Kemba Walker got his validation Monday night in Houston. UConn’s national championship win over the Butler Bulldogs was Walker’s stamp of approval, the moment that capped his 2010-11 of clutch shots and supreme leadership, all special and all his own. NBA talent evaluators love that kind of star turn. Some use the NCAA tournament as…
Big shots on big stage help polish Brandon Knight’s resume for Draft
John Wall wins Eastern Conference rookie of the month again
John Wall was named Eastern Conference rookie of the month for February after averaging 16.5 points and 7.9 assists in 12 games. Wall had four games with at least 20 points, five games with at least 10 assists and four double-doubles. He had back-to-back games with at least 20 points and 10 assists in losses to Philadelphia and Miami. He also helped the Wizards end a 26-game road losing streak by getting 19 points and 14 assists in a win in Cleveland.
The New York Knicks have waived former Cat Kelenna Azubuike
The New York Knicks have waived guard Kelenna Azubuike, who never played for the team while recovering from major knee surgery. Azubuike was acquired from Golden State on July 9 in the sign-and-trade deal that sent David Lee to the Warriors. He was expected to be ready early in the season after missing the last 73 games in 2009-10, but never got into a game despite saying recently he believed he was close. The move Monday opens a roster spot for a Knicks team that is looking to add size.
Newly acquired Thunder’s Nazr Mohammed familiar with trades, success
Six years ago Thursday, Gregg Popovich traded for a starting center, made him a backup and gave him 18 minutes a game the rest of the season. The San Antonio Spurs went on to win the 2005 NBA title. Thursday, the Thunder traded for a starting (mostly) center, made him a backup and probably will give him about 18 minutes a game the rest of the season. Same guy. Nazr Mohammed. The Thunder acquired the 6-foot-10 Mohammed on Thursday from the Charlotte Bobcats.
Former Cat Chuck Hayes sets arena record for offensive rebounds
Antawn Jamison, J.J. Hickson, Ryan Hollins and Samardo Samuels played a total of 96 minutes Wednesday night and combined for nine rebounds. Chuck Hayes had that many offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone. It’s no wonder the Houston Rockets beat the Cavaliers, 124-119, at Quicken Loans Arena in the first game following the All-Star break. The Cavs were demolished on the glass 57-37. A big part of that was Hayes, whose 17 rebounds were a season high and whose 12 offensive rebounds were both a career high and an arena record.
Photo: Former Cat Rajon Rondo makes the cover of Sports Illustrated
Photo: Former Cat Rajon Rondo makes the cover of February Sports Illustrated
John Wall wins Eastern Conference rookie of the month
John Wall finally ended the stranglehold that New York Knicks guard Landy Fields had on the Eastern Conference rookie of the month honors, as the No. 1 overall pick was awarded the honor on Tuesday for the month of January. Wall averaged 13.9 points and 10.5 assists, but more importantly, he played in every game, although he was admittedly pushing through pain in his left foot, both knees, and sports a deep gash inside his left thumb from a floor burn.
Antoine Walker is not giving up easily in his push to make it back to the NBA
You could make a case that since the NBA’s developmental league debuted in 2001, there has not been a more celebrated or marquee player to pass through than Antoine Walker. He is currently playing his trade for the Idaho Stampede in one final attempt to make it back to the NBA, where he won an NBA title with the Miami Heat, made three All-Star appearances as a Boston Celtic, and earned more than $100 million over 12 seasons.
Former Cat Kelenna Azubuike might not be ready to play this season
Coach Mike D’Antoni gave his most damning assessment of Kelenna Azubuike’s status last night, as the Knicks worse fears are being realized that he might not be ready this season or ever play a game for the team. “He’s not ready, physically,” D’Antoni said of Azubuike, who is recovering from left knee surgery. “If you watch the scrimmages, he doesn’t have the pop and it’s going to be a while before he gets it back. He can [play in] scrimmages, but he’s not strong enough or able to go sideways or able to have an NBA physical talent level. It’s just not there yet.”
More info on DeMarcus Cousins getting kicked out of practice
When the Kings debated drafting DeMarcus Cousins fifth overall out of Kentucky in the June draft, they were well aware that the decision was a classic risk-vs.-reward quandary. Four-plus months after taking the risk and hoping for the reward, the former is far outweighing the latter.