Jul 16, 2012

7/16/2012 11:49:00 PM
The Legendary Basketball Coach John Chaney of the Temple Owls has had some great players in his day. Someone could argue maybe One Player (Mark Macon 1987-91 Saginaw, Michigan Buena Vista HS) was better than this Trio of Guards Coach Chaney had between 1991 -1994.

That Trio was led by Homegrown Philadelphia Simon Gratz HS Star Guard Aaron McKie. He was the Shooting Guard and the Wing Forward/Big Guard was from the 305 Area of Miami in Pompano Beach Florida Eddie Jones formerly of Brand Jordan. The Lead Guard of the Trio was Rick Brunson of Salem, Massachusetts HS and he was more heralded than the other two because he was the lone Big Mac (McDonald's All-American) in the Trio.

Chaney ran that Patented Temple 2-3 Match-Up Zone with these Three Fabulous Guards and they were a Terror on the Atlantic 10 Conference. I remember like Yesterday hearing about the Big Bad OWLS Trio and having Temple in 1993 go to Lawrence, Kansas and put a 14 Spot on the Jayhawks and Roy Williams and KU was never in the Contest. Once the Owls were up they were so disciplined in their Approach that they would set back in that 2-3 Zone up double-digits and force you to play out of Character and the games would get ugly.

Let's take a Look at Chaney's Best Guard Group ever at TEMPLE University in Philly P.A.:

PG Rick Brunson 6'4": Brunson was heavily recruited out of Salem HS in Salem, Massachusetts and  Crafty-Lefty who knew how to play the Game. In Coach Chaney's System he was the Ides Point to Control that System with those 2 High-Flying Guards of McKie and Jones. Excellent range, Silky-Smooth Handle, Heady-Crafty, and Nice Size for a Point and Excellent Hands.

SNIPER Aaron McKie 6'5": McKie was as Fundamental as they get and then mix that game in with where he played in HS at Legendary Simon Gratz HS in Philly (Rasheed Wallace Simon Gratz Class '93). Aaron was a Smooth-Shooting Quick Release Guard with a sneaky Dribble-Drive Game to the rim. Excellent Length and Weight for a Two he also had excellent Defensive Skills.  He and Brunson Played perfectly off one another as they were Interchangeable at the Guard Spots.

Big GUARD/Stretch GUARD Eddie Jones 6'6": Out of Pompano Beach, Florida and a Sleeper of a Player that Chaney got to come all the Way to Philly P.A.. Jones was the Player when you played Temple that stuck out like a Sore Thumb because of hi Athleticism, Quickness, Shooting Ability, Defensive Ability, and his Length and Size for the Big Guard or as I call a Stretch Guard (The Ability to play the Wing Forward the 3 Position but in a Mold of a Big Guard or Shooting Guard). His Upside was Huge as he was the Only one in the Trio that really Blossomed on the Next Level. He was Temple's Game-Changer and when Temple needed a Splash Play it was Mr. Jones.

To show the Basketball IQ of the Trio both Mckie and Brunson have found their way to NBA Benches as Coaches. Aaron McKie is under Doug Collins in his Hometown of Philly for the Sixers. Brunson bounced around and was on Team See Red's (Bulls) Bench the last Two Season,. Brunson has since moved onto New mikeCATS Coach Mike Dunlap Staff in Charlotte.

Note: Eddie Jones was the One of the Three Original Brand Jordan Outfitters along with Michael Finley (Mavs) and Derek Anderson (Spurs). Jones was an All-Star Guard with the Lakers at the Time.

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