– I’m sure most of you have already seen it, but former Kentucky guard Rajon Rondo (right) is on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated. Rondo continues to be the story of the NBA Playoffs as he emerges from the shadow of “The Big Three” (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen) and becomes the catalyst of the Boston Celtics. Rondo has averaged 16.7 points, 10.5 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals during the 2010 playoffs and is on the verge of leading the Celtics to their second NBA Finals in the last three years. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: His periods of domination remind me of his days at Eastern High School when he used to dominate the Louisville high school scene. But remember, this isn’t high-school kids he’s making look foolish anymore. Some of these guys are 10-year NBA veterans
– President Barack Obama showed his affinity for former UK freshman guard John Wall again on Tuesday night’s NBA Playoffs coverage. In an interview with TNT play-by-play announcer Marv Albert, Obama basically lobbied for Washington to selected John Wall in June’s 2010 NBA Draft.
“(John) Wall is a terrific player,” Obama said. “He’s got NBA speed, NBA body, great jump shot, unselfish, really impressive. There’s only upside for that kid. And I think it’d be great for him to come to Washington. “I became very close to Abe Pollin, who was a great supporter, he and his wife. He just passed away recently, but there’s an example of a guy who constantly gave back to his community. I mean, almost single-handedly, he invested in downtown Washington at a time when it was in really bad shape, and you know, generated huge affection in this city and it was wonderful to see his widow there getting that number one pick. I only wish the best for that franchise.”
Wall responded on twitter by saying, “Thanks president Obama for the shoutout!!!”
– If there is anyone out there who could be furious at UK coach John Calipari, it’s Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar. But despite losing two of his top recruits in Enes Kanter and Terrence Jones to Calipari and the Wildcats, Jones showed a tremendous amount of respect for Calipari in an interview with 710 ESPN Seattle on Friday. Romar showed no ill will towards the UK coach in the interview and joked that he almost sounded like a Kentucky recruiter. You can read the transcript on ESPN’s college basketball blog.
