Tag: NBA

Talking hoops with former Union star Geno Carlisle

The 2nd annual Red Hawk Showcase is right around the corner.

Geno Carlisle with the Portland Trail Blazers
Geno Carlisle/Portland TrailBlazers (photo: Willamette Weekly)

One of the best high school teams in West Michigan will host a full day of basketball on February 6th at Union HS on Grand Rapids’ west side.

I recently went back and forth with my childhood friend and former Union Red Hawk star Geno Carlisle to talk about his time at Grand Rapids Union and the grind that kids playing now can look forward to in college and beyond.

With the Red Hawks’ boys team ranked #1 in the area on my list, the former Northwestern and Cal-Berkeley star addressed his start at Union after transferring across town from Ottawa Hills,

“My time at Union was exhilarating to say the least. It presented me with a feeling of both fascination and uncertainty. This was mainly because two rivals I’d grown up battling, Thomas Kelly and Thomas Kilgore, would soon become allies. I adapted very quickly to my transition to Union. I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of culture, the size of the school, as well as how well I got along with mostly everyone on the team. It was a school full of spirit and personality that started from the principal Mr. Maben to the Athletic Director Mr. Walker and on down to the teachers. They really had a genuine concern for their students and athletes alike!”

Carlisle went on, turning to the dominant basketball team,

“As far as our basketball team, we were loaded! So much so that I don’t even think we realized it. We had 3 future D1 guards for major Universities with Thomas Kelly, Thomas Kilgore, and myself. Athletic wingman like Terry Peak, dead eye 3 point shooters like Akai Smith, and a great head coach in Ernie Johnson. We really had a lot of good times both on and off the court.”

With the Red Hawks, ranked #20 in mLive.com’s HS rankings, coming off a 54-33 loss to #12 Muskegon, this 7-2 Union squad has a couple steps to climb to play with the state’s best. Carlisle told me,

“I think the biggest challenge in high school playoffs is the feeling that if you lose, your done. I’m not sure how it is now but back then, in city league championships and regionals, if you lost it was over. So there is a much greater pressure to perform. At the same time, those are the moments you live for so the pressure just turns to adrenaline. That’s when the cream rises to the top.”

You don’t just get to get there, to the top, that is. Carlisle advice on continued improvement and dedication,

“My advice for kids to get better is to continuously work on their game. All facets… I use to have my mother drop me off at the YMCA around 7 am on Saturday morning and I will stay there until 9 or ten pm. I would pick a spot and shoot 50 shots or 100 from that one spot until I like the way the ball swished. Then I would spend hours dribbling, imagining I was surrounded by my rivals. I would imagine the crowd. Fall asleep on the court…”

“And after that quick nap?”, I asked.

“Wake up and then play and practice some more. I was obsessed and in love with the smell of the ball and the gym. In love with the stories that I’s heard about great players. I would meditate and imagine myself doing the things I’d heard about. That’s what’s missing with players today. They think drills will make them great but just because you can use a paint brush it doesn’t make you an artist. You have to have a love in your spirit to the point that it’s no longer work but a fascination. The most important advice I would give a kid would be confidence. I wasn’t the best in high school but you couldn’t make me believe that. From 11yrs old til the time I left I thought I was the most prolific scorer and unstoppable dribbler on the planet and no one could convince me otherwise. I was overconfident but it was also based on my training. Confidence and hard work is everything.”

Carlisle should know a bit about confidence and hard work. He chased his dreams, starred in high school and college and made his way to the pros. Yes, even the NBA.

I went on to pester him to give me his GR Top 5, but he’d only go as far as,

“It’s very hard to Rank a top 5 because I was always fascinated by players that came before me, like my father Clarence and uncle Elmo Carlisle. I would always hear about legends before me so I would always go old school for my picks.”

Forcefully, I leaned on the keyboard and pressed for more.

“If I had to pick 5 while I was playing,

  • Thomas Kelly – Union
  • Thomas Kilgore – Union
  • Ennis Young – Ottawa Hills
  • Jermaine Carter – Creston
  • Shawn Kneeland – East Kentwood

in no particular order.”

That’s three teammates, a rival and a neighbor.

He made the GSCeltic Top 10 in GR list, most likely because of his infectious smile, and Geno always has a minute for an old friend from the streets of childhood and a “Hi!” for my dad every time we talk. That’s why I love this dude.

Check out a loaded lineup of high school basketball on February 6th at GR Union HS.

Tickets are $10 for the entire day.

  • 1pm: Stevensville-Lakeshore vs. Wayland
  • 3pm: #16 Detroit Allen Academy vs. Northpointe Christian
  • 4:30pm: New Haven vs. Lowell
  • 6pm: Detroit Cornerstone vs. #20 Union
  • 7:30pm: Saginaw vs. #5 Godwin Heights

 

30 years later, Pt. 3: Rick Carlisle

Considering those of us here in Michigan have our own fine opinion of Rick Carlisle and the job he did in the Motor City, I’ll do my best to be the Celtics homer I am to describe what possibilities this ‘86 Celtic has in the upcoming 2015-16 NBA season.

Born and raised in New York state, Carlisle attended Lisbon HS before finding his way to the University of Virginia to play alongside the likes of Ralph Sampson and Olden Polynice. Drafted in the 3rd round at number 70 overall by the Celtics, he played 3 years in Boston, playing in 3 NBA Finals, before spending a season each in New York and New Jersey. After only 5 games in New Jersey playing for Bill Fitch, Carlisle was waived by the Nets before coach asked him on the same call to add him to the coaching staff. Thus, his coaching career began. Later, he be called upon by Celtic teammate Larry Bird to be an assistant in Indiana with the Pacers.

After a long run of Eastern Conference Finals appearances with the Pistons, he was being tossed to the side in favor of the original coaching maverick, Larry Brown. Carlisle soon found his footing and again made a new home office in the vicinity of fellow Celtic and Pacers GM Bird. Friends from their time in Celtic green, Carlisle was an easy choice for Bird after his success with the Pistons. When Carlisle eventually took Dirk Nowitzki and a ragtag team of Mark Cuban’s Mavericks to an NBA Finals win, it was the icing on the cake and the notch needed to make writers and historians realize his true greatness as a coach.

After a year in which Dallas had the top offense in the League before making a franchise and team chemistry alteration in adding former Celtics mercurial point guard Rajon Rondo to the mix, the Mavericks are rife with salary-cap room and the ability to choose their direction for the future with only Dirk, Chandler Parsons, Devin Harris and Gal Mekel on the books for under $30M and Monte Ellis($9M) and Raymond Felton($4.5M) holding player options for next year. With an expected salary cap of over $67M, the Mavericks are in position to chase marquee free-agent, LaMarcus Aldridge, who is from Texas, as well as Kevin Love and others.

If the Mavericks are able to move a couple pieces and sign a higher-tier free agent, I expect them back in the Playoffs in the deep Western Conference. But barring a major free-agent signing or a spectacularly unexpected trade, the Mavericks will not be making the move back to the NBA Finals next year.

(photo credit: nbae getty images)

30 years later, part 2: Larry Bird

How easy is it to figure out this story? The greatest shooter of all-time ends up in the front office back in his home state, loses his best player for a year due to a freak injury during Olympic training and then his team fights their way to a deciding playoff/lottery game in the season’s final day.

We all know what Larry Legend did for the Celtics back in the ‘80s, but what he’s got going into next year for the Pacers is a force to be reckoned with. After losing almost a full season to a horrific (at least, on video) injury to his leg, Paul George returns to an Indiana Pacers team that nearly made the Playoffs this year despite numerous setbacks. With key figures like David West, George Hill and the new cast of role players returning as well, Frank Vogel looks to have a roster that can get him back to the Playoffs and quite possibly contend for an Eastern Conference title. A late-lottery pick and an expiring contract could be the bait the Bird needs to capture(trade for) another prized star, possibly Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge. The key will be health, as it has been for years in this league. Another factor may be the possible movement of Roy Hibbert, Luis Scola or one of the many “unknown” guards.

I look for the Pacers to make a staunch comeback in the 2015-16 season and end up in the Top 5 in the East. With a couple moves here and there, the Legend could once again have this team in the NBA Finals.

30 years later, Part 1: Danny Ainge

Gritty, reliable hustler. It showed back in ‘86 and it’s shown in his undeniable need to make the next big move, acquiring players, contracts and draft picks that are both desirable and talented, as well as being able to liquidate assets if necessary. We saw that this year with the acquisition of Brandon Wright in the Rajon Rondo deal, moving him to Phoenix when the opportunity to add one of the most desired player contracts in the league arose in lightning bug Isaiah Thomas.

