Rondo’s Suspension
Some prefer the good news first but here let’s start with the not-so-good. Rajon Rondo just returned from his 3-game suspension due to his altercation with/for his spitting on Chris Paul. The feud appeared on National TV & headlined the sports world.
Rondo has played well so far for the Lakers, averaging 12.8 points & 8.5 assists per game. He’s also uncharacteristically shooting 57% from the field & 50% behind the arc. However, he lost his starting job to Lonzo Ball during the suspension with only time deciding if he will retain it or not.
Cousins’ Ejection
Demarcus Cousins was ejected? Who could’ve seen this coming? The newest member of the Golden State Warriors was given a one-technical foul ejection in Madison Square Garden for a verbal altercation from the bench with none other than fellow-former Kentucky Wildcat, Enes Kanter.
That’s right, Cousins isn’t looking at playing until 2019 yet still found a way to get ejected. Having passion & emotion is usually a positive aspect to a player, but Cousins remains on the wrong side of showing his emotions.
Monk & Poythress Get Their Chance
Despite extremely different paths to the Association, two former Wildcats have found their opportunity in the NBA. Alex Poythress & Malik Monk are finally getting more minutes in their respective rotations.
In Atlanta, Poythress has averaged 18 minutes in the Hawks’ first six games, averaging 5.4 PPG on 53% from the field.
In Charlotte, Monk’s minutes have nearly doubled. In his second year, Malik is averaging 11 PPG.
Neither are receiving a substantial role in their team’s game-plan but are both working their way up.
Devin Booker’s Hot Start
Despite being barely 22 years old, Devin Booker seems to have a place of quality stature in the NBA. As proof, Booker is averaging 27.8 PPG on 50% from the field in Phoenix’s first six games.
The season is young but Booker is certainly living up to the max-extension he signed this past summer. The Suns are only 1-5, but having Booker as the centerpiece of that team for the foreseeable future is a positive note for Phoenix.
Wildcats are Kings in Sacramento
The Sacramento Kings are, surprisingly, 4-3 to start the season. Unsurprisingly, a lot of credit goes to the play of former Wildcats De’Aaron Fox & Willie Cauley-Stein.
Cauley-Stein is having his best start to a season, averaging 18 PPG & 8.7 rebounds on 58% from the floor.
Likewise, Fox has started his sophomore season by averaging 18 PPG & 7 APG. His shooting efficiency needs improvement, but he’s trending in the positive direction.
Although it’s likely the Kings eventually come back down to Earth, seeing former Wildcats shine is always a positive sign.
Davis & Randle Pair in New Orleans
The Pelicans have started 4-2, to sit fifth in the Western Conference standings. En route to the solid start, former Wildcats Anthony Davis & Julius Randle have been instrumental for New Orleans.
In regards to Davis, he’s making his early MVP case by averaging 27.3 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.8 blocks per game & 2.5 steals per game. He’s also shooting 52% from the field & 57% from behind the arc.
For Randle, the free agent signing seems to be marquee for the Pelicans’. The former Laker is averaging 17.7 PPG & 7.5 RPG while shooting 54% from the floor.
Losing both Cousins & Rondo this summer left questions surrounding the team this season but, at least early on, they seem to have all of the answers.