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Archive for January 15th, 2009

Top 11: Seattle-area basketball players of the past 20 years

Posted by Alex on January 15, 2009

Today we begin the countdown of the eleven greatest basketball players to come out of the Greater Seattle area in the past two decades. From 1989 until 2009, we’ve witnessed an explosion of hoop talent emerge from in and around the Emerald City, and it’s time we chronicle the cream of that very impressive crop.

First, allow me to define the region of the state we’re examining. The Greater Seattle area extends as far north as Everett, as far south as Tacoma, east to the Cascades, and west to the Puget Sound peninsula. It means a city like Bremerton (home to Marvin Williams) is part of the equation, whereas a city like Mount Vernon (home to Mark Hendrickson) is not. It also eliminates anyone from the east side of the state (John Stockton and Adam Morrison of Spokane), the northern reaches (Luke Ridnour of Blaine), and the southern reaches (Dan Dickau of Vancouver).

Second, when creating this list, we’ve taken into account all levels of competition that a player has participated in. If he excelled in high school, but did not play in college or the NBA, then I’ll tell you right now that he’s not on this list. If he excelled in both the preps and in college, but couldn’t make the League, then he’s at an extreme disadvantage. If he played at all three levels with great success, chances are he’s near the top of this list.

Third, just an editorial note, we’ve reverted back to the standard three-part format for this Top 11. Numbers 11-7 will appear today, numbers 6-2 on Sunday, and number one in a special feature on Monday.

11. Michael Dickerson, Federal Way HS ’94, University of Arizona, NBA

Dickerson, a 6’5″ shooting guard from Federal Way, was one of the area’s brightest talents in the early 1990′s as a prep superstar in the South Puget Sound region. He attended Federal Way’s Decatur High School for one year before transferring to Federal Way High School for his junior and senior years. His greatest notoriety was attained on the summer traveling league circuit, where he was first spotted by University of Arizona head coach Lute Olson. Olson recruited Dickerson and got him to commit to the Wildcats in 1994.

At UA, he went from being a lightly-used freshman to becoming the go-to player by his senior season. He also helped lead the ‘Cats to a 1997 National Championship.

Drafted by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft (No. 14 overall), Dickerson was quickly shuttled off to Vancouver in a trade for point guard Steve Francis. Dickerson would go on to be named All-Rookie Second Team in his inaugural season, and finish with a career scoring average of 15.4 PPG before being forced to retire in 2003 after suffering through chronic hamstring and groin injuries.

10. Martell Webster, Seattle Prep HS ’05, NBA

The 6’7″ Webster capped off a stellar high school career at Seattle Prep by averaging over 27 PPG as part of a team with two future NBA lottery picks (himself and center Spencer Hawes) that failed to make the Class 3A State Tournament. To local prep basketball gurus, that may be the crowning glory of Webster’s SPHS squad: their inability to even qualify for the state’s big dance with such a talented group of performers.

Undeterred, Webster went off as one of the nation’s best prep talents to participate in the 2005 McDonald’s All-American game. It was there that he sealed his fate as an NBA prospect. Despite a signed letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Washington, Webster instead opted to turn pro directly out of high school following his outburst on the national stage provided by the McDonald’s game.

The swingman was selected sixth overall in the ’05 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers and immediately became a fixture in the Blazers gameplan. Unfortunately for Portland and Martell, the rookie failed to catch on in the pros and was later assigned to the the Blazers’ NBDL affiliate in the middle of the season. He eventually worked his way back to Rip City, but now in his fourth season has failed to reach the expectations placed upon him when he was drafted back in 2005.

9. Aaron Brooks, Franklin HS ’03, University of Oregon, NBA

Brooks, a lithe 6’0″ point guard, had a tough time getting attention in his own city while at Seattle’s Franklin High School. The talented Brooks grew up alongside Rodrick and Lodrick Stewart of nearby Rainier Beach High School, and competed for attention, headlines, and wins with his local counterparts. While the Stewart twins paced Beach to the ’03 Class 3A State Championship, Brooks did his part to help his Quakers win the Class 4A State Championship that same year. In an epic matchup of future NBA players, Brooks went head-to-head with Adam Morrison of Spokane’s Mead High School. Morrison ended up with 37 points in a losing effort. Brooks contributed 38 in the win.

After his prep days, Brooks spurned the in-state schools and headed off to the University of Oregon. There, he underwhelmed until his senior season, when he finally put himself on the map by willing the Ducks to an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. During his junior year, Brooks was involved in an unfortunate incident in which he delivered a well-placed elbow to the face of Husky guard Ryan Appleby. The cheap shot distanced the Seattle native from a number of local fans and did little to ease the rivalry between Washington and Oregon.

Following his senior year at UO, Brooks took the next logical step and entered his name into the 2007 NBA Draft. The former Duck exceeded the projections placed upon him by draft experts and was selected in the late first round, 26th overall, by the Houston Rockets. The first-round selection netted Brooks a guaranteed contract and a role in the Houston rotation. After a quiet rookie season, Brooks has proven himself as a worthy contributor in his second year, coming off the Rockets bench to average double figures scoring in the process.

8. Rodney Stuckey, Kentwood HS ’04, Eastern Washington, NBA

In only his second professional season, Stuckey has a chance of moving up this list in the future. For now, he’ll have to settle for being number eight on our list.

Stuckey, a 6’5″ combo guard, attended Kentwood High School in Kent where he led the Conquerors to a Class 4A State Championship in his senior season of 2004. He was heavily recruited by the University of Washington and was prepared to play for Lorenzo Romar until grades interfered with his decision. Because of subpar academics, Stuckey sat out the ’04-’05 season before relinquishing his dream of being a Dawg, instead heading off to Eastern Washington University.

At Eastern, Stuckey was an instant sensation. A man playing amongst boys in the Big Sky Conference, Stuckey dominated the competition and put up just over 24 PPG in both of his first two seasons. With the NBA quickly taking note of his collegiate accomplishments, Stuckey opted to declare for the 2007 NBA Draft following his sophomore year.

The Detroit Pistons selected Stuckey 15th overall in the ’07 Draft and tabbed him as their point guard of the future. After a quiet rookie season, Stuckey was given greater responsibility this year, following a coming-out performance in the 2008 playoffs. By trading starting point guard Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson back in November, the Pistons began the transition to the Stuckey era. The second-year player has responded by coming on strong as of late, and hopes to continue that trend as both the season and his career progress.

7. Spencer Hawes, Seattle Prep HS ’06, University of Washington, NBA

During his high school days, Hawes teamed up with the aforementioned Martell Webster to form one of the most dynamic duos in local basketball history. Unfortunately for the Batman and Robin of Seattle Prep basketball, they couldn’t win a state title together. Doing his best Justin Timberlake impression, Hawes found more success as a solo act, taking home the 2006 WIAA Class 3A State Championship for Prep, while Webster sat on the Portland Trailblazers bench.

The following season, Hawes made his way to Montlake to partner with longtime friend Jon Brockman in the Huskies frontcourt. The bona fide center put up decent numbers over the course of the ’06-’07 season, but couldn’t propel the Dawgs into postseason play. Despite a year of unmet expectations, Hawes chose to cut short the college experience and declared for the 2007 NBA Draft.

For the third consecutive year, a Seattle product was selected in the lottery portion of the draft with Hawes going 10th overall to the Sacramento Kings. In his second season with the Kings, Hawes has been given an expanded role in the offense with the decline of veteran center Brad Miller and is currently averaging just over 11.0 PPG.

Posted in Husky Basketball, NBA, NCAA Basketball, Pac-10 Basketball, Top 11 | 5 Comments »

Point of Contention: Do Emo kids have a place in sports?

Posted by Alex on January 15, 2009

You’ve seen them, of course. They walk amongst the shadows, clutter your local food court, constantly amble with a hanging head, and maintain a leering glare. They grow their hair out to obscure their faces, dress in dark attire, and seek the public attention they so desperately crave at home. They are like the Children of the Corn, except the Children of the Corn had a purpose and direction; these kids do not. They skip middle school classes, listen to teeny rock, and prepare for the angst and social awkwardness of their undoubtedly weird transition into adulthood. Yes, by now you may have figured out who we’re talking about. They are Emo kids, and they are the face of American youth. From Gen-X, to Gen-Next, to Gen-Y, we’ve reached Gen-Zero, an entire generation of adolescents charactized by their absolute nothingness.

Outside of skateboarding, Emo (short for “emotional) kids aren’t known as avid sportsmen. At one time or another, they may have been forced onto a court or field by an all-too-pushy parent, but by the time they’ve crossed over to the dark side, athletics are little more than a distant memory. At this point, they’re more concerned with the prospect of piercings and tattoos, or the staging of a perfect self-taken bathroom shot of teenage misery to post on MySpace. Nevertheless, in our sports-frenzied society, we have to ask the critical questions of how athletics and culture can intertwine to produce sweet, sweet beautiful love. All of which leads us to the question of whether Emo kids do or do not have a place in sports. Without further ado, we’ll examine both sides of the argument.

Pro: Emo kids do have a place in sports. I have a great idea. Let’s say a Major League Baseball team has an “Emo Night” event. They hire a popular Emo rock band to play a postgame concert, and offer reduced admission to Emo kids with a paying adult (scratch that, no paying adult required…their parents don’t love them, after all). Of course, there has to be a catch, and there is. The catch is the Emo kids must submit to a haircut and an exchange of clothing at the gate; a well-coiffed ‘do in place of the long, dark locks, and a normal person’s wardrobe instead of those goofy-ass skintight disasters they buy at Value Village. It’s not unlike the scene in Return of the Jedi when Luke removes Darth Vader’s helmet and essentially turns him into the peaceful Anakin Skywalker once again. It’s not just an isolated incident; it’s an entire statement about life.

From a societal standpoint, the transformation has multiple repercussions. One, the sports franchise willing to stage this endeavour has quite possibly created a repeat customer who will be overwhelmed by sports fanaticism. Two, the younger Emos may be intervened during a point early enough in their Emoism to give athletics a try on their own; rather than just their lame-o attempts at skateboarding, they may take up baseball, basketball, football, or any other sport that frowns upon, rather than embraces, the use of mass quantities of hashish to drive success. Three, by capturing Emos and exposing them to athletics, we will accelerate their extinction and incorporate a whole new set of fans into the world of sports; in doing so, we will keep our world thriving and avoid the downfall of sports franchises, sports media, and anything else sports related. Diabolical.

My backup plan is much more simple. We submit the Emos to an all-day marathon of ESPN’s First and 10. I have a feeling they’ll establish a connection with Skip Bayless, slowly but surely drawing them into the sports spectrum. Also, it’s quite possible that Bayless is one of them. Two birds, one stone.

Con: Emo kids do not have a place in sports. Let’s face it, this is a lost cause. Emo kids hate stuff, and sports can be tough to hate. The only way this will work is if we send them all to Detroit. There, they can quickly adapt to the atmosphere of losing and fall in love with the misery that is the Motor City sports scene. Of course, we don’t have the funding to do that, so our attempts to convert the unconverted are simply futile.


For example, what are Emos in Florida supposed to do? The Florida Gators have won two football and two basketball National Championships in the past five years. That culture of winning will repel Emos quicker than sunlight and happiness. The bright blue-and-orange color scheme probably won’t perform any miracles either.


On top of that, everyone knows Emo kids are completely unathletic. Have you ever seen an Emo throw a football? Of course not, his hand would melt and his parents might appreciate him, two things most Emos try to avoid. Even running track might be a stretch for most Emo kids. The exposure to that much sunlight could be harmful to their pale, sensitive skin…and it’s really tough to run in nut-hugging, button-fly jeans.


Sports doesn’t need Emos, and Emos don’t need sports. The love Emos could receive from sports would likely overwhelm them and possibly short-circuit their brains. Their home life might be repaired, and they might develop some semblance of a personality. They might possibly spend their Saturdays in the gym instead of walking the mall, shopping despite the fact that they have no money. They may become better human beings, establish a future, and actually become whole again. These are all things we don’t need.
Okay, so there you have it, both sides of the argument. Now it’s your turn. Take a moment to share your thoughts on Emo kids and their place in sports. Thanks for reading, and for chipping in your opinion.

Posted in Beyond Seattle, Featured Articles, Point of Contention | 15 Comments »