Would You Like Dunks With That?
Tuesday, March 29, 2005

By Jared Field

greatlakeshoops.com

Being an admitted basketball junkie hasn't achieved a whole lot for me in this life, and last night was no different. At fairly regular intervals during the 2005 McDonald's All-America Slamfest in Mishawaka, Indiana, the spectators were inundated with free stuff--I got nothing. (At least my friend, Hilary, took something for free off the face before settling for nothing.) But, getting nothing for free is hardly traumatic when I consider what I received for a mere ten bucks--plus 400 miles worth of gas. The McDonald's All-America Slamfest featured arguably the nation's 24 best high school basketball players on one court. This exhibition is always held two days prior to the actual All-America game and is extremely fan-friendly--especially for those lucky stiffs who got something for free.

After wading through an hour and a half of introductions, mindless vitriol and a three-point shooting contest, the main event was brought to the fore. As the players were warming up, the fans got a taste of what was to come. In fact, some of the dunks in warm-ups actually trumped the one during the actual competition. The contest, from the very start, really came down to two dunkers, Amir Johnson, Rick Pitino's prized recruit at Louisville, and Gerald Green, the player of the year heading to the NBA. (For the record, Duke recruit Josh McRoberts was actually leading going into the final round, but, the 6-10 pale post player was well out of his league.) In the end, Amir Johnson's missed dunk cost him the championship. His second dunk, one in which he sprinted the length of floor, leaping from the foul line and slamming it home, was given a perfect score. But, it was not enough to surmount Gerald Green's two made dunks. Gerald caught his second dunk off the backboard, taking the ball through his legs before slamming it home.

All-in-all it was a great night and well worth the ten dollars.

Random observations from the 2005 McDonald's All-America Slamfest:

--Most of these players decided to go college, rather than the NBA. What gives? Furthermore, none of these players committed to Ohio State, so I guess money isn't a paramount concern this year.

--The Weikamp Center, on the campus of Bethel College, was filled WELL beyond capacity. The crowd was implored to squeeze in as much as possible--I didn't move an inch. In the end, better than 100 people with tickets were turned away at the door. According to the South Bend Tribune, these patrons were given tickets to Wednesday's game. I guess coming late pays off sometimes, with all due respect to President Lincoln.

--I was very pleased with the performance of my favorite All-American, Bay City, Michigan's, Eric Devendorf. He ran out of time leaving an entire rack of balls and still scored 16 points in the three-point contest, two less than the winner's 18. Devendorf will make the graduation of Gerry McNamara a little more manageable for Syracuse fans.

--"He's not fat, he's Husky." The University of Connecticut is getting a veritable behemoth. Andrew Bynum is a 7 foot, 300 pound giant who will allow Josh Boone to play power forward next year, leaving Charley Villanueva to play the wing. That will be an amazing lineup and should be enough to get the Huskies back into the Final Four.  Unless of course, Villanueva and Bynum both head for the NBA.

--I failed to mention the names of the judges for the dunk contest: Ahman Green from the Green Bay Packers was in the house; Chris Thomas from Notre Dame's hoop squad was also
there along with former Irish star, Laphonso Ellis, and the "Real Deal" Evander Holyfield.

--Speaking of Holyfield, I couldn't help but to think about how many of the hundred people who were turned away at the door might have been Evander's illegitimate kids.

--I'm not done with you, Evander. I doubt I am the only spectator who appreciated your ability to answer four questions during your in-game interview with six words. You are a real piece of work.

--I saw a grown man run to the concession stand after the contest to be first in line for 50-cent hot dogs. I can only assume he didn't get any free stuff, either.

--The 50-cent hot dogs may have been the only "real deal" in the gym this night.

--Ronald McDonald scares children; I will never be convinced otherwise.

--To the trooper on Interstate 69 in southern Michigan:  You better get a laser gun, I could see you coming.