BearTalk

Notes and reflections from this evening’s intra-squad scrimmage at Haas Pavilion, attended by 400 or 500 fans:

– The Bears started PG Jerome Randle, SG Patrick Christopher, SF Theo Robertson, PF Jamal Boykin and C Max Zhang on the Blue Team, and PG Brandon Smith, SG Jorge Gutierrez, SF D.J. Seeley, PF Omondi Amoke and C Markhuri Sanders-Frison on the Gold Team. But don’t read too much into it — players were shuffled back and forth from one team to the other, with Sanders-Frison spending equal time on the Blue Team.

– As expected, PF Harper Kamp (knee) did not play. Gutierrez, who had been nursing a sore right foot, played extensively and looked fine, although he suffered a leg cramp just before the finish.

– Christopher shot the ball very well early, hitting five perimeter shots, including a pair of 3-pointers. Later, he took a 40-foot alley-oop pass from Randle and dunked it. Randle played under control and shows the confidence of a senior.

– Robertson made a couple of the mid-range jumpers fans are familiar with, and set some nice screens. His hip appears to be fine.

– Smith looks very solid at the point. He is strong, fundamentally sound at both ends and made a couple perimeter shots. I have no trouble imagining Smith playing 6-to-10 minutes as Randle’s backup.

– Max blocked four shots, including one each by Sanders-Frison and Randle. Offensively, he still has a long ways to go. Will be interesting to see how he develops this season, and whether he can provide, say, 10 productive minutes per game.

– Sanders-Frison is big, but he carries his weight well. Seems comfortable on the floor, he’s a lefty and a very good passer. Didn’t score much — although he swished one 15-footer — but seems to understand the game. My friend noted that he looks a little like Darryl Dawkins.

– Seeley is a little stronger, and quite a bit more assertive than he was last season as a freshman. He hit six perimeter shots, barely ruffling the net on several of them. He could be one of the players who helps give Cal better depth. He told me afterward that he hurt his left knee a couple months ago, and it still swells up a bit. D.J. said he doesn’t expect any problems in the short term, but may need to have the knee ’scoped after the season to clean up some cartilage.

 – Amoke has been drawing raves from his teammates as one of the players who worked hardest during the off-season. He appears very fit and was active around the basket. Figure him to continue playing off the bench at both the 3 and 4.

– One intriguing lineup we saw for a few possessions featured Randle, Christopher, Gutierrez, Robertson and Sanders-Frison. Not hard to envision those five on the floor together against any number of the smaller Pac-10 teams.

– Bak Bak is very thin and may be victim of a numbers game on the frontline. Made one nice turn-around jumper from the key. Seems to have skilled, but needs muscle. Will he be red-shirted? I won’t be surprised either way, but right now he’s the sixth man in a battle for playing time at two frontcourt spots.