Tag Archives: Rookies

Rookies End Curse and Defeat Sophomores

After losing 7 straight games in the Rookie Challenge, the Rookies finally got a victory over the Sophomores.  Most felt it would be an all out massacre due to the size, strength, agility, and experience of the sophomore squad.  I however had faith in the rookies, the 09 Rookie class was no doubt a year of scorers.  MVP of the game and #1 in the rookie rankings, guard Tyreke Evans set the tone early in the game.  Evans inside game and agility is unbelievable as he finished out with 26pts, 6rebs, and 5asts.  Although Evans was voted MVP he felt the need to share the spot with Dejuan Blair; which is completely understandable after the athleticism displayed by Blair later in the game.  Blair set a record with 22pts, 23rebs, with the first 20-20 game in the Rookie Challenge.  Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder scored a staggering 40pts and almost broke the record held by his teammate Kevin Durant(this years Rookie Asst. Coach), who scored 46pts in last years Rookie Challenge.  Also on the Sophomore squad Michael Beasley scored 26pts, Anthony Morrow had 15pts, Kevin Love had 12pts 6rebs, and O.J Mayo had 8pts, 10asts.  Contributing to the Rookies along with Evans and Blair was Brandon Jennings with 22pts 8asts, James Harden with 22pts, Omri Casspi with 13pts 5rebs, and Stephen Curry with 14pts for a 140-128 victory over the sophomores