Grizzlies reserve guard Scotty Pippen Jr. enjoyed one of the best nights of his career in his father’s former home arena, per The Associated Press.
In the United Center, against his Hall-of-Fame dad Scottie Pippen‘s old team, the Bulls, the younger Pippen scored a career-high 30 points on 13-of-16 shooting from the field, while chipping in 10 assists, in a 142-131 win.
“It’s a dream come true,” Pippen Jr. said. “It’s crazy to say I put up 30 and 10 in the gym where my dad had played… It means everything to me and my family. I talked to my dad tonight about coming in here and playing. He just told me to go out there and kill it, so that’s what I tried to do.”
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- Grizzlies reserve center Jay Huff almost ditched his NBA dream for Italian EuroLeague squad Olimpia Milano, per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “We talked to them,” Huff said of Olimpia Milano. “Really liked them. Still do. Their head coach is awesome. Ettore Messina, he’s the man. So we were close. Living in Milan would have been fun. And I know plenty of guys that have gone overseas that should be in the NBA right now. It’s all about fit and opportunity.” Grizzlies assistant coach Johnny Carpenter, a video coordinator at UVA when Huff was there, recommended the big man link up with Memphis. Huff signed a two-way deal and was promoted to a standard agreement soon after.
- After missing three contests with an injury, Spurs center Victor Wembanyama helped San Antonio mount a 17-point comeback and best the top-seeded Warriors, per Michael C. Wright of ESPN. The 7’4″ big man scored 25 points, dished out nine dimes, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots. “I did find my rhythm physically,” Wembanyama said. “It was a little hard to come back in terms of conditioning in the first half. There’s a switch I’m trying to flip on demand. Strong catches, quick moves, not holding the ball, but also taking my time, taking shots with confidence, good feet and good preparation for the shot.”
- Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson has defended his team’s cautious approach to guard Devin Vassell‘s recovery from a left knee bone bruise, per Tom Osborne of The San Antonio Express-News. “We said at the start of this thing we were going to be conservative with him, so he’s probably frustrated as much as anybody with us a little bit,” Johnson said. “But we have a big picture in mind here and he’s trending really, really well.”
I’ve been saying Jay Huff should be signed somewhere the last 2-3 years, so good for him for getting this opportunity
Scottie Pippen jr is someone that wouldn’t have had nearly the questions he’s had the last few years, if there were more teams in the NBA. It’s soo hard for guards to get to, or stay in the league
Yeah he’s showing he’s in the league not because of his father…
Castle is a nice player. Plays both ways and has size.
He’s my choice for ROY, then Knecht.
Pippen Jr was a late bloomer. This is why you develop players. You don’t give up on them. You find a strength. Props to Jr for working for it.
Since moving into starting lineup his numbers have been really good. I think he deserves to start rest of season, no matter who is healthy. Vassell or sochan can take champagnie place once healthy. I’d prefer sochan for his defense and energy and vassell can head up the bench unit.
That is my gripe about the NBA. They don’t develop players. The whole “one-and-done” belief is bad for the game. One year is not long enough to develop the fundamentals to play. It is just pure athleticism. The GLeague is a bit of a joke. They could turn marginal players into solid rotation guys, and be successful. They wouldn’t have the salary cap drama they always have. Just look at MLB. Some teams have as many as 6 Minor league teams. And that is not counting the Complex leagues and Fall League. They have huge attendance, as much as 500k
Castle is a real nice rookie…does not play like a rookie..the effort he puts in on both ends of the floor is very impressive. Couldn’t have asked for a better player to compliment Wemby. Rookie of the year should be a close one..