Elite big men face uphill battle

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Class of 2004 is loaded, right? Absolutely.

We think so and taking it a step further, it’s deep at the power and inside positions. But, so far with the exception of Glen Davis at the adidas Texas Classic, it’s been the year of the guard.

Should we be surprised? Nope.

Guards and perimeter players have a long history of taking over at AAU and traveling team events. If you look at the major events in 2002, you’ll see the influence of guards.

Top Five Big Men: Class of 2004 1. Al Jefferson (PF) Ht: 6'9" - Wt: 265 High School: Prentiss (Miss.) Bio: Jefferson is a specimen with size, skill and more importantly he produces results. He can really score on the blocks and make key rejections. Super prospect. 2. Dwight Howard (C) Ht: 6'10" - Wt: 225 HS: Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy Bio: Candidate to head straight to the NBA. He’s got great size, is capable of bulking up big-time and carrying the weight and he’s terrific around the cup. Finishes with dunks. The sky is the limit and his potential is scary. Might be the top player in the class when it’s all done. 3. Lamarcus Aldridge (PF) Ht: 6'10" - Wt: 195 HS: Seagoville (Texas) Bio: Has verbally committed to Texas. Next great big man to come out of the state. Draws favorable comparisons to Chris Bosh at the same age, but his game is slightly more advanced at this juncture. Has one of the longest bodies. Sound shot blocker and exceptional rebounder. Versatile enough and can step outside and face up. 4. Glen Davis (C) Ht: 6'8" - Wt: 325 HS: Baton Rouge (La.) University Bio: "Big Baby" actually did a dance during the 2002 ABCD All-Star game that had the crowd in stitches. Loves to play and relishes contact as you would expect. More nimble than one might think and can really score down low. Could be a football player in college. MVP of the 2003 adidas Texas Classic and led Sports Academy to the title. 5. Marvin Williams (PF) Ht: 6'8" - Wt: 205 HS: Bremerton (Wash.) Bio: Member of the underclassmen all-star game at the 2002 adidas ABCD Camp. Terrific talent and ultra versatile. He can certainly play both forward positions. Not as tall as Drew Gooden but shares some of the same traits that made Gooden a star. Has such an incredible feel for the game. Super touch from all over the court. Has a presence about him that will make him a star.

Tack Minor was the man at the Kingwood Classic, Shaun Livingston was MVP at the Spiece Run 'n Slam, Sean Banks got it done at the Tournament of Champions, Gary Ervin starred at the Rumble in the Bronx, Andrew Lavender ruled the Peach Jam, Curtis Stinson was the man at the Big Time and Chris Paul captured the AAU MVP trophy.

"In AAU play, guards dominate the ball,” Texas associate head coach Frank Haith said. “[Big men] haven’t played with the guards much and if [the guards are] good they dominate the ball. A lot of times, big guys don’t have a chance to shine.

"I just don’t think in AAU ball there’s enough time with the teams to develop a system to get the ball inside. In all-star type settings, which is what AAU ball amounts to, those events tend to lean more toward the guard play. The guards have the opportunity, more so than the big guys, to be a factor.”

Enter Glen Davis. The 6-feet-8, 300-plus pound man nicknamed “Big Baby” put his Sports Academy team on his back and carried them to the championship last month in Houston. It was a thing of beauty. He simply dominated and never tired. No one has ever earned an MVP award the way he did that weekend. Turns out, his MVP award was the exception to the rule so far this season.

So, will we see more "Big Baby-type" performances from the studs this spring at major events? Well, Al Jefferson is a strong candidate to do it. He’s already been an MVP this spring, but it wasn’t a national, elite level event. He’s got a great AAU team that should challenge for some July championships.

Dwight Howard might be the best prospect in the land and his Atlanta Celtics are loaded up front but they lack the guard play you need to get through four games on Sunday at a major event. Lamarcus Aldridge got close with Team Texas this spring already, but couldn’t close out a guard-oriented team.

That said, we asked a veteran college coach what advice he would give to a big guy looking to dominate a tournament.

"Play to your strengths and not your weaknesses," Kansas associate head coach Norm Roberts said. "Get out and run in transition and offensive rebound. I think those are the two big keys. There’s going to be plenty of offensive rebound opportunities and if you can finish and run in transition that would help."

In other words, big men, it's time to take matters into your own hands.

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