(Rookie Byron Mullens & Kosta Koufos have both experienced on court playoff action)The opening week of the 2010 NBA playoffs has concluded, and the action has been exciting & entertaining as expected. But as we watch clubs like Portland & Milwaukee hold their own so far, we can not help but lament the absences of Buckeyes Greg Oden & Michael Redd. If healthy, both would have had notable roles in their teams' playoff runs. It is tough for us just as fans, so we can not even imagine how it must be for two big time competitors like Mike & Greg. Only time will tell how these guys will bounce back from the injuries. It seems like the Blazer's confidence in Oden remains fairly strong. Redd on the other hand might see a more murky situation next season. #22 will not only have to physically rehab this summer, but also mentally prepare for a diminished role with Milwaukee or possibly a new club altogether.
Speaking of bouncing back, SG Daequan Cook will be one tough minded pro if he can bounce back from this season in the 2010/2011 run..because he simply did not get enough playing time to really get better this season. The minutes disparity from last season to the present is partly a result of the addition of Quentin Richardson & emergence of Dorrell Wright. And while Quan has shown some flashes in the limited time this season, his shot has largely been inconsistent, and we guess (nobody really knows except the coaches who see him in practice everyday) he has not significantly improved other areas in his game to warrant rotation minutes. But with that in mind, it's been pretty wild lately..no PT at all in recent weeks. Even some Heat fans, who have not exactly had great sympathy are wondering what is up. Evidently it would kill Head Coach Erick Spoelstra to try Cook. Could #31 be that much worse than Q-Rich on D? And Wade barely has help on O..if any..
Daequan will have to work super hard this upcoming summer. In the meantime, he's been apparently learning Spanish from Carlos Arroyo :) (NBA commerical)
With Mike Conley Jr. missing the playoffs, Oden & Redd sidelined, and Cook not getting any love from the PT gods, the only two Buckeyes to see playoff action are the two young centers Kosta Koufos & Byron Mullens (almost ironic when consider all the criticism these two endured). Koufos was called upon to fill Utah front line depth following an injury to Memet Okur. Koufos is another example of why you have always have to ready irregardless of situation. The big man out of Canton has not seen much action on NBA courts this season, but he now will have to be ready to perform at a playoff level if Boozer, and or Milsap get into foul trouble. Any positive contribution should be a great boost for Kost's confidence going into next season.
Rookie Byron Mullens received his first career playoff minutes in Oklahoma City's game 4 blowout of the Lakers. Mullens came in with about four minutes to go in the 4 quarter. He missed a couple jumpers and knocked down a free throw shot. Byron started the month of April with the Tulsa 66ers. He was solid in the D-League playoffs before being recalled back up to the Thunder prior to the NBA playoffs. Anything from here on out will be gravy on what has been a decent rookie season for Mullens. Hopefully the young center can build on this season, and push towards possibly stealing some rotation minutes on a good young Thunder team next year.
(the video below shows Koufos hitting a shot in the 4th quarter of game 2 vs Denver. He has some choice words afterwords..lol)
Speaking of bouncing back, SG Daequan Cook will be one tough minded pro if he can bounce back from this season in the 2010/2011 run..because he simply did not get enough playing time to really get better this season. The minutes disparity from last season to the present is partly a result of the addition of Quentin Richardson & emergence of Dorrell Wright. And while Quan has shown some flashes in the limited time this season, his shot has largely been inconsistent, and we guess (nobody really knows except the coaches who see him in practice everyday) he has not significantly improved other areas in his game to warrant rotation minutes. But with that in mind, it's been pretty wild lately..no PT at all in recent weeks. Even some Heat fans, who have not exactly had great sympathy are wondering what is up. Evidently it would kill Head Coach Erick Spoelstra to try Cook. Could #31 be that much worse than Q-Rich on D? And Wade barely has help on O..if any..
Daequan will have to work super hard this upcoming summer. In the meantime, he's been apparently learning Spanish from Carlos Arroyo :) (NBA commerical)
With Mike Conley Jr. missing the playoffs, Oden & Redd sidelined, and Cook not getting any love from the PT gods, the only two Buckeyes to see playoff action are the two young centers Kosta Koufos & Byron Mullens (almost ironic when consider all the criticism these two endured). Koufos was called upon to fill Utah front line depth following an injury to Memet Okur. Koufos is another example of why you have always have to ready irregardless of situation. The big man out of Canton has not seen much action on NBA courts this season, but he now will have to be ready to perform at a playoff level if Boozer, and or Milsap get into foul trouble. Any positive contribution should be a great boost for Kost's confidence going into next season.
Rookie Byron Mullens received his first career playoff minutes in Oklahoma City's game 4 blowout of the Lakers. Mullens came in with about four minutes to go in the 4 quarter. He missed a couple jumpers and knocked down a free throw shot. Byron started the month of April with the Tulsa 66ers. He was solid in the D-League playoffs before being recalled back up to the Thunder prior to the NBA playoffs. Anything from here on out will be gravy on what has been a decent rookie season for Mullens. Hopefully the young center can build on this season, and push towards possibly stealing some rotation minutes on a good young Thunder team next year.
(the video below shows Koufos hitting a shot in the 4th quarter of game 2 vs Denver. He has some choice words afterwords..lol)
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