My homies in Motown approve of Crimson Bear star Carlos Boozer, and that's saying something.
They like to think the world of basketball revolves around the Detroit Public School League, with a few select suburban teams thrown in for good measure. For years I've told them about Boozer, that he's every bit as talented as any cager I covered in Southeast Michigan. That list includes Chris Webber, who's (finally) shining with the Sacramento Kings.
Anyway, whether it was his McDonald's All-America selection, or the Sports Illustrated article that ran about three months ago, or maybe my incessant blabbering about him (I have very persuasive debate skills which include screaming my viewpoint, then blocking my ears when people try to respond), they finally believe me.
Heck, even fellow screamer Dick Vitale, the ex-University of Detroit head coach who now announces for ESPN, can't say enough about Boozer.
On Friday and Saturday, Boozer and his 28-point, 12-rebound averages will play for the last time at the sure-to-be-rockin' JD gym in the Southeast region championships. It wouldn't be surprising if hard-to-get Bears ducats were scalped for this event.
Boozer is that kind of an attraction. With that in mind, this might not be the best time to bring the topic up, but you must try to tear your gaze away from Boozer so that you can watch the rest of this talented team. THEY'RE GREAT, GREAT I TELL YOU ... NYAH, NYAH, I CAN'T HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ... whoops, sorry, old habits die hard.
The fact is, when Crimson Bear mentor George Houston talks about the importance of teamwork, he's not just blowing coach-speak. The rest of the team - the seniors in particular - have been much more than just mannequins in Juneau's back-to-back state championships. They're just not as noticeable, having had the misfortune of operating in the sizable shadow cast by Boozer's 6-foot-9, 245-pound frame.
To a man, though they've been treated at times as a footnote, they insist it's been a fun ride. Credit Boozer for that in large part - despite all of the praise heaped upon him, his is a nice, down-to-earth guy, except for when he's extremely airborne in a Michael Jordan-esque manner toward another highlight reel jam.
"It doesn't bother me," 6-0 senior guard James Wilson said of the constant attention Boozer receives. "He's a good player; I expect that. We all appreciate him."
Wilson is a good player, too, averaging 12 points and 6 assists per game. He's most often the one who sets up Boozer on those electrifying alley-oop dunks.
"I remember my first lob to Carlos," Wilson said, getting up out his seat in Houston's office and pointing to the spot on the floor. "It was when we were sophomores. I lobbed him on a fast break, I was on the wing and he was coming straight on."
You know the rest of the story.
"That was our first time."
The first of many. A slasher with more moves than a double-jointed break dancer, Wilson is also blessed with a beautiful outside shot. His vision is obscured a little now by a plastic mask - a protective device he must wear since breaking his nose against Sitka last week - but in practices this week his jumper looked true as ever.
People will always remember Boozer's clutch eight-foot jumper with four seconds left to beat East Anchorage in the 1998 state championship game. Not many will remember that it was Wilson who threaded a perfect pass to Boozer while he was double-teamed, making the whole drama possible.
Similarly, not many people will remember the way 6-0 point guard Rob Ridgeway handled East's suffocating full-court pressure with near perfection. But then, Ridgeway knows that press breaking isn't as appealing as a 360 slam.
"You know, 'Los is really a good ballplayer," Ridgeway said. "He gets all the hype, but we know we all contribute to the team."
Ridgeway contributes to many teams. He's one of the finest four-sport athletes to come out of Juneau. In track, he's the reigning 100-meter state champ; last year with the football team, the wideout accrued first-team all-state honors after breaking the school receiving record with 440 yards; in baseball he's a fleet, sure-handed outfielder; on the court, he does all the things he's asked, quietly, without fanfare.
"I've had a lot of good times here. One I'll never forget was the (Capital City Classic championship) game against (California) Northgate," he said of the thriller won by Juneau when Boozer picked up a loose ball in the waning seconds and sank a short jumper for a one-point JD win. "(Josh) Lockhart and all them were there. It went right down to the wire. I think it (this week's regional tournament) will be a little emotional."
Christian Carpeneti probably won't go to pieces. The 6-4 senior forward is the picture of composure, not prone to emotional outbursts - or even a smile or frown for that matter. On any other team he'd be a bona fide star. Along side of Boozer, he's just another good player.
He doesn't mind that Boozer gets all the accolades.
"Along with that comes a huge responsibility," Carpeneti said. "If we fail, he gets blamed for it. There's definitely a lot of pressure there."
He said the public's scrutiny has been harder on Boozer than it has on the team.
"It hasn't bothered me, but for Carlos, I'm sure he becomes annoyed," Carpeneti said.
If you've ever seen the Hornets' Glen Rice release his picture-perfect jump shot, then you have an idea of what Carpeneti looks like. His silky-smooth J is the Bears' most dangerous perimeter threat, yet he - like Wilson - combines his perimeter game with the ability to go to the basket.
In this year's Capital City Classic championship against Garfield, the defending Washington state champs, it was Carpeneti's two huge drives to the hoop that helped stave off Garfield's late rally.
Houston said the talented Carpeneti has the skill required for Division I basketball - and his excellent grades are enticing to colleges as well.
"I'll try to play wherever I go, if it's Division I, that's great," Carpeneti said, noting he has spoken recently to some Ivy League schools.
Crimson Bear starting center Mike VanderJack gets the most difficult assignment of all the Bears - he must share the paint with Boozer.
The 6-7 post was probably the most improved player on the team when camp broke this year, but when you play next to a star, people aren't quick to notice such nuances.
"I don't worry about recognition," VanderJack said. "I just enjoy playing."
He said the senior Bears have become accustomed to all the hoopla surrounding Boozer.
"It's not that bad. When the scouts were coming ... seeing Carlos on TV and maybe yourself in some of the clips ... it's just all part of it."
But, even though he is familiar with the routine by now, there are still times when the magnitude of Boozer's star still catches him off guard.
"I'll probably always remember that game with Garfield," VanderJack said. "The crowd was so into it. I've never heard it that loud."
The gym will likely be much quieter upon Boozer's departure, until the next superstar steps forward. Whoever that ends up being, he can only hope he enjoys the supporting cast that Boozer was blessed with.
