| 15 February 2009
The Rookie vs. Sophomore Game in the past has been a debacle of defense that just consists of turnovers, failed alley-oops, and matador defense. A couple of years ago, it turned into a faux-dunk contest with guys not even crossing half court. This year, I was hoping for a bit of a better game with one of the best composition of players that we've ever seen in this game. Here are my notes from following the game.
- Kevin Harlan and LeBron James are doing the pre-game for the Rookie-Sophomore Game. Kevin attempts to fire up the crowd by asking them if they recognize LeBron. Way to get everyone excited, Kev.
- We cut to Kenny Smith who is interviewing Dwyane Wade (coach of the Rookie team) and Dwight Howard (coach of the Sophomore team). Dwyane Wade has attempted humor by dressing like he's in Weezer and Dwight Howard is dressed in a normal suit. But it's Kenny Smith's Karl Malone Jacket that really seems to be the funny thing about this interview.
- Dwyane Wade has a band-aid on his cheek with his own last name on it. Somewhere, millions of people are making Nelly jokes. I will not comply because mine will probably not be the funniest one.
- Wait a second, Dwyane Wade is doing the introductions and has announced Kurt Rambis as his coach for the night. Have I been duped here? I also just found out that Greg Oden isn't playing due to injury. This is NOT helping my case that he's not a bust with the morons who think that he's injury prone and don't actually watch his play.
- Dwight Howard announced that a man named John Kuester is helping him out on the bench. I'm starting to get the feeling that this All Star Weekend is going to be more choreographed than improvised. That is not a good feeling. It's a WWE feeling.
- I can't get over the fact that Luis Scola looks like a girl I went to grade school with. Only he has less facial hair.
- LeBron James is talking about Kevin Durant improving his shot management and realizing when to take certain shots. Isn't this the same LeBron who can get to the basket whenever he wants but settles for jumpers? Maybe later Ben Wallace can give us tips on how to shoot threes.
- The Rookie uniforms were designed by a student. This is clearly a case of rookie hazing because there's no way wearing these aren't more embarrassing than carrying around Hello Kitty backpacks.
- Michael Beasley is wearing two different shoes. I think we're having a relapse of the rookie symposium incident.
- Kevin Durant just dunked on Brook Lopez. Lopez definitely wasn't ready for that and Kevin Durant looks like he's the only one taking this seriously. This could vault him into a G-E-I-C-O win tomorrow. I'm glad I picked him.
- We're nine minutes in and 45 points have been scored with the Rookies up 23-22. Somewhere, Mike D'Antoni is getting all hot and bothered in the good way.
- Kenny Smith is wondering why LeBron's triple double at MSG was taken away from him. He is dumbfounded as to why someone would go back and look at it again and that if it wasn't caught the first time then it should just be the way it originally was. So mistakes shouldn't be fixed, Kenny? Would you feel the same about an election that needed a recount? What about anything that instant replay has ever fixed? I think LeBron will like you whether you think he deserves a triple-double or not.
- Derrick Rose just passed up a wide-open three to take a step in for a 20-footer with a hand in his face. Fundamentals run rampant.
- Michael Beasley apparently didn't mean to wear two different colored shoes. He was rushed and didn't notice it. Yep, he's definitely high.
- Dwight Howard just extended a fist in a jabbing motion. Either, he's calling out a play or he's trying to get some dap from guys running by.
- LeBron just said that O.J. Mayo has been successful in basketball so far because he can shoot the ball. Our not-so-resident cynic, Andy Eisner, just got made saying that he's been saying that for 15, 30 years. He's 26 years old.
- Kenny Smith just said that flat tops used to be the equivalent of players these days getting tattoos. Apparently, that's hilarious because LeBron laughed and Kevin Harlan then laughed to fit in.
- Jeff Green ends the half with a steal and a buzzer-beater three to bring the game to Rookies 61, Sophomores 58.
- Pau Gasol switched places with LeBron and is talking international ball with Kevin Harlan and Kenny Smith. No one has had the balls to question whether or not Marc Gasol is the smelliest guy on the court.
- I've never seen a defense quite like what the rookies are employing. Five guys guarding the perimeter; nobody guarding the paint.
- Pau Gasol describes every international player that they ask him about as, "knows how to play." Dynamite drop-in, Monty (Major League II reference)!
- Kevin Durant just threw the ball off the backboard to Aaron Brooks on a two on zero fastbreak. Let's never do that again, Kevin. You're being a nice guy and a good teammate but you should dazzle the crowd on your own.
- Kenny Smith just threw out the name Bentley Farnsworth when Kevin Harlan was trying to figure out who Dwyane Wade looked like in his bow-tie. Man, I can't wait for Barkley Charles to come back to TNT.
- Kevin Durant just saluted after hitting a 30-footer. Bill Simmons just went from six to midnight.
- Apparently, Kevin Durant grew two inches since this competition started. Craig Sager just asked Derrick Rose about a seven-footer, Kevin Durant, who can shoot the ball like he does. By the end of the weekend and with a win in G-E-I-C-O, he'll be 8'1" and have an 87-inch vertical.
- With 6:30 left in the game, Kevin Durant sets the record for the Rookie-Soph game with 37 points. Not bad for a guy that's 7'8" and has 12 fingers.
- Dwight Howard busts out his Stan Van Gundy impersonation. Andy nearly spit out his water in horror.
- Kenny Smith says his first funny comment of the entire night. He commented on Dwight Howard saying that he watched a player as a young high-schooler. "What is he 20 years old? Can he even buy milk?"
- Apparently everybody is growing during this game. Michael Beasley is now 6'10" according to Kevin Harlan.
- Kevin Durant just gave the Sophomores a seven-point lead with 30 seconds to go with a vicious dunk. The city of Seattle is throwing things at their televisions.
- Durant pours in two more free throws to give him 46 points on 17/25 shooting. Granted, most of those were wide-open dunks but 46 is still 46. Kenny Smith thinks that he set the tone for this early, which made sure that it wouldn't be boring. Um...it wasn't boring? That's like saying an ugly girl is pretty because she did her make-up and put on nice clothes. She is still ugly but looks pretty for her. This game was fun to watch for a Rookie-Sophomore game but it still was boring basketball.
- Final score: Sophomores 122, Rookies 116. MVP is Kevin Durant. Well deserved.
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