Jamario Moon – From Goodwater to Toronto

by Frankie Anetzberger…

This is my first article for T.O Sports and I am excited for the opportunity. Maybe you have heard of me (probably not). I have my own sports blog called The Anetzberger Verdict, www.anetzberger.wordpress.com, and I also write for Jamario Moon’s official website, www.apollo33.com. Here’s the history on your boy J-MOON aka Apollo 33!

Goodwater Alabama, home to two stop lights and NBA sophomore Jamario Moon. The twenty-eight year old rookie has made it so far. From the dirt basketball court he played on when he was a kid, to the polished hardwood court he plays on now for the Toronto Raptors, Jamario Moon gives adversity a whole new meaning. The NBA has had its Cinderella stories and journeys of different players making their way to the league, but none have had to overcome as many obstacles as Moon. Let me bring you back to Goodwater for your personal tour though the journey of Mr. Jamario Moon.

1998

As the book Sole Influence tells us, the start of bad things to come began when Coach Joel Hopkins, basketball coach at Mount Zion Christian Academy gave Moon a call. Zion was the high school of current NBA star Tracy McGrady. As a high school junior, Moon was satisfied playing for Coosa Central High School but received a great offer from Zion. Jamario gave it a shot and flew to North Carolina with his mom and grandmother. They toured the campus and were given information any student and parent would like to hear. Moon stayed for a couple extra days when his mother and grandmother chose to fly back home. Moon was shown the apartment building he would live in if he chose to stay. Joel Hopkins told Moon that he would make him a lot of money if he decided to stay. He said that Moon was the best talent he had seen since Tracy McGrady. He assured Moon that grades wouldn’t be an issue and his transcript wouldn’t matter at all. Jamario gave it a shot and stayed for a couple weeks. Moon recalled never seeing a book at his time at Mt. Zion. One night he and one of his teammates were determined to leave and escape their locked down apartment. They made a run for the closest McDonald’s and used the pay phone inside. They both called home and decided to leave Mt. Zion.

1999

Jamario was battling out high school rival Gerald Wallace in the state championship between his Coosa Central High School and Wallace’s Childersburg High. After defeating Childersburg High in the state championship Jamario was getting an earful of bad information. Jamario was the biggest thing to hit Alabama basketball. The Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook listed Jamario as a member of the Honorable Mention High School All-America Team. Everyone thought he was going to be the one to make it. Jamario kept hearing that he could go straight to the NBA out of high school. Don’t worry about school, don’t worry about grades, just keep playing basketball. This was the bad news that would surround him until he graduated. School was never a big thing with Jamario. Not paying attention in school is one of the reasons it took Jamario so long to get recognized by professional scouts.

2000

Jamario was accepted to Mississippi State but was declined due to poor grades. He also got denied by Compton University for the same reason. He wound up going to Meridian Community College in Mississippi. He played twelve games for the eagles and averaged 20.8 points per game and 8.7 rebounds. After the twelve games he was sent packing again due to poor grades. After being released he worked on his game with his summer coach Kerry Kirby leading up to the summer of 2001. He was told to enter the draft by scouts and he did. He worked out with the Milwaukee Bucks that summer and was planning on being drafted by them. The Bucks told Moon that they would probably select him at their 52nd pick. They saw his talent in their work outs with him and were starting to think that Moon might be taken earlier then their pick. They thought wrong and decided to select Andre Hutson, a forward from Michigan State. This would be the beginning of Moon’s long minor-league career including a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters.

2001-2005

Jamario decided to stay close to home in the NBA’s Developmental League and signed with the Mobile Revelers. After several games with them he was released. During this 4 year span, Moon played with the Huntsville Flight (D-League), Rockford Lightning CBA (Continental Basketball Association), and the Kentucky Colonels ABA (American Basketball Association). During 2004 Moon had a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. During his time with the Globetrotters Moon learned one of the most important things in his career. The Globetrotters told Moon that he would only stay on the team if he performed great. That’s what the whole point of being on the Globetrotters, to give the fans a great show. They told him, “You’ve got to be upbeat every night. You’ve got to smile. You’ve got perform. You got to give them the show.” He had to finish every dunk with style or he would be cut from the team. When people ask Moon how high he can jump he says “I just jump as high as they throw the ball.” His first semi-successful trip came in Rome, Georgia for the Rome Gladiators of the WBA (World Basketball Association). He arrived in 2005 and averaged 13.4 points per game and the Gladiators won the WBA Championship. From their Jamario would find his way to Albany, NY where he would spend the next three years in the CBA. The Albany Patroons had just rejoined the league after taking a 13 year break. He joined the team with 30 of the remaining 45 games left and made an immediate impact. He averaged 18.4 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game. He led the Patroons into the playoffs where they placed second in the CBA’s weird playoff system.

2006

After the Patroons season closed out Jamario joined the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA’s D-League. He only played three games and averaged 3.3 points per and 2.0 rebounds.

After that short period he followed up with another short stint with a Mexican team, Fuerza Regia. He rejoined the Patroons for the 2006-2007 season for his best year with the “Pats”. He averaged 18.8 points coming off the bench. Yes you heard me right, off the bench. His coach, and former NBA player, Micheal Ray Richardson chose to have Moon come in late first quarter to early second quarter. Not that Moon didn’t have the talent to start, he just didn’t. Moon led the Patroons to the championship series where they would lose to the Yakama Sun Kings. After the conclusion of the CBA season, Moon chose to play for the Gary Steelheads in the USBL (United States Basketball League). Moon averaged 15.3 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.0 SPG, and 3.0 BPG.

Later in that summer of 2007 Moon was invited to participate in the Toronto Raptors free agent camp in June. He made his way past that and was invited to the Raptors pre-season in Europe. Stops included Italy and Spain as Moon got his first minutes in a game versus the Celtics. He played 12 minutes and had four points and three rebounds.

Jamario would end up making his first NBA team in a struggling seven years of trying. Being on the team was relief enough but got his first real playing time in a game versus Philadelphia. He was left in during the end of the game and had the responsibility of guarding Philly all-star, Andre Iguodala. He made a crucial block on Andre late in the game to close up a 105-103 win for the Raps. Coach Sam Mitchell would later put Moon in starting line up for a game versus Chicago. It was surreal for Jamario who idolized Chicago star, Scottie Pippen and to play in the arena he played in. He did his idol justice and had 12 points in 22 minutes including six rebounds and a block. He remained in the starting line up for the remainder of the year. He was the Raptors priceless story of the year. Starting in community college, into the minor leagues, and finally making an NBA squad, Jamario often said, “If I’m dreaming, don’t pinch me”. Jamario if now looking forward to having Jermaine O’Neal on the team and is really looking forward to the next season. Hopefully the “story” continues for Jamario this season and he remains the starting small forward.

Who Will Be the Team to Beat in the NBA This Season? Part II

by TJ Zwarych…

Well, now that the Eastern Conference is finished, we move on to the more skilled conference—the wild West.

The injury-depleted Lakers took the West last year, as they made it all the way to the Finals before losing to the Celtics. Here is a list of who I think will be the three best teams in the West next season:

1. New Orleans Hornets

The Hornets finished second in the West last year and show no signs of slowing down. They acquired lockdown defender and three-point specialist James Posey, and they have an emerging star post in David West, who had a breakout season last year, going to his first All-Star game.

They have a fantastic starting point guard in Chris Paul, who some say is the best point guard since Magic and Stockton. Last year, in his third NBA season, Paul led the league in steals and assists. He’s a great scorer and he can also get his teammates involved, as they have a great chemistry.

Speaking of chemistry, there is none better then between Paul and center Tyson Chandler. Paul hooked up with Chandler on countless alley-oops. Chandler is also one of the premier defenders in the league playing above the rim.

They are one of the youngest teams in the league, and with last year’s experience, they should do better. Throw in fantastic three-point shooters Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson, you are set to have a great season.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

MVP, MVP, MVP. It would be impossible for the Lakers to have a bad season as long as they have a healthy number 24, Kobe Bryant. Kobe was the MVP of the league last year and is straight-up the best player in the league. He is clutch, can slash inside, can shoot the three—he is just unstoppable.

Although Kobe is amazing, the Lakers are not a one-man team. They had some bad injuries last season, but if they are healthy, they will be even better then last year. Too bad the Hornets will be better also.

The Lakers are full of stars and role players, and really have the make of a great team. This year, they will have European star Pau Gasol for the full season instead of just half. They should have a starting center with Andrew Bynum staying healthy. They also have Lamar Odom returning.

This would create a backcourt of Kobe and Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar trading off, with a huge frontcourt of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom.

The Lakers aren’t short on role players, either. They also have three point specialist Vladimir Radmanovic, a great scorer in Sasha Vujacic, and slashers Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton. I cannot see them finishing worst then second, and maybe even repeating as first over the Hornets.

3. Utah Jazz

The Jazz don’t have quite have as star-studded of a starting lineup as these other two teams, but it’s still pretty damn good! And out of all of these teams, they probably have the most balanced bench, as they have a solid backup at each position.

Their starting lineup will consist of Deron Williams, a fantastic young point guard, Ronnie Brewer, a young up-and-coming slashing guard, Andrei Kirlenko, a great defensive forward, their best scorer and rebounder Carlos Boozer, and a center that is an outside threat in Mehmet Okur.

It’s still a drop off from starter to backup, but they are still good at every position. They have Brevin Knight backing up Williams, Ronnie Price and Kyle Korver replacing Brewer, Harping or again Korver replacing Kirlenko, Milsap replacing Boozer, and Jarron Collins or again Milsap replacing Okur.

With the same core as last year, the Jazz look to continue their greatness at home and play better on the road.

Honorable Mentions:

Portland Trail Blazers: Full of potential, but need a year or two more to bloom.

San Antonio Spurs: Will still be good, but won’t improve.

Houston Rockets: T-Mac one year older, injuries will hurt.

Phoenix Suns: Still can’t get it done on D.

Dallas Mavericks: Still a playoff contender, but they aren’t on top anymore.

Denver Nuggets: Too much controversy, trade rumours involving most of their players, won’t get it done.

Man, I’m such a Patriot!

by Jon Dwyer…

Baseball will bid a not-so-fond farewell to the Olympics once the 08/08/08 Olympics close out later this summer. I think the sheer fact the I.O.C. waited to launch the games on a date that has little to no positive historical relevance is reflective of the brainiacs running the show (on August 8, 1922 fascism had its first real breakthrough in Italy, the Ku Klux Clan held its first national march in Washington DC and the Russians admitted they possessed a Hydrogen bomb in 53’…way to remind us of the happy moments Olympic committee!)

Perhaps it’s fitting that the Olympics be phased-out the year the summer games are played in China. In baseballs inaugural season as an official Olympic sport, Cuba made the Chinese look like the 38’ Phillies (they went 45/105), winning the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona games. The following three tournament showings for Olympic baseball weren’t much better. Although the US won in 2000, Cuba again dominated in 1996 and 2004 (baseball is clearly rife with communists, Joseph McCarthy is rolling in his grave).

While Canada had a slow start, which to be honest was expected, last time around the boys in red and white hit the field with an impressive showing, placing just out of medal contention thanks to the very capable Japanese team. Australia took the back seat to this year’s incumbent, Cuba.

(Australia has a baseball team?)

So, what can we expect from Canada in this, the last year planet Earth will witness Olympic baseball? (Thankfully, Mars and Jupiter will still feature the boys of summer)
I suppose the best way to assess our capability is to assess our assets…

2008 BASEBALL CANADA OLYMPIC TEAM ROSTER

35 Chris Begg Uxbridge ON 12-Sep-79 28 R R 6′4″ 195 RHP San Francisco Giants (AAA)
22 Tim Burton Ottawa ON 30-Jul-83 24 L R 6′3″ 195 RHP Cleveland Indians (AA)
11 Stubby Clapp Windsor ON 24-Feb-73 35 L R 5′8″ 175 2B Former Cardinals (MLB)
37 Rheal Cormier Moncton NB 23-Apr-67 41 L L 5′10″ 197 LHP Former Phillies (MLB)
28 David Corrente Chatham ON 13-Oct-83 24 R R 6′2″ 210 C Toronto Blue Jays (A)
23 David Davidson St. Catherines ON 23-Apr-84 24 L L 6′1″ 200 LHP Pittsburgh Pirates (AA)
17 Emerson Frostad Calgary AB 13-Jan-83 25 L R 6′1″ 220 1B / C Texas Rangers (AA)
15 Emmanuel Garcia Montreal QC 4-Mar-86 22 L R 6′2″ 185 SS New York Mets (AA)
31 Steve Green Greenfield Park QC 26-Jan-78 30 R R 6′2″ 195 RHP Philadelphia Phillies (AAA)
25 Mike Johnson Edmonton AB 03-Oct-75 32 L R 6′2″ 200 RHP Former Expos (MLB)
14 Brett Lawrie Langley BC 18-Jan-90 18 R R 6′0″ 200 C/INF/OF Milwaukee Brewers (A)
27 Jonathan Lockwood Toronto ON 12-Dec-81 26 R R 6′2″ 195 RHP Former Mariners (A)
32 Brooks McNiven Vancouver BC 19-Jun-81 27 R R 6′5″ 190 RHP San Francisco Giants (AA)
19 Ryan Radmanovich Calgary AB 9-Aug-71 36 L R 6′2″ 200 OF Former Mariners (MLB)
34 Chris Reitsma Calgary AB 31-Dec-77 30 R R 6′5″ 240 RHP Former Braves (MLB)
38 Scott Richmond Langley BC 30-Aug-79 28 R R 6′5″ 220 RHP Toronto Blue Jays (AAA)
30 Chris Robinson Dorchester ON 12-May-84 24 R R 6′0″ 215 C Chicago Cubs (AA)
4 Matt Rogelstad New Westminster BC 13-Sep-82 25 L R 6′3″ 190 INF Washington Nationals (AA)
20 Mike Saunders Victoria BC 19-Nov-86 21 L R 6′4″ 215 OF Seattle Mariners (AAA)
7 Adam Stern London ON 12-Feb-80 28 L R 5′11″ 185 OF Former Red Sox (MLB)
42 Robert Swindle Vancouver BC 7-Jul-83 25 L L 6′3″ 200 LHP Philadelphia Phillies (AAA)
40 Scott Thorman Cambridge ON 6-Jan-82 26 L R 6′3″ 235 1B Atlanta Braves (AAA)
29 Jimmy VanOstrand Richmond BC 7-Aug-84 23 R R 6′4″ 225 1B / OF Houston Astros (A)
33 Nick Weglarz Stevensville ON 16-Dec-87 20 L L 6′3″ 245 OF Cleveland Indians (A)

The six guys who have proper MLB experience are “no-names,” and that’s paying them the best of compliments. No Jason Bay, Eric Bedard, Justin Morneau and more realistically, no Scott Richmond. The Jays official website noted Richmond’s “rocky start today” in the Jays 4-0 loss Sunday afternoon to left-hander Cliff Lee and the Cleveland Indians, who sit last place in the AL Central with a crumbling roster. Perhaps the Jays should have taken a breather on putting Richmond in as a starter…it wouldn’t have cost a dime to let the 29 year old first-time Major League pitcher gain a little more big-game confidence at the Olympics.

Dude would have been a bit more effective against the slightly less-talented Olympic batsmen then he has in the MLB with the offence-challenged Blue Jays.

I can wax intellectual about Canadian baseball prospects this summer (or the lack thereof), but perhaps its just better to give the lads the benefit of the doubt. We play our first game August 13 against China. The following day we face Cuba in what will most likely be the most difficult game of the tournament, then we’re on to South Korea, the U.S., Japan, the Netherlands and finally Chinese Taipei.

The top four teams enter the “knockout stage” whereby the first place team plays the fourth and so on, determining the gold and bronze game matches according to win/loss. Since the Aussies are a no-show this year I think we stand a decent chance of posting a few “W’s” and a good crack at a medal.

Canada needs all the help they can get, so please, refer all comments to the fact I cited ineligible MLB players like Morneau and Bedard for the Canadian roster, saving your well thought out cynicism for my ignorance rather then the national team.

Man, I’m such a Patriot!

GO CANADA