The #BBN is thinking about you today, @J30_RANDLE. We know you’ll be back soon and better than ever. #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/gwmgIfAsCZ

— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) October 29, 2014

By Nick Jones, UK AthleticsWith the NBA a week into the 2014-15 season, several former Wildcats have dominated national headlines throughout the league. First, Julius Randle entered his rookie campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers in the most disturbing fashion imaginable. After logging just 14 minutes of play in the season opener against Houston Randle went down with a broken tibia in his right leg.Randle’s injury will leave him out of action for the remainder of his rookie season. But after being selected as the seventh overall pick in last June’s draft the power forward is expected to play a significant role in rebuilding the Lakers back up to a championship level franchise.Randle being carted off the court on opening night stole the attention away from what was a very strong outing from Terrence Jones, who has now solidified himself in a starting role for the Houston Rockets next to All-Star center Dwight Howard. Jones posted 16 points and 13 rebounds against the Lakers and has shown no signs of slowing down through week one. Jones has been the answer for what was a failed experiment last season in Houston when the Rockets attempted to play Howard and 7-foot center Omer Asik side-by-side in the frontcourt. This offseason Asik decided to go elsewhere and he ended up in New Orleans where he combined with All-Star forward Anthony Davis on opening night for 40 points, 34 rebounds and 14 blocks as the Pelicans defeated the Magic 101-84. Davis came into the season with sky-high expectations and after a near triple-double in game one, and a 30 and 15 outing in game two, the 6-10 star is more than living up to his No. 3 player ranking by ESPN. Another ultra-talented big man having his way in the Western Conference is fifth-year pro DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings have been mediocre at best during the first three years of his career, but after winning a gold medal this summer in the FIBA World Championships in Spain with Team USA, Cousins – now 24 years old – seems more than ready to change the culture in Sac-town.The Kings’ week one schedule was arguably the most difficult in the entire league as they faced off against three Western Conference playoff teams from a year ago, recording a 2-1 record in those games. Most recently Sacramento began a two-game road trip on Sunday with a gritty win over heated rival the Clippers at Staples Center. It was a statement game for the 6-11 center as he finished with 34 points, 17 rebounds and five assists. If Boogie can combine consistent contributions like this with his goal of just five technical fouls this whole season, it will be impossible to keep him out of the All-Star game in April. Two former Cats who are considered to be locks to represent the eastern conference in the All-Star game are point guards Rajon Rondo and John Wall.Rondo’s availability for the season opener was in question all entire offseason after suffering a hand injury, but the Celtics’ floor general has not missed a beat in his first two outings. Averaging just shy of a triple-double after the first week, Rondo is among the league leaders for point guards in several statistical categories, a feat that is not likely to change as the season advances.John Wall has posted a double-double in each of the Wizards’ first three games. That sort of production will almost certainly continue as Wall carries the load for his young team during the first several weeks of the season without backcourt running mate Bradley Beal. Washington is looking to build on last season’s playoff run and Wall will be the centerpiece for whatever success the Wizkids enjoy in 2014-15.Wall’s former Kentucky teammate Eric Bledsoe was a hot topic this offseason as experts debated whether or not he was worth the max contract he desired. In the end, Bledsoe was able to reach a five-year deal worth $70 million. Now in his fifth year in the league, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound guard has set out to shake off the injury woes that have defined his career to this point and drag his team in Phoenix to a playoff appearance in the West for the first time since 2010. Entering the 2014-15 NBA season, Kentucky has 19 ex-players on 16 different rosters. Cat Scratches will provide a unique inside look at former UK fan favorites, as well as a detailed TV schedule and updated statistics as the season moves along. Stats through games on Sunday, Nov. 2)Rajon Rondo, Boston – 8.5 PPG, 10 APG, 8.5 RPG, 2 SPGJames Young, Boston – Earned a DNP in season opener, scored six points in six minutes in game twoMichael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte – 11.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG in three startsNazr Mohammed, Chicago – DNP for the Bulls in week oneJodie Meeks, Detroit – Out 8 weeks with a back injuryTerrence Jones, Houston – 16.7 PPG, 8.7 RPGJulius Randle, LA Lakers – scored two points in 14 minutes off the bench before sustaining a season-ending leg injury on opening night Tayshaun Prince, Memphis – 4 PPG, 2 RPG in 18 minutes per gameBrandon Knight, Milwaukee – 19.7 PPG, 9 APG, 6.7 RPGAnthony Davis, New Orleans – 28.5 PPG, 16 RPG, 6 BPG, 2.5 SPGDarius Miller, New Orleans – DNP for the Pelicans in week oneNerlens Noel, Philadelphia – 7.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.3 BPG in three startsEric Bledsoe, Phoenix – 12.7 PPG, 6.7 APG, 6.3 RPGArchie Goodwin, Phoenix – 2.5 PPG, 1.5 APG in 10 minutes per gameDeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento – 23.7 PPG, 12.3 RPG Patrick Patterson, Toronto – 4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG in 21 minutes per gameChuck Hayes, Toronto – grabbed three rebounds in 12 minutes in his only appearance in week oneEnes Kanter, Utah – 8 PPG, 3.7 RPG in three games as a starterJohn Wall, Washington – 21.7 PPG, 11 APG, 4.7 RPG, 3 SPG in more than 37 minutes per gameWeek two TV scheduleThis week’s nationally televised games featuring former UK players:Tuesday: Houston (Terrence Jones) @ Miami 7:30 p.m. on NBA TVWednesday: Indiana @ Washington (John Wall) 8:00 p.m. on ESPNThursday: San Antonio @ Houston (Terrence Jones) 8:00 p.m. on TNTFriday: Memphis (Tayshaun Prince) @ Oklahoma City 8:00 p.m. on ESPNSaturday: New Orleans (Anthony Davis, Darius Miller) @ San Antonio 8:30 p.m. on NBA TVSunday: Philadelphia (Nerlens Noel) @ Toronto (Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson) 7:00 p.m. on NBA TV