to UCLA or if you thought he had signed already.

[Flash]

For a prospect of Muhammad's calibre (ie. a surefire top 3 pick) I agree it is an easy sell.

 

However, do you think for a lesser prospect who intends to be a one-and-done (say late lottery/mid 1st round like an Eric Bledsoe was) do you think that UCLA is an easier sell than Kentucky? Cal has spat out a ridiculous amount of 1st round picks in his short time at Kentucky and even when he wasn't at a power conference school he was still getting top recruits prepared for the NBA. Do you think that would weigh more heavily than the UCLA factors (which, I agree with by the way) listed above?

 

 

 

PS: One thing about Parker is that he hasn't actually declared yet. Not sure if you are just going off the assumption he goes to UCLA or if you thought he had signed already.

 

I've heard Parker is a UCLA lean but that Ohio State is making a huge push. IMO UCLA pulls of the trio.

 

IMO UK is an easy sell as well but UCLA just has so much going for it in terms of location, climate, women and even with everything going on its still UCLA. These guys all saw them in the Final 4 a few years back.

 

I just don't think Howland has ever made an effort for one and done's. UCLA would absolutely kill it if they went after these top kids like that who are leaving after a year no matter where they go.

 

IMO it goes:

 

1. UCLA

2. UK

2B. UNC

[Warren2ThaG]

Kentucky might get him for sure my friend said

[magicbalala245]

Don't forget about Jordan Adams who has committed to UCLA already. Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson, & possibly Muhammad, & Tony Parker would be just wow.

[Built Ford Tough]

One thing that would worry me about Tony Parker going to UCLA is the possible influence of a Josh Smith on him.

 

On one hand, Smith is a very talented big who would help Parker a lot by simply just battling each other in practice.

 

On the other hand, Smith's work ethic and conditioning is terrible. Parker already had concerns about his conditioning and if Smith's laziness rubs off on him at all that would be a disaster waiting to happen.

 

Of course, this is assuming Smith stays at UCLA and his attitude or dedication continue to be shitty, both of which are far from guaranteed.

 

Then again, even if that were the case, Muhammad is the kind of fierce competitor who would be all over laziness. From everything I've seen and read of him, he would not tolerate any of that crap and would make sure his teammates worked their asses off.

[Flash]

BFT, idk if you've heard Smith's quotes since the season ended but I think the lightbulb might've gone off in his head. He sounds extremely motivated for next season.

[Built Ford Tough]

BFT, idk if you've heard Smith's quotes since the season ended but I think the lightbulb might've gone off in his head. He sounds extremely motivated for next season.

 

Meh.

 

I'll believe it when I see it. I've heard that kind of stuff way too often from players with similar track records to simply take his word for it.

 

I hope he does get his shit together because he is wasting a very impressive skillset (much like Renard Sidney) with his laziness. He could be an absolute force at this level if he were to get himself in shape and motivated.

[Flash]

Agreed. That'll be a real exciting team to watch if they get that trio. IMO they'd be a final 4 lock.

[Built Ford Tough]

Agreed. That'll be a real exciting team to watch if they get that trio. IMO they'd be a final 4 lock.

 

Even if they don't get that trio and just get Muhammad, I think they will be an Elite Eight team at worst (barring injury or anything like that). Anderson is going to have a Jalen Rose like impact next year in my opinion. He isn't as athletic as Rose was during his Michigan days, but other than that they are eerily similar.

 

Shabazz is basically a much more skilled MKG and look at how big of an impact he has had this year at Texas. Take MKG's aggressiveness and will to win, give him elite explosiveness and the ability to create off the bounce? Scary.

 

Throw in the Ware brothers, Adams and Josh Smith (even an unmotivated one still carves up space inside offensively and defensively) and you have a dynamic 6 man rotation and at the collegiate level, you really don't need a lot more than that.

 

EDIT: Kentucky, not Texas. Not sure why I had Texas on my mind when typing that, haha.

[Flash]

Shabazz reminds me a lot of Kobe for some reason. Not saying he's that level or ever will be, but his ridiculous intensity and competitiveness and skill set really remind me of Bean.

[Built Ford Tough]

Shabazz reminds me a lot of Kobe for some reason. Not saying he's that level or ever will be, but his ridiculous intensity and competitiveness and skill set really remind me of Bean.

 

The demeanor and competitive nature I can definitely see. Even in an All-Star game like the McDonald's game Muhammad was going all out trying to win while pretty much everybody else was joking around, laughing and just out there to have a good time. Bryant is the same in an All-Star game.

 

I see more Wade than Kobe in him, though. The explosiveness and relentlessness in attacking the rim is a lot more Wade than Kobe. Although a younger Kobe was a very aggressive player before he lost some athleticism, but even then, I see more Wade than Kobe in him.

 

Muhammad also has a somewhat shaky jumper like Wade did when he was at Marquette and came into the league, although I do think his jumper is much further along than Wade's was at this point of their respective development.

[Flash]

Not a bad combo to have lol