Hoops4theSoul

Oct

9

NBA Rookie Showdown: Joakim Noah versus Yi Jianlian

Filed Under Analysis, Previews & Reviews, NBA, Chicago Bulls | Leave a Comment

Joakim Noah and Yi Jianlian Made Their Pro Debuts for the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks While the Milwaukee Bucks may have beaten the Chicago Bulls 93-88 tonight largely on a fourth quarter effort by second-stringers playing against mostly guys who won’t be in the league in a month, the game was very revealing in terms of both teams’ top draft choices. Chicago rookie Joakim Noah played a solid game, scoring six points in 23 minutes, while Bucks rookie Yi Jianlian notched three points and six fouls in 15 ineffective minutes.

For Yi, the adjustment to the NBA may take a full season, perhaps like the player he has been compared to, Dirk Nowitzki, who struggled in his first season in the league.

All in all, Noah was very energetic and heady, his trademarks at the University of Florida. While Noah is not going to be a big-time scorer, he does all the little things that Chicago fans will come to appreciate.

by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com



Oct

9

NBA Preseason Basketball: Chicago Bulls versus Milwaukee Bucks

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Yi Jianlian Makes His Debut with the Milwaukee Bucks TonightThe Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks will kick off their respective pre-seasons in Lacrosse, Wisconsin in less than 30 minutes. The last time these two teams played, Chicago’s Ben Gordon and Milwaukee’s Michael Redd combined for 100 points in a thrilling overtime victory for the Bulls near the end of last season. That’s obviously not going to happen tonight as Gordon may sit out with a mild ankle sprain. With that said, this game will be worth watching just to get a glimpse at Bucks rookie Yi Jianlian from China and Bulls rookie Joakim Noah.

By Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com



Oct

9

Another Late Night, Another Teenwolf Sighting

Filed Under On This Day . . ., Loose Balls | 1 Comment

Charles Barkley Loves His TeenwolfDuring the first round of the 2002 Western Conference playoffs, the Seattle Sonics were trailing the San Antonio Spurs two games to one in the best-of-five series. The Sonics would respond with a Game Four thumping of the Spurs, which were without superstar Tim Duncan, who was tending to the death of his father.

Anyways, Gary Payton and the Sonics would annihilate the Spurs before losing in five games. Providing some levity after Game Four, Charles Barkley would rattle off one of his greatest one-liners on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Not taking too much stock in San Antonio’s loss, Barkely opinioned that “the Spurs could have had Teenwolf tonight and would have still lost.”

by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com



Oct

9

On This Day in Basketball History — 1970

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Kenny Anderson, a former Queens playground legend and Georgia Tech star, turns 37 years old today. After a successful 14-year career in the NBA, most notably with the New Jersey Nets, Portland Trailblazers and the Boston Celtics, Anderson will begin his first year as Head Coach of the Atlanta Krunk, a Continental Basketball Association (CBA) team that will begin its inaugural season on November 16th. It’s only fitting that Anderson, who helped guide Georgia Tech to the Final Four in 1990 and played for the Hawks in his final NBA season, is back in Atlanta.

Kenny Anderson, Who is 37 Today, Will be a Guest Blogger at ClassicAthletes.comAnderson will be detailing his first-year experiences as a Head Coach throughout the season at our affiliate, ClassicAthletes.com, beginning next week on October 15th. Be sure to tune in for Anderson’s insight on the CBA as the former great point guard begins a coaching career that he hopes leads him to the sidelines of the NBA.

by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com