Former UK players in the NBA
by BigSkyCat on Nov 4, 2010 7:21 PM EDT
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PrintI don't know about all of you, but I have watched more early-season NBA basketball this year than I have in probably the last five years combined. Since the NBA season is so long and what with the fact that there is usually a game on almost every night at least on some channel, it gives me a chance to see all our former players pretty often. I'm totally enjoying it.
I'm not sure if any of you caught last night's matchup in Sacramento between the Lakers and the Kings, but it was a pretty good game early on. I thought DeMarcus had some pretty impressive spin moves, a couple which even impressed Lakers fans. His stat line wasn't stellar like John Wall's recent home debut, but nonetheless, I thought he did fine against what is a legitimate NBA title-contending team with some very experienced and very skilled players. It will be interesting to see his game mature and I look forward to watching more of him as well as all our former ‘Cats in their new professions.
No, don't worry, this post isn't about the Lakers (I know some of you don't really care for them), but rather it's about the fact that one of my Laker-fan friends who lives in Sacramento actually attended last night's matchup and was kind enough to get some pictures for us. Some are a little grainy as the players are obviously in motion, and it's darn near impossible to get a decent picture when objects are in motion, but since he went to all the trouble to do this and went totally out of his way to go to the arena early in order to take a few pictures of the opposing team and DeMarcus before the game, well, I thought the least I could do would be to share them with all of you -- all of you who loved watching DeMarcus in the blue-and-white last season. It's kind of neat to see things through the eyes of a regular fan just hanging around on the sidelines once in a while as opposed to all the professional pics that we might run across because they seem more personal. (thanks a ton, bluexfalcon, you are a doll : ))
Here are the pics:
Feel free to use this post to talk about anything that might be related to any of our formers players that are currently in the NBA and what you might be able to share about how they are doing. I know Rondo is having a killer season, at least assist-wise so far, that's neat to see, and I also see that Bledsoe did pretty well for himself the other night for his new team, the L.A. Clippers.
Have at it, people, and give a shout out to blue for the pics as he isn't a Kings fan nor is he currently a UK fan. He doesn't have a college basketball team that he follows, actually, so I've been actively recruiting him for us as we could always use a few more great fans and he already has the word "blue" in his SBNation username, so he's a natural, I figure.
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Thanks for posting this BSC
Rec’d
What great pics!!
Like you, I don’t normally watch too much NBA, but I’ve found myself paying a bit more attention, and actually watched part of last night’s Lakers v. Kings game.
And, it’s great to see Bledsoe getting a chance so early in the season. He’s gonna be a good one, probably sooner than expected.
Great job BSC
I don’t hear much about Big Cuz these days, but have been able to keep up with John Wall some. A friend of mine at work, (an Ohio State fan) and I have gone back and forth about Wall vs. Turner for some time. I told him last year that Turner stole the Player of the Year award, and that Wall would definitely go #1 in the Draft. Of course, he thought Turner deserved everything he got. Just last week he said we’d keep up with how they both did this year. A couple of days later, Wall scored 29 points and had 13 assists against Turner’s team. Turner had 9 points and zero rebounds. So far, John Wall has shown he is the real deal!
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
More NBA for me too ...
I know its just the beginning of the seson but Wall has already nearly had a triple double and is second in the league in assists (I think)- incredible …. but maybe not so much for us UK fans who have been watching him and know what he can do… Rookie of the Year likely (PS… Colin Cowherd is a complete moron … has absolutley no concept of JW)
The thing that has intrigued me is the Houston Rockets and Pat Patterson … Rockets are 0-4 and really need help, they are having trouble rebounding and some of their bigs are coming off injuries ,,, It just seems like they really need the energy of Patterson and yet – No Pat.
Rockets.
Yeah, that is so weird about Patterson, isn’t it? I haven’t been reading a ton about him so I don’t know the reasoning behind him not playing, just that he was on the inactive list for some reason and then to see them go 0-4 early on? It’s just weird. Yeah, there is a lot of season left and their record could certainly skyrocket (ha ha ha) with no problems or adjustments, but I really thought he was at least going to be seeing some playing time.
I’m going to a Rockets/Kings game in April. It would be super neat if he were active by then. I’d love to see him take the floor.
Rookie watch is a good one, too. My vote either goes to Griffin or Wall. Without Griffin I would say it would be Wall no problem, but with Griffin being hurt last year, he’s still considered a Rookie this year and can win it. Darn it.
Update ...
Patterson assigned to D league … team sites depth at the position … UGGH :(
FREE ENES …… TRADE PATTERSON
former uk players who have been playing this year stats
wall 23ppg 10apg
cousins 13ppg 6 rpg
prince 13ppg 3rpg
rondo 11ppg 16apg
bledsoe 6ppg 2apg
hayes 5ppg 3rpg
maglore 4ppg 1rpg
bogans 3ppg 3rpg
4 guys avg double digits, 2 avg double-doubles
and bledsoe getting some pt.. had 17 pts and 8 ast the other night vs the okc thunder.. uk well repersented in the NBA
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Standing ovation
On another site I read that when Eric went out of the game for good, he got a standing ovation from the King fans – I thought that was great – go Eric…!
Nick
Big Sky Cat
Like you and most of us, gals anyway,——-NBA is well what is it?? But we know our Cats——-I find myself watching more of the PROS!!!!!! Once a CAT always a CAT====and we always support our C A T S!!!!!! Just sort of extends the season for us. We get to see our boys earlier than usual and longer than usual. Win Win situtation!!!! And we get to watch our boys in BLUE to boot! HEAVEN!!!
Well,
I actually do like the NBA. I was raised on it right along with college basketball. All basketball was a huge deal at my house growing up. But, normally, and what I really meant was that I don’t usually go out of my way to watch any games that don’t feature my NBA team of choice normally. Like, I wouldn’t usually go out of my way to catch an early season Rockets, Wizards, Celtics, Kings, etc. game before, but now, what with all our boys being so active, well, I totally do. And, it’s really fun.
Cuz is going to have to stop lowering that left shoulder of hi or they are going to
foul him out of every game. He is an amazing powerhouse inside, but his footwork has to get a little better or guys like Gasol are going to simply let him foul himself out. But man when he has the ball is he doing things with it. And no one on that team is hustling more. One minute he is dunking the ball and the next he is scrambling on the floor for a loose ball…..just like the DeMarcus of Kentucky.
I Shall Always Be The Cat......In The Hat!!! The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 5, 2010 10:38 AM EDT reply actions
that's so funny.
that you said — “just like the DeMarcus of Kentucky”. I was thinking that same thing watching him. It really wasn’t that different (well, you know, other than the uniform) than last year and it was so nice to see.
I mean, obviously and like you mentioned he will need to step up his game now, this is serious and the players are much more skilled than what he faced previously, but I guess I just kind of expected to see a whole new DeMarcus and it was a nice surprise that he was still the same intense competitor, he still had that playful nature to him (teasingly butt-slapping Kobe and Pau) his game was still super fun to watch (well, other than those 4 three pointers he took the other night, WTF??) and he was still cute as ever. Yeah, it was neat.
Kings fan here
I love Cousins, but his ability to get into foul trouble is a little disturbing. Hopefully it’s just a rookie thing.
"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"- Dirty Harry
he got over it about 10 games into the season last year...coaches had to work with him some, but he did adjust
I Shall Always Be The Cat......In The Hat!!! The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 5, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't believe I'm going to say this,
but yes, yes, I am. I think a lot of his fouls the other night were due to the fact that he got beat by his man and his fouls were reaching in. I can remember 3 such instances. If he gets better on defense he won’t have to worry about those silly little reach-ins.
Is that a Calipari thing?
Cal’s other player Evans is called for a lot of reach in’s. I wonder if that’s the way Cal thought these guys to play defense?
"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"- Dirty Harry
by KD1 on Nov 5, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I watched that game
And yes that was the main reason, being out of position. Guys like Gasol can fool you with their first step and speed to the basket.
No offense BSC, but I cannot stand the Lakers since Jackson became their coach. I loved them when they were truly “Show-Time” under Pat.
Nick
no offense taken.
None at all. It’s funny, I actually take way more shit for being a Laker fan than I do a UK fan, so I’m actually pretty used to it. And, at least you provided a reason, instead of the usual, "Lakers suck!!!" ridiculousness. So, no problem here. : )
I was born in ’75, so by the time "Showtime" came around I was old enough to know what was what in the world of professional basketball and I remember those years quite well as my dad was a huge Laker fan and they were just a part of our lives. We always watched.
It’s actually kind of ironic about Riley now, he takes quite a bit of heat amongst Laker fans for the fact that he assembled the trio down in Miami. I can understand that it’s just business and I think it was pretty smart on his part, and although I don’t particularly care for LeBron and don’t think that trio will amount to all their hype, I just find it interesting how things can totally change fans’ minds about stuff or people. He was once revered among the Laker faithful, now not so much.
It looks like Cuz
will be benched for Sam Dalembert. Coach said he might be able to stretch 6 fouls longer with less playing time!
Happy Days are here again! Wildcat's have #1 recruiting class again!
Cuz will definitely be coming off the bench
But the plan was for him to come off the bench anyways this season. Cuz only started because Dalembert was hurt.
"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"- Dirty Harry
by KD1 on Nov 5, 2010 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually calipari teams usually are very good at defense
evans, cousins are still young… nba defense is quite different than ncaa
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Cousins has a bad habit
of reaching on defense and for rebounds. He exhibited a lot last year. When he learns to move his feet and jump, there will be no stopping him. Just has a bad habit to break. Don’t we all?
