The Superstar experience (Part 2)

The most moving and streetwise advice at the adidas Superstar Camp in Georgia came from John Lucas. The former coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and top draft pick in the 1970’s impressed the hundreds of high school participants with his intimate knowledge of them and their games. He randomly picked out players from the crowd by face and was telling them about themselves. The crowd was stunned.

"I got all of you," he bragged. "And I’m telling you, I’ve been keeping an eye out for many of you. This is all about respect, and how you present yourself.

Lucas borrowed a do-rag (the piece of cloth players use to tie up their heads in) put it on his head, pulled his pants down to his hips, swaggered onstage and said "Wassup, dawg?" to the laughter of the participants.

"Now, if I were a college coach recruiting you, would you respect me?" he asked. "And if you don’t respect me, why would you act that way in front of me? You may be a damn good player, but ain’t nobody gonna recruit you if you don’t respect yourself or your coach."

As half of the participants were experiencing lectures, the other half had been going through drills designed to enhance their individual skills. Perimeter players were separated from post players, and each group was further subdivided and assigned a coach. After the lead coaches gave instructions, each set of players was given timed drills. Perimeter players were given dribbling and shooting drills, while big men were shown how to post up, face up, and get around defenders in the blocks. It was strenuous.

One habit that was formed was the reinforcement of the proper outlook on the experience. After each drill, the players were told to give themselves one. That meant a clap. If they were told to give themselves two, that meant two claps, and so on. If they were told to give themselves four, they would have to clap for themselves four times, and shout "Attitude!" so everyone could hear.

By July 9, the players were starting to feel nervous, since most of the big-name college coaches were there, keeping an eye on them. However, NCAA rules strictly forbade the coaches from making contact with the players, so they were assigned courtside seats of elevated viewing positions all around the seven courts being used. Some players were whispering to each other and pointing the coaches out behind their backs.

I had a brief encounter with Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who had just turned down a $40 million offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers two days before. The story was bannered in sports pages all over the world.

"I really didn’t think I was doing anything out of the ordinary," Coach K told The STAR reluctantly, obviously tired of all the attention the move received. "I just believe in the college game."

Also present were Texas Tech’s Bobby Knight, who sat in a corner and was often approached by other coaches who respected him despite his run-ins with college authorities when he was still coaching Indiana.

Three Chinese players made the camp after impressing scouts in the China edition last May. Unfortunately, 6’11" Guo Liye severly sprained his ankle on the second day, and had to have his foot placed in a cast. However, his two companions, 6’3" Zhi Luo and 6’7" Yi Li both made the All-Star Games with their outstanding performances. Zhi shocked coaches in the China adidas Superstar Camp by beating Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas in a friendly game of one-on-one, 8-7. Arenas asked that the game be extended, and defeated the youngster, 21-20.

Despite needing an interpreter, the two "imports did creditably well, averaging close to double figures in their games. The players saw action at least three times a day, and were herded onto buses for their meals back at the Marriott in Duluth, about a 20-minute drive from the Suwanee Sports Academy.

Most of the players in the adidas Superstar Camp were simply hoping for a shot at an athletic scholarship in a respected NCAA school. Some also dream of being among the illustrious graduates of this grassroots basketball program. They dream of being listed alongside such luminaries as Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby of the Denver Nuggets, LeBron James and Carlos Boozer of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Richard Hamilton and Chancey Billups of the Detroit Pistons, Austin Croshere and Al Harrington of the Indiana Pacers, Wally Sczerbiak of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and budding stars like Sebastian Telfair of the Portland Trail Blazers.

And if they wanted a chance to make their impossible dreams come true, they came to the right place.