John Wall crowned NBA Rookie Challenge MVP
The 20-year-old talented Wizards point guard John Wall “J-Wall” crowned the MVP award at the NBA Rookie Challenge 2010-11. The high-spirited Wall contributed 12 points and pulled down game-high 22 assists as the dynamic Rookies knocked out the polished sophomores
148-140 at Staples Center.
Prompting MVP chants from 17,163 basketball fans at Staples Centre, Wall led the surge with his hot shooting, scoring 14 of his points during the second half, which turned the contest into a nip and tuck battle.
Wall said, “Most people that have a good game here, it gives them confidence going into the second half of the season.”
Wall’s 22 assists are the most in the 17-year history of the Rookies Contest. Till yet, the Orleans point-guard Chris Paul was at the top with 17 assists in the 2007 game.
It was probably the most thrilling event of the current season as there were 288 points scored in a 40-minute game. The rookie won the event for the second consecutive year. Anyhow, the sophomores still have an 8-4 advantage in the Rookie Challenge.
One post hundred candidates - - Wall led the Rookies Challenge Squad
With the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge right around the corner, Blake Griffin and Wesley Johnson and others were the hot favourite. However, the cool and calm Wall gets his first taste of All-Star festivities, topping the fully packed NBA Rookie Challenge squad
of 18 players.
The Kings centre DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins kept his 2010 high intensity level with 33 points and 14 rebounds for the Rookies, probably should have been at least the game's co-MVP.
Cousins said that Wall was in search of breaking the assist record while he himself was trying to become MVP. Unfortunately, DeMarcus’ dream did not come true this time as Wall took away both titles.
"We were trying to work together," Cousins said. "He wanted to break the assist record, and I wanted to be MVP."
The rookie’s coach Mike Budenholzer guided his team to follow a proper offensive path to get to the victory stand. Following upon the instructