Mad Dog blogs about twitter and NBA players with twitter accounts. (Click here for Madsen’s twitter account)
There’s been a lot of talk about the new collective bargaining agreement coming up for negotiation in two years time in the NBA. When I see players like Charlie Villanueva and retired players like Jalen Rose reaching out to the fans via Twitter.com, it tells me that guys in the NBA are out there wanting to connect with fans. These players love the game of basketball and want to continue to make our league one of the most fan friendly leagues in the world. Remember Chris Bosh posting his video on Youtube campaigning for him to be sent to the All-Star game? That was a classic! As the playoff inch closer, I’m amazed by how great and passionate NBA fans are. And at the same time, you gotta love they way great players like Shaq, Steve Nash and others are out there sharing their personality and their thoughts about this game we all love.
Jefferson on Wednesday morning spoke publicly for the first time since he learned he had suffered an injury that required surgery and at least six to eight months to heal. Because the surgeon also found torn cartilage he needed to stitch up, Jefferson will be on crutches at least through next week and then will embark on a rehabilitation process he vows will be complete by opening night next season.
“I hate these,” he said, motioning to the crutches.
In one breath, he said he will not rush back from the torn ligament. “That’s one thing I promise myself I will not do,” he said.
Mayo once was the co-favorite for Rookie of the Year. He’s still tops among rookies in scoring, but how do you think last summer’s trade is going to look in five years. Yes, Kevin Love will always be undersized, but he certainly will be a more unique player than Mayo. That doesn’t mean necessarily he’ll be better (although I sure wouldn’t doubt it), but I’ll take this bet: Wherever he is then, Love’s team will be winning more games than Mayo’s. Envision him when he’s 25 and he’ll have so many skills that can help a team win.
The two years since Florida completed its rare back-to-back title runs haven’t been kind to that collection of Gators stars…
Corey Brewer, the glue guy for the Gators because of his ability to score, defend, rebound and assist, had the bad luck of getting drafted by the miserable Minnesota Timberwolves. He rarely played meaningful minutes as a rookie and 15 games into this season, he shredded the ACL in his right knee.
Tauren Green and Chris Richard, second-round picks who gave the Gators a record five draftees, are both out of the NBA and playing in basketball backwaters.
Diane Pucin/On Sports Media on Candace Parker:
“I’m proud of my child, excited about my child and I’m excited about the opportunity to have a child and be an athlete,” said Parker, 22, on Wednesday. She is home in Los Angeles now, settled in to wait for this first child for her and husband Shelden Williams, a forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves.