Jones Drops 16 in Summer League Game

Against the John Wall-less Washington Wizards on Saturday night, Terrence Jones scored 16 points to go with five rebounds and two assists in his second summer league game. Jones came off the bench to go 7-10 on field goals (1-2 from three point range) in the 76-70 loss, and joined Jeremy Lamb as the only other Rocket to score double digits. Josh “Jorts” Harrellson also saw some playing time for the Rockets, but went scoreless and grabbed only two rebounds in his five minute outing.

With the Rockets’ questionable surplus of young power forwards, it’s currently unclear whether Jones, Harrellson, and Patrick Patterson will be staying on the roster or used as trade bait for Jeremy Lin and/or Omer Asik. You’ve got to wonder whether there’s some mad scientist plan hatching in the corridors of the Rockets’ offices- a team can’t run on forwards alone. However, when ESPN’s The Daily Dime asked coach Kevin McHale about his team’s youth, he implied that the plan was for the Rockets to start with a young core and go from there:

“It is what it is,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “Everybody wants to coach veterans, but we’re not gonna have veterans, we’re going to have young guys. So you’re just going to have to go out there and coach ‘em up, teach ‘em up.”

So at least for now, the kids are all right in Houston. The Rockets have today off and will resume play on Monday at 6:30pm ET against the Sacramento Kings. For video of an interview with T. Jones after the game, click here.

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: kentuckysportsradio.com

Yesterday, MKG and the Charlotte (Bob)cats emerged victorious over Thomas Robinson and the Sacramento Kings. MKG had a stellar line, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Here are some highlights from the game for your viewing pleasure- skip to the 41 second mark to see most of the Kidd-Gilchrist highlights, including a couple steals that led to dunks and a three-pointer:

Source: ksrcollege.com

It’s taking a lot of effort for me not to jump up on my chair, wiggle my fingers and stick my tongue out while singsonging “na na na na boo boo” to the NBA scouts and television analysts who doubted our man Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s ability to score. In the Charlotte Bobcats’ summer league victory over Sacramento, MKG scored 18 points to go with seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. 

Kidd-Gilchrist scored ten points in the first seven minutes, his boundless energy no match for the Kings in transition. He started 6-6, including a two-handed dunk  in which it appears he took flight for a moment (injured hip what?). Here, judge for yourself- the dunk ended up on ESPN’s top plays for the night (above).

As impressive as that stat line is, it’s just as notable that MKG appeared comfortable and unintimidated in the league, even already appearing to be a team leader.  MKG reportedly brought his trademark enthusiasm to the court, palling around with Kemba Walker between plays and clapping energetically to get the team going.  Improving his jump shot will still be a priority for the Kidd, but he won’t be suffering from an inability to score in the meantime. As we knew all too well at Kentucky, Michael’s a jack of all trades who can (and will) do absolutely anything to help his team to victory.

Oh, and it looks like Kidd-Gilchrist may become one of an exclusive club of NBA members who have their name take up two lines on the back of their jersey:

We’ll keep you posted.

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: kentuckysportsradio.com

Confronting Coangelo: Good Move or Bad?

After Team USA basketball chairman Jerry Coangelo commented publicly on DeMarcus Cousins’ maturity, BBN weren’t the only ones with their hackles raised. The beloved former big man wasn’t about to take the criticism lying down. Instead, Cousins approached the director on Monday and reportedly asked how he was being immature- reportedly receiving vague comments in response.

“I asked him how I was being immature,” Cousins said, after an afternoon practice session with Team USA. “He never really gave me an answer. He just said it was his opinion. I told him I’m just trying to come out and play hard.”

Confronting Coangelo can be interpreted in one of two ways. DeMarcus haters will see it as more evidence of Big Cuz’s immaturity- an inability to gracefully accept an authority figure’s decision and use it as motivation to work hard (see also: clashes with former Kings coach Paul Westphal), and an off-court extension of his playing style (fight-provoking, chip-on-the-shoulder, brawn over brains). Boogie supporters, on the other hand, can argue that by all accounts, DeMarcus approached Coangelo calmly and respectfully and honestly wanted to know how he could improve his attitude and image to have a better change at representing the USA in the future- the grown-up way to stand up for yourself when you feel you’ve been treated unfairly.
So which is it? Honestly, probably a little bit of both. Kentuckians (and KSR readers especially) know Boogie’s personality all too well, and no one argues with the fact that he has a good heart and is essentially a big, goofy kid. However, the “big kid” comparison also implies  a certain inability to accept authority and/or clearly articulate why you’re feeling cheated (trust me, I’m a professional babysitter). Put that together, and my guess would be Boogie’s intentions were honorable and he truly wanted to know how he could improve- but there’s a chance he approached the situation a little too defensively to get a clear answer from Coangelo.
Regardless, it’s disappointing that Cousins’ maturity or (apparent) lack thereof is being cited as the main reason he didn’t make Team USA, and I think DeMarcus should give Coangelo a little “Call Me” action to get the explanation he’s owed. DeMarcus isn’t the only former UK player labeled as an attitude (why else wouldn’t Rondo be on the team?). With Anthony Davis’ influence (a player widely lauded for his work ethic and team-first mindset), Cousins could have been the first wave of a non-British UK invasion to London, but unfortunately, it looks like we’ll have to wait til 2016 to find out.
Forget Twitter. Play me in Words With Friends, kmgeil11. 

Source: ksrcollege.com

(h/t NBA Cats)

Has it been too long since you’ve heard Nas’s catchy and inspirational “I Know I Can” set to little kids playing basketball and thus, improving their futures? Do you yearn for footage of Patrick Patterson surrounded by munchkins, one of whom insists on awkwardly resting his hand on Patterson’s shoulder despite the obvious height difference? Have you been contemplating, “Hmm, I wonder how many children think they could beat Patterson one-on-one, despite having only played basketball since Monday?” And above all else, is it too freaking hot to do anything except stay inside your (hopefully) air-conditioned residence and alternate between Internet and television?

If the answer to any or all of those is yes, you’re in luck. Patrick Patterson has released his first “vlog”- rolls right off the tongue, no? For those of you not hip (I would address this to my mom, but she has Instagram and I don’t, so that would be false advertising), a vlog is just a short video focusing on a topic or event. We’ve gone from text (Tweeting) to pictures (Instagram), and now vlogging. Apparently Patterson is ahead of the curve, because autocorrect is stubbornly insisting on changing it to “blog” every single time I type the word.

Anyway, this particular vlog showcases Patterson’s work with the participants in his Summer Basketball Camp in Houston. He’s working with Eric Love, the Rockets’ basketball director, to teach sixty kids all the fundamentals of basketball- speed and agility, skill development, passing, defense, one on one- AND life skills. I’m not sure what exactly that entails, but I would assume teamwork, confidence, and dealing with a constantly-drunk head coach. Besides the awesome soundtrack (let me just warn you that this song will be stuck in your head all. damn. night), viewers get a closer look at how Patterson is spending his off-season. For some particularly precious moments, fast forward to around the two-minute mark.

I’m inspired. Go forth and ball, BBN. Hoop dreamz foreva.

I know I can… tweet what I wanna tweet. @KristenGeilKSR

Source: ksrcollege.com

Doron Lamb’s New Home

Just ignore the guy on the left for the moment.

Survey time: Does anybody know absolutely anything about the Milwaukee Bucks? If you answered yes, you’re lying. Quick, what state is Milwaukee even in? Minnesota? Wisconsin? It’s the latter, FYI, but I bet you had to think about that one. And now, the midwestern city is Doron Lamb’s new home. Lamb, you’re not in New York anymore.

It may not be the sexiest draftee/team matchup of last week’s NBA draft, but that doesn’t mean we should devote any less attention to Lamb and the Bucks. Let’s take a quick look at what the Bucks did last year and what Lamb can expect from living and working in The City of Festivals (no, I did not make that nickname up).

Business first. Last year the Milwaukee Bucks went 31-35 in the shortened season and finished 9th in the Eastern Conference, narrowly missing the playoffs by four games. They were one of seven teams that the Charlotte Bobcats managed to beat all season. The Bucks added point guard Mike Dunleavy to their roster in December to back up Brandon Jennings, the team leader is points per game who is also well-known for his side trip to play pro ball in Italy rather than play collegiately in his gap year before his jump to the NBA. Lamb’s fellow Bucks draft pick, forward John Henson of UNC, is expected to add length (wingspan of 7’4) and defensive tenacity to the roster; once Henson develops his offensive game, he’ll be an incredibly skilled player on both sides of the ball.

I’ll admit, it sounds like a dismal scene. However, there are reasons to be optimistic for the Bucks in 2012-2013. The Bucks were close to making the playoffs all season, and unfortunately lost steam when it mattered most at the end of the season. Lamb will be playing alongside Jennings, Monta Ellis (The “Mississippi Missile” shooting guard is known for his speed and ability to score in bunches), and Drew Gooden, a skilled power forward who is capable of many double-doubles. The Bucks are a young team, and with more time to gel this season (as opposed to last year’s abbreviated schedule), they should have a real chance to make the playoffs. Lamb will fit in as a great off-the-bench scoring options, although they will look for him to add some bulk to his frame to better compete against other professional shooting guards.

Although at first I was slightly dismayed thinking of Lamb in Wisconsin (living in the Midwest hasn’t made me any more partial to the region as a whole; in fact, I’m even more of a Southern snob these days), he lived in small-town Lexington for two years and even seemed to enjoy himself (but hey, who wouldn’t with the kind of April we had this year?). His adjustment to Milwaukee, the city and the team, will be interesting to watch- but BBN has good reason to be optimistic for him.

And if all else fails, Milwaukee is known for its beaucoup of breweries and German beer, including the collegiate favorite MillerCoors (proud producer of Miller High Life, the Champagne of Beers).

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: http

The Case for Darius in the NBA

Back to New Orleans…

Kentucky fans rejoiced Thursday night as one of our favorite non-Lexington cities became the new home of two beloved Wildcats. While I’m still chuckling over the image of Davis and Miller in bunk beds in Nola (who would get the top? Everyone’s wondering), there are more reasons than established chemistry among former/future teammates that make Darius Miller a steal for the Hornets.

First, Darius has the ideal size for his position in the NBA. As a small forward/big guard hybrid, Miller stands 6 foot 8 and weighs 225 pounds. His length and size give him great versatility for defensive matchups- he could guard four different positions easily. He may not block as many shots as Anthony Davis, but he’ll give opposing guards trouble.

Miller’s size also makes his ability to hit three’s a clutch component of his future NBA game. During his junior season, he averaged 44% from three point land, which dropped a bit to 37% during his senior year. Darius will be able to help his team stretch the floor and play fast transition. Even better? Big moments no longer faze the formerly-known-as “Disappearius,” which will come in handy during professional games.

Finally, Darius’s personality and college journey will make the difference in his transition to professional basketball. He’s used to coming off the bench, so he’s less likely to get frustrated with not playing huge minutes right away; what’s more, he knows how to come off the bench and still have an impact on the game. Darius doesn’t have an ego that will get in the way, which makes him a perfect fit as a key reserve for the Hornets. Also, he played alongside John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Brandon Knight, and Lord knows how many more pros currently in the league- he’ll be able to step into the locker room right away and understand the system, giving him a head start on all the other rookies. His maturity and wise-old-man reputation on the championship team will help ease him into the league.

Darius was consistently underrated throughout his career at UK (no wonder, when you look at who he was playing alongside). However, all the pieces of Kentucky’s very own Cinderella story have finally come together to pave the way for him to have a long and accomplished professional career.

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: ksrcollege.com

Predicting the Former Cats’ Stats

Jonathan Schuette, I’m expecting a rebuttal to this post. Brad Ross of Bleacher Report crunched some numbers and came up with predictions for rookie stats for every first rounder, and he expects big things from our guys. Here’s his breakdown:

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets- 14 points, 10 rebounds, 2.8 blocks per game

2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Bobcats- 16.3 points, 6 rebounds, 1.7 steals per game

18. Terrence Jones, Houston Rockets- 10.2 points, 7.5 rebounds per game

29. Marquis Teague, Chicago Bulls- 2.1 points, 1.3 assists per game

The line for the Brow looks good. It’ll be easy for Davis to average a double-double despite still needing to bulk up- his length will help compensate for his weight. From watching him all season, I believe he’s capable of more than 2.8 blocks per game though, even at the NBA level. I’m a little confused about MKG’s predicted stats, considering most GMs and scouts seemed concerned about his jump shot and wrote him off as more of a defensive player and glue guy than scoring threat. I’d lower his points to about 12 per game and up his anticipated steals to 2-3. Jones’ prediction also seems pretty spot on; he’s got great size and the added maturity of his extra year in college, a combination that will work well with the rest of the Rockets’ roster (especially fellow UK alum Chuck Hayes and Patrick Patterson).

Personally, I find Marquis Teague’s prediction the most debatable. Derrick Rose will still be completing rehab for the first part of the season, giving Marquis a real shot at having an immediate impact. Even when Rose does come back, you have to assume he’ll be playing limited minutes. Another scenario would have Marquis running the point and taking some of the pressure off Rose, giving him more freedom to score.

There are sure to be some bumpy moments along our boys’ path to success in the NBA; however,it’s clear that the sports world has high hopes for them, and considering the level at which they succeeded in Lexington, it’s not unreasonable to believe they can surpass our wildest dreams.

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: ksrcollege.com

Let’s Put The Past Behind Us

I’ll admit it. I audibly groaned when the Hornets chose point guard Austin Rivers with their tenth pick in the first round Thursday night. Throughout his freshman year of college, he radiated cockiness while being a shoot-first point guard who didn’t always choose a great shot. He’s been called “toxic” and “locker room cancer.” Plus, Duke (enough said). And now HE was going to be on my new favorite team in the city I have already tabbed for my next residence, in charge of sending our boy Anthony Davis sick alley-oops and low-post feeds? It’s enough to make a girl “UUUGGGHHHH.”

But unfortunately, the NBA is not high school (most of the time), and in order for Davis to succeed in NOLA and win allllll the awards next season, Rivers has to succeed as well. It’s just like one of those syllogisms our teachers tried in vain to teach us before the SAT, LSAT, etc: BBN likes people who can help Anthony Davis succeed. Austin Rivers can help Anthony Davis succeed. Therefore, BBN should like Austin Rivers.

That said, I know it won’t be easy for UK fans to flip a switch on Austin Rivers. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of all the things that make Austin Rivers a likable guy, on and off the basketball court. I will concede that it wasn’t easy and I was texting Ally Tucker at 11:36pm last night begging for help. However, it’s a start.

1. Before the draft, Rivers participated in the NBA Cares event, in which 200 Harlem Boys and Girls Club members spent a day with future pros running through drills. He told a reporter after the event, “That was fun.” Charity = good. Plus, MKG was there too- he’s gotta be a good influence on anyone in his general vicinity.

2. He’s a hustler, baby. No, not in the on-court sense exactly- more like in the same sense that Anthony Davis is trying to brand himself. Much like Davis has trademarked the Brow, Rivers is in the process of trademarking the acronym “M.o.a.M”, which stands for Man on a Mission. He describes the motto as “an ideal quote for people to keep on grinding.”

3. He’s not sexist! He’s going to trademark W.o.a.M. too, saying “I want girls to be able to say they’re working hard.” Thanks, Austin! Couldn’t have done it without ya. Title IX, bro!

4. This may be a controversial item on the list, but here’s an early morning confession: when I saw this happen in real life, I was happy for the kid. Making a game-winning shot would be on my sports bucket list (along with landing a triple axel and dunking a basketball), and as long as it’s not against Kentucky, I love the drama, the excitement, and the pure joy seen in those moments. So here. Have a heart.

5. He’s got a great role model. Austin is a coach’s kid. He knows the game and has been around pros his entire life. I’m a Doc Rivers fan, and it seems like Doc has a good head on his shoulders when it comes to knowing when to give his son advice and when to back off a bit. With maturity and time, Austin can grow into the likable guy that his father is.

6. He forgets where he parked his car too. Dukies- they’re just like us.

7. And if all else fails… baby picture!

Did you just unfollow me? I was afraid that would happen. If not, @KristenGeilKSR

Source: ksrcollege.com