Very good and informative post BSC. I pay attention to the NBA a little more now since they made the players stop most of the “wrestling” and play BB. LOL
We're as good as the best and better than the rest.
In basketball that is.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
FREE ENES!!
why,
thank you, alwaysblue. Thank you very much. That’s really sweet of you to say. And, yes, I will let my friend know.
I’ve never actually taken any formal photography classes, but I love taking pictures (any of my FB friends can attest to this, I post an insane amount of pictures) and I actually have two little kids, so I’m at least a little familiar with trying to get pictures of objects in motion. It’s not easy and in fact it’s quite possible that my girls suffer from flash blindness because I snap so many. ; )
Oh, be sure and tell your friend that the pics are very good. At one time I was REALLY into photography and I know how hard it is to stop motion. Takes a lot of skill. Had a non accredited course in Texas back in the ’80’s and the instructor really knew her stuff. Learned a lot.
We're as good as the best and better than the rest.
In basketball that is.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
FREE ENES!!
Rondo
Of all the Cats playing in the NBA Rondo is having the best start and has been simply amazing with his play. I have to confess that during last nights game against Dillard I found myself watching the Celtics game quite a lot. This young man ever starts hitting his mid-range jumper on a consistent basis he will be the undisputed number one point guard in the NBA for years to come. John Wall will have his work cut out for him to match Rondo – again it depends on his jumper being consistent.
I look at the point guard situation developing like this:
- Rondo
- Wall
- Rose
- Paul
- a lot of other guys
Nick
Maybe 2 or 3 years from now it could look like that
right now I’d put Deron Williams, Rose, and Steve Nash up ahead of Wall. Roy, Billups, Paul, Kidd, Parker are still pretty good too. And personally I like Rodney Stuckey and Jose Calderon, though they aren’t quite the talents of John Wall. I guess Dwyane Wade is technically a SG. But there are tons of good guards in the League right now.
I love that Eric Bledsoe is getting a shot so early in his career to show what he can do. And he is making BBN proud. I always thought his skills were underutilized here at UK, but with John Wall also on the team, it’s obviously tough to put the ball in Bledsoe’s hands instead. I hope he has a solid NBA career. Same for PPat – what an all-around class act and great performer!
yea rondo and rose are top 2
wall with more experience and IF the wizards get him some help could be up there with rondo and rose, nash is a little past his prime and look for cp3 to get back up there this year.. he is playing awesome this year so far but rondo is on another level
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wild
They have been trying to write off Steve Nash for years.He is a five time member of 50-40-90 club. Thats more than any other player in history. One of only 2 to ever do this more than once. Only player to do this 5 seasons in a row. He led the league in free throw percentage ahd assists last year. He continues to play like this at 36 years of age!
Happy Days are here again! Wildcat's have #1 recruiting class again!
oh nash is still awesome but what i meant was
about 3 to 5 years ago he was clearly the best pg in the nba… he is still top 5 but rondo is #1 right now
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Given a choice
Any general manager or NBA coach would kill for either Rondo or Wall as their starter over Nash or even Rose IMO. Even the NBA commentators think that Rondo is by far the number one PG at this time. His passing is just amazing to watch, truly unbelieveable at times how he can snake that ball through the legs and arms of the other team. And his defense is always outstanding.
Nick
Kansas.....
Yes and the sun hasn’t begun to set. Not for a long time. Go Wall and Rondo. Both of you ARE and always will be UK Wildcats. Yessssssss!
We're as good as the best and better than the rest.
In basketball that is.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
FREE ENES!!
Both of you undoubtably
don’t watch all the NBA! Nash has won the “skills challenge” at all star game twice including last year. He can pass circles around these young guys. Wait till Rondo has led the league in anything or been back to back MVP before crowning him the best at anything!
Happy Days are here again! Wildcat's have #1 recruiting class again!
skills challenge ..lol
dont get me wrong it isnt easy to win that but it is a freaking obstacle course…and since rondo has out shined nash these last few years (including nash skills championship year last year) and was great during their championship run id say rondo is better then nash…RIGHT NOW is the key words.. those back to back mvps mean nothing at this very moment
FREE ENES
by kentuckywild on Nov 8, 2010 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
also im a nba tv subscriber so..umm.. yea i watch alot of nba
im also a BIG spurs fan..was born in san antonio, moved to louisville before my first birthday…have always cheered for the spurs but uk is team above any
FREE ENES
by kentuckywild on Nov 8, 2010 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
Wall Rivals Big "O"
First player with 7 or more assists in first 5 games since Oscar in 1960 — let’s see, that would be 50 years.
"I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes." Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776
rondo through first 7 games has 103 assists .....
the guys #of assists and steals get better every year
FREE ENES
there are point guards that dont get that many all year.....geez
I am now and forever shall be The Cat In The Hat....The Artist formerly known as ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 9, 2010 7:54 AM EST up reply actions
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