2015: Boston owns both their 1st round pick and the Clippers pick(Doc Rivers), as well as their own and the 76ers’ 2nd round pick.

2016: Boston owns their pick, the Nets’ 1st round pick(Pierce/Garnett), the Mavericks’ 1st round pick(protected 1-7 until 2021) and the Timberwolves 1st round pick(protected 1-12, or becomes 2nd rd. picks in 2016 & 2017).2nd round picks from Cleveland, Dallas, Miami and Philadelphia are also on the board of possibilities. Boston will lose its’ 2nd round pick to either Memphis or Utah in 2016.

2017: Boston has the right to swap picks with Brooklyn(Pierce/Garnett), but would convey its’ own 2nd round pick(protected 31-45 or extinguished). Boston owns 2nd round picks from Cleveland and the Clippers, as well as their own.
Although draft picks aren’t the asset they once were, think 1992(Shaq, ‘Zo, Laettner, Sprewell) & 2003(LeBron, Carmelo, Bosh, DWade), they can be the “raise the bet” to get a deal done(see Brandon Knight to Phoenix). When players like have to decide where to sign next year, the ability to complete a sign-and-trade, though more difficult than in past NBA off seasons, can be the edge needed to get a top or 2nd tier player to build a franchise around. Ainge has the assets, the financial freedom and the cigars to get the Green back to the Finals.

(Photo CREDIT: FOCUS ON SPORT)

LeBron: Winning one for good-bye?

Can a title allow LeBron to ask The Question?

With the enormous crowds tuning in to watch LeBron James in the NBA Finals, one has to wonder whether or not this may be the last time we’ll see him in Cleveland, again.

After trying for years to lead Cleveland to the promised land of NBA Champions, James took to the airwaves to make The Decision, a mis-guided attempt to raise some money for the local Boys & Girls Club in New England where the event was aired live and the King made the ultimate choice to “take my talents to South Beach.”

Cleveland was devastated and heart-broken as their local hero had somehow turned his back on a city, if only by trying to find the way to an NBA title and grow as a person, player and brand. James went to four straight NBA Finals, winning the middle two, and now has “come home” to Cleveland to lead the Cavaliers to the promised land he himself had to learn how to find by going to Miami. With the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals and on the verge of taking a 2-1 lead with a Game 4 at home and the opponents nearing the cracking point even though they’d won 67 regular season games, I think we may be seeing the last of LeBron in Cleveland for the second time in his career.

If James can lead the rag-tag bunch of junkyard dogs to an NBA title without their second and third-best players, All-Stars Kyrie Irving(kneecap) and Kevin Love(shoulder), he has accomplished what he’s gone there to do, which is bring the first major league title to Cleveland since 1964. Is that enough for the King to make the move into free-agency and ask the Cleveland fan base, “Can I go to Hollywood, sign with the Lakers and be America’s cross-over superstar?”

Although Cleveland’s initial shock and disappointment of losing him again will be drastic, the long-lasting effects of allowing and, in fact, pushing your local-star, mega-talent out the door and into the spotlight that he deserves if that is the path he and his family would so choose. Jumping into the movie business is something that we’ve already seen him do with the release of the Trainwreck trailer during the Finals. He’s personable and friendly, his smile allows fans to believe him. His ability to perform in the clutch transfers to the ultimate spotlight of the Showtime gold. Stars flock to stars and James being in LA would be great for the league, even though they’re doing fine with stars in small- to medium-size markets. If he can win with these current Cavaliers playing in the Finals, he can win with anyone. Let’s get him that challenge back and get him out West for a couple years. Being added to headline at Point Forward with Kobe Bryant, Julius Randle and projected pick Jahlil Okafor, the Lakers could focus their free-agent needs on lengthy defenders and 3-point shooters with ball handling skills. (Kobe has 1 year left, he can tie Mike with 6 rings. Don’t be so sure he wouldn’t jump on board.)

But, why does the Cleveland fan have to take all the pain? Why would they say “go to LA”? What could possibly stop the animosity that occurred last time he left? The King is theirs, he always will be. See Jim Brown & Rock n’ Roll. He would have given them their first major title in 51 years. I also believe, no matter what the situation, that LeBron will someday buy the Cavaliers from Dan Gilbert, more likely sooner than later. They’ve dealt with the Drive, the Fumble, the Decision and the Manziel fiasco, but even this Celtics’ fan says let’s help the ‘Mistake by the Lake’ save the ‘More Flames for James’ t-shirts and accept the fact that the best player ever should be in the spotlights of Hollywood.

