Author: @Jeff_Mullaney

Rajon Rondo Saves Ball At Marc Gasol’s Expense

Posted on by @Jeff_Mullaney

The city of Louisville’s favorite son, Rajon Rondo, was part of an odd exchange the other night in the Mavs/Grizzlies game. Explaining what happened between Rondo and center Marc Gasol honestly just wouldn’t do it justice. Thus, we watch..

This is great on so many levels. One, it’s classic Rondo. Making the savvy play while kind of being an ass about it is what Rondo has done his whole career. Two, Marc Gasol ‘daps’ up Rondo after the fact.  This guy just got his rocks rocked and is seemingly unfazed. Three, it’s pretty ironic, right? Rondo saved the ball while sacrificing…something else.  Overall a pretty funny exchange in my very mature opinion.

In all seriousness though, it’s good to see Rondo returning to his old self again. He is averaging just under 10 points and 10 assists per game since being traded to Dallas, with a couple monster games mixed in.  If the team is able to keep it up (and there is no reason to think they won’t) we should at least get to see flashes of the vintage playoff Rondo that was so fun to watch during the Celtics’ Championship runs.

 

 

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Junior Bridgeman Linked to Atlanta Hawks

Posted on by @Jeff_Mullaney

A well-known Louisville name has recently been linked to the purchase of the Atlanta Hawks.  Per a number of media outlets, an investment team consisting of Junior Bridgeman, Grant Hill, and Jerry Colangelo will be making a play to acquire ownership of the franchise.

Bridgeman, who is well known in the area for his playing days at the University of Louisville and with the Milwaukee Bucks, is currently the head of Bridgeman Foods.  The company owns several chain restaurants nation-wide and is headquartered in both Louisville and Milwaukee.  Bridgeman and his company were highlighted in Fortune Magazine just this past July. He has an estimated net-worth of over $200 Million, according to Louisville Business First.

While this news may not directly impact the city of Louisville, it is promising to see a powerful individual with ties to the city showing invested interest in the NBA.

Video: Artis Gilmore Does The Undoable

Posted on by @Jeff_Mullaney

Our favorite Kentucky Colonel Legend, Artis Gilmore, didn’t care that Kareem’s sky hook was deemed unblockable, just like I don’t care that it’s not Throwback Thursday. The Colonel-Journal will salute you any day of the week, Artis. Tell Kareem that weak stuff isn’t welcome in Louisville Gardens.

NBA Expansion: Ranking The Top Draft Picks

Posted on by @Jeff_Mullaney

Because this blog is brand new, and therefore has very little following, it will likely move in several non-sensical directions. But who says non-sensical directions aren’t fun and entertaining? This is my first of many posts. While I will likely hit on a range of subjects, it is my goal to appeal to the everyday NBA fanatic, and in-turn, relate that fanaticism to the NBA movement in Louisville. Let’s do this.

An expansion is the most likely way an NBA team ends up in the fine city of Louisville, KY.  Many people debate whether or not that will happen in the near future given the new TV contracts etc, but there is one fact that is non-debatable… Expansion Drafts are awesome.

Because Expansion Drafts are awesome, I’ve ranked the top 5 Expansion Draft picks of all time. Enjoy.

5. Mugsy Bogues (1988)

After being selected 12th overall in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets, Mugsy was left unprotected and taken in the following year’s Expansion Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.  While he averaged a modest 7.7 points and 7.6 assists per game for his career, Mugsy was widely regarded as one of the most exciting guards in the league and is an all-time favorite amongst the Hornets organization.  Plus he was in Space Jam.

4. Gerald Wallace (2004)

Wallace was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 25th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. After struggling to find the court early in his career he was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2004 Expansion Draft.  Wallace was voted to the 2010 All-Star game and was selected to the All-Defensive First Team the same year. He has averaged a career 12.4 points per game.

3. Jerry Sloan (1966)

Sloan was selected in the 1966 Expansion Draft by the Chicago Bulls. While Sloan is known more for his coaching legacy, he produced two All-Star appearances and made the All-Defensive First Team four times.  His most elite statistics come in the form of coaching victories, as he is the only Head Coach to win 1,000 games with one franchise.  He is currently in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

2. Walt Bellamy (1974)

Bellamy was selected in the 1974 Expansion Draft by the New Orleans Jazz. Unfortunately for the Jazz, Bellamy was at the end of his outstanding career. He was selected with the first overall pick in the 1961 NBA Draft, and averaged 31.6 points per game in his rookie season. He ended his career with over 20,000 points and 14,000 rebounds and is currently in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

1. Pat Riley (1970)

Riley was selected in the 1970 Expansion Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.  His playing career was not particularly great, but he did win an NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972.  It is his post-playing days where Riley truly made his mark on the NBA. Since his playing career, he has accounted for 7 total NBA Championships (4 as a Head Coach, 1 as a Head Coach/President, and 2 as a President). He is arguably one of the greatest basketball minds to have been through the NBA.

Feel free to share your top expansion players in the comments!