The crowd gasped each and every time N.C. State incoming freshman C.J. Leslie skied for a dunk. Or blocked a shot. Or slithered his slender frame into the lane for a finger roll.
And the crowd was not the only people that were impressed.
"He's athletic, he can put the ball on the floor, he is going to be real good for us next year," said Wolfpack senior Tracy Smith.
He even helped Smith out at one point during their summer league game on Thursday night. After Smith missed a turn around jumper, Leslie skied in for the put-back dunk. As Leslie ran back on defense he put both arms in the air and had a huge smile plastered across his face.
Leslie also got it done on the defensive end. He had a handful of blocks and at one point, blocked a layup attempt so hard that it came down and hit the other player in the face.
"We just look to get out there and have fun," Leslie said. "At the same time, get a good work out in to stay in shape."
Safe to say he did both.
Comments
CJ Leslie
Fri, 07/02/2010 - 13:40 — Heels20He did about as much bad as he did good in this game. He's a phenomenal athlete with excellent upside, but he has got to improve his decision-making. He was out of control with the ball many times last night and went for the big play too many times.
Honestly, Richard Howell was the Wolfpacker I was most impressed with last night. He showed off his range some this past season, but was even hitting the 3-ball last night. Not only was his jump shot looking good, but he was banging around down low. If I remember correctly, he shot better from the line than both Leslie and Smith. Figuring out the line up this season may be even tougher for Sidney than we originally anticipated.
You got that right
Fri, 07/02/2010 - 14:36 — JPDOhioSid's got a problem that every coach wants to have. He has versatile players with talent who can play several positions. His challenge is more than just finding the right combination. He has to make sure that everyone on the team is focused on the same goal. That goal being team success, not individual glory.
Sid has already said that he is going to use Tracy at the 4 spot, because that is where Tracy will play in the pros. He also said that Painter and Vandenberg will hold down the center spot. So that leaves CJL at the 3 spot. It is early and all of this is subject to change. But guys like Scott Wood, CJ Williams and Richard Howell aren't going to just roll over and give up their positions easily. Neither is Javi Gonzalez at point.
I would like to think that the leadership and unselfishness on this team is the best it has been since Sid's tenure began. I also get the impression that Sid has been open and honest with the incoming freshmen, so they understand what is expected of them. The last thing we need is another JJ Hickson fiasco. I am hopeful the character of the returning players (way better than the Costner/Grant gang) and Sid's cultivated relationship with the recruits will have everyone on the same page from day one.