Wednesday Quickies: NBA Cats Dominate Edition

It was a good night for Kentucky’s alumni in the NBA last night.

Anthony Davis led his Los Angeles Lakers squad to an easy victory over the Memphis Grizzlies by putting forth one of the best performances we may see all year. In only 31 minutes of game action, Davis put up 40 points and 20 rebounds, to go along with a pair of assists and a pair of steals, drawing a standing ovation from the Staples Center crowd.

Davis was 7-17 from the floor, but was an absurd 26-27 from the free throw line on the night. According to ESPN, Davis is the first Laker to put up 40 and 20 in the same game since Shaquille O’Neal did it 16 years ago. He also reached that milestone in the fewest minutes of anyone in NBA history.

While Davis’s performance was historic and one of the best we’ll see this year, another Wildcat was also making some noise just a few games into his rookie season.

The Miami Heat picked up a win against the Atlanta Hawks last night to move to 3-1 in Jimmy Butler’s awaited debut with the team, but it was former Wildcat Tyler Herro who stole the show in last night’s game by leading the Heat with 29 points, 19 of which came in the second quarter alone.

Herro scored the ball efficiently, shooting 7-9 from the floor and knocking down 3 of 4 three-pointers. Herro made his living at the free throw line, knocking down 12-16 free throws.

Herro’s teammate, Jimmy Butler, the coveted offseason addition for Miami, had some positive things to say about Herro after the game.

“It doesn’t surprise me and I don’t think it surprises anyone in this building anymore,” Butler said. “... The guy is a real player.”

With performances like this, Herro will be a go-to option for this Miami squad that is starting the season strong and aims to contend for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Herro’s Miami teammate and former Wildcat Bam Adebayo also had a solid showing in last night’s game, finishing with a double-double at 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Props to the former Cats on their huge performances last night!

Tweet of the Day

The Grizzlies had no answer.

Quickies

Ten predictions for Cal’s second decade - Herald Leader

Which is most likely?

Kentucky has discovered its strength on defense - KSR

The front seven are coming into their own.

How a career ending injury led to Jun Sumrall returning as a UK Coach - Courier Journal

A neat look at how things play out.

Two former Cats are making waves as NFL pass rushers - Herald Leader

Josh and Za’Darius are terrorizing opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks.

Patrick Patterson has praise for PJ Washington - Cats Pause

Patterson thinks Washington is a “freak of nature.”

Will De’Aaron Fox have a breakout season? - Cats Pause

NBA GMs seem to like Fox this season.

Rhyne Howard named preseason Coaches All-SEC - KSR

Another honor for Howard.

NCAA set to update rules regarding name, image, likeness - Yahoo

A game-changer.

NCAA finally surrenders, now time to negotiate - The Athletic

I’m interested to see what happens next.

Bengals decide to bench Andy Dalton - ESPN

It looks like Dalton’s time in Cincinnati will soon be coming to an end.

Nets officials concerned about Kyrie’s mood swings - Yahoo

Things aren’t off to a hot start in Brooklyn.

Which teams can crash the College Football Playoff - CBS Sports

LSU and Penn St. are primed to contend for their first playoff appearance.

Is Emoni Bates the next big thing? - SI

The 15-year-old is already considered the next great prospect and drawing Durant comparisons.