NBA 2013 All-Star Weekend: Rising Stars Challenge

Image: CBS Sports

The 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend is being staged as one of the most exciting event in the league for this season and rightfully so with a showcase of individual talents lined up over the weekend's activities. The first part of the weekend basketball showcase kicked off last Friday via the Rising Stars Challenge featuring rookie and sophomore players. This year features the battle between Team Chuck and Team Shaq once again and here is a breakdown of the players that make up the roster:

Team Chuck:

Tristan Thompson
Anthony Davis
Kenneth Faried
Kawhi Leonard
Bradley Beal
Ricky Rubio
Nikola Vucevic
Brandon Knight
Isaiah Thomas
Alexey Shved 

Team Shaq:

Kemba Walker
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Damian Lillard
Kyrie Irving
Andrew Nicholson
Klay Thompson
Harrison Barnes
Chandler Parsons
Dion Waiters
Tyler Zeller

Team Chuck vs Team Shaq (source: sneakernews.com)

This is the second time that the Rising Stars challenge in the NBA All-Stars consisted of a mix of rookie and sophomore players. And it helped to bring forth exciting action on the court as fans were treated to several highlight plays, dunks, and all things in between.  

Kyrie Irving was the MVP from last year's Rising Star Challenge and he registered 32 points along with 23 points from his Cavaliers teammate Dion Waiters, who is also part of Team Shaq. As if it were any sign of how exciting this game would be, Spurs' Kawhi Leonard slammed the ball to the hoop via an alley-oop pass from Anthony Davis within 20 seconds since the game kicked off.

However, Team Chuck was on fire leading to halftime wherein they were firing from all cylinders. They have landed several 3-point shots and dunks that were virtually uncontested. In fact, all of the players fielded in for Team Chuck had converted a 3-point shot but Tristan Thompson. But in order to make up for that, he has four dunks under his name.

Ricky Rubio, who has had a pretty strong return this season from Minnesota Timberwolves after suffering an injury, and made 10 assists. Later in the game, though, Brandon Knight and Kyrie Irving stole the show after their short individual duel. But the real star of the 2013 Rising Stars Challenge was Kenneth Faried who bagged 40 points and 10 rebounds. His shots drew some of the loudest cheers from the fans on the bleacher. 

In the end, Team Chuck won over Tem Shaq via a 163-135 victory.  

Ricky Rubio Injury Update: Begins Light Practice with TWolves

Image: Beyondthebuzzer

Ricky Rubio’s fans are excited about the Spanish sensation’s return to court. Thus, here is some good news for fans who are awaiting that return. Ricky has already rejoined his team for practice, albeit for a limited time only. This is a good sign and right on target with the projected return to play, which was  December.

In case Rubio does manage to return by December, this will be beneficial for his team given that the Minnesota Timberwolves had been ravaged by injury as of this season. Rubio had been out of the court since March after he tore his ACL on the left knee . He had already undergone surgery and extensive therapy as part of his rehabilitation process and his light practice on the court is the biggest progress he has had so far since getting injured.

While Rubio was out, all-star Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves also had to sit out several games due to injury (broken right hand). The two, however, had joined their team’s practice despite during the instructional portions only.  They have also partaken in a few drills, too.

More good things await the TWolves with Rubio’s impending return as Kevin Love has finally suited up to play. Despite returning to a losing effort, fans of the TWolves can only expect for the better as they will eventually be in top shape soon. During his return,

With only a few weeks left to wait, fans should be excited at the prospect of Rubio returning to play. And with Brandon Roy out, it would be absolutely necessary.

TWolves Overcome Injury Woes to Deal Mavs Their Third Consecutive Loss

Image: Dallasnews.com

With both their main players power forward Kevin Love and Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio out due to their respective injuries, the TWolves relied on head coach Rick Adelman’s leadership off-court and their deep bench to get early season wins until their top dogs return to the court sometime in December. But despite of a growing injury list and a rather patched lineup, the Twolves managed to do the difficult task.

The short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the home team Dallas Mavericks on Monday wherein the final score stood at 90-82. Nikola Pekovic is the leading scorer for the TWolves after he put in 20 points, despite being pulled out late in the third quarter due to a sprained ankle. Pekovic did not return to the court, which means another man down to the Wolves team that has already been suffering from one injury to another.

Only ten players suited up for the TWolves, including the injured Pekovic. But even with a depleted lineup, Minnesota’s defense has been consistent all season long, which helped them to fend off the Mavs’ rally. The team’s defense has been so brilliant that they are among the top 5 defensive teams in the NBA so far.

As proof of the Wolves’ great defense, the Dallas Mavericks shot the lowest field goal percentage this season at a lowly 36.3 percent. Since the first 3 minutes of the game, the Mavs had been trailing the Wolves until the latter eventually went away with the win on the road.

Image: sports.yahoo.com

According to Andrei Kirilenko, forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves, this can be attributed to the team’s “character”. He said, “nobody really looks down and nobody feels sorry. Everybody just keeps coming out and trying to give their best.”

Chase Budinger is scheduled to undergo operation on his torn lateral meniscus, which he injured last Saturday after filling for an injured Brandon Roy. Speaking of Roy, the game against Dallas was the second game he missed due to a sore right knee. With Barea also missing the third game this season due to a left foot sprain, Pekovic’ recent injury further adds more chaos to the lineup that is already hampered with one injury after another.

But coach Adelman is not worried about the team’s campaign this season, noting that “hopefully [they] can get some guys back and maintain the same energy level [they] had [in this game].”

Aside from Nikola Pekovic, other players also stepped up for the TWolves. Luke Ridnour put in 15 points and added 8 assists to help his team’s cause. Meanwhile, reserve Dante Cunningham added 14 points in this game. This is only the fourth win for the TWolves in the last 23 meetings with the Mavs.

Ricky Rubio Injury Update, T-Wolves Plagued with Injury Woes

Image: USA Today

In a March game against Los Angeles Lakers, sensational Spanish rookie Ricky Rubio collided with LA guard Kobe Bryant and injured his knee in the process. Since then, he has had surgery on his knee for a torn ACL but since then Rubio hasn’t suited up to play for the Timberwolves just yet. With the start of the 2012-2013 NBA season, his fans and that of the T-Wolves are looking forward to his return and there has been some positive news about his impending return into the lineup.

According to the Twolves guard, he does not want to rush his return and wants to make sure his knees are fully recovered before he goes back to play. Rubio recently talked to reporters at Target Center, who are eager to know how far along into his injury recovery he might be in.

According to Rubio, it might be “December, but it could be January”. The Spanish baller further adds, “I don’t want to say a time because I don’t want to rush it. I want to be ready when I am ready.”

It is clear that Rubio is taking his time to ensure that his knee is fully recovered instead of being pressured into coming back into the game. But he’s got good news for fans, though, wherein he said that “[now] I start running and I feel good. In three, four weeks, I’m gonna start agility…”

Rubio’s return is much anticipated, along with his teammate Kevin Love. The US national player and power forward for the Timberwolves broke his right hand during practice. Like Rubio, reports claim that Love should be able to make his return on December. Expert insiders, though, reiterate that these injuries should not greatly affect the team with its restructured roster during the off-season wherein they acquired Andre Kirilenko and Brandon Roy.