Let’s hope that once the Cavaliers raise the Larry O’Brien trophy, it’s Showtime!

30 years later, the ‘86 Celtics still shape the League

As we near the end of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs, I wanted to take a minute and reflect on the greatest team of my lifetime and the likelihood those same Celtics that were dominant in my childhood will have a major impact on the NBA Playoffs in my first year of being “a man.” Although I’m sad that this year’s Celtics team was swept out of the Playoffs, I have a good feeling that they’ll be back next year with a #1 option to go with this collection of B+ players.

Series begins 5/1/15…

GR’s Top 10: #4 Geno Carlisle

#4 Geno Carlisle Ottawa Hills 6′4 G

Geno Carlisle has played in a wide variety of places when it comes to his basketball career. My favorite is the driveway of my childhood home near the Grand Rapids/Kentwood border. Here in GR, many know Carlisle’s skills whether they remember him at GR Union or at Ottawa Hills. While the basketball scene has always been doted on by the local media, Carlisle didn’t get the amount of press deserved for a talented kid coming out of Grand Rapids.

Upon leaving GR in 1994, Geno went off to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He led the Wildcats in scoring 14 times during his Freshman season and was named to the All-Big Ten First Team after his sophomore year, in which he averaged nearly 15 points. Always searching for the next challenge, Carlisle transferred to Cal-Berkeley. Having to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules, Carlisle was selected to compete on the USA Select 22-&-under team that faced off against “Dream Team 3″ at the Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the Detroit Pistons. Carlisle was scoreless in six minutes of play.

When he arrived in the PAC-10 in 1997, Carlisle led the Golden Bears in scoring and was named to the All-Newcomer team. To follow that up, during his senior year in 1998-99, Geno led Cal to the postseason NIT Tournament title at Madison Square Garden in NYC.

Going undrafted in the NBA meant Carlisle would begin his professional career in the CBA with the Rockford Lightning. Carlisle left the CBA to chase his dream internationally until 2002 when he returned to the newly formed NBDL and the Mobile Revelers. Geno returned to the NBA Summer League in 2004 with the Orlando Magic and played in six games for the Portland TrailBlazers in the 2004-05 season, making his debut on November 17, 2004.

Carlisle’s father, Clarence, was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1973, but was released before the season.

(photo credit: Willamette Weekly)

GR’s Top 10: #6 Steve Scheffler

#6 Steve Scheffler Forest Hills Northern 6’9 C

Steve Scheffler graduated from FHN in 1986 and even my 8th grade basketball coach couldn’t stop him in the paint. The big lefty was trouble for opponents here and at Purdue for Gene Keady.

Drafted 39th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, he played 7 seasons in the NBA, averaging 1.9 points. After seeing action in 50 games over his first 3 years with Charlotte, Sacramento and Denver, he played in 124 more over the next 5 years as a SuperSonic and ended his career in Seattle. In the 1996 NBA Finals, he saw action against Michael Jordan’s Bulls. Scheffler’s brother, Tom, played at Purdue and then with the Portland TrailBlazers during the 1985-86 season.

Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

SEATTLE – JUNE 12: Steve Scheffler #55 of the Seattle SuperSonics battles for a rebound in Game Four of the 1996 NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls at Key Arena on June 12, 1996 in Seattle, Washington. The Sonics won 107-86.

GR’s Top 10: #7 Ben Handlogten

#7 Ben Handlogten GR South Christian 6’10 C

Ben Handlogten ruled the O-K Conference at South Christian. At 6’10, he dominated the local scene before heading off to Western Michigan University.

After not being drafted in 1996, he signed a free-agent contract with the Detroit Pistons, but was cut before the season started. He played for the local CBA team, Grand Rapids Hoops in 1996-1997, then spent four years playing in Asia. He returned to the States in 2003, signing with the Utah Jazz. He was traded for Tom Gugliotta in 2004, waived by Phoenix and subsequently signed by utah again for the remainder of the season. Handlogten also played for the New Jersey Nets in November 2005. In 38 games over 2 seasons, he averaged 12.3 minutes and 4.3 points.

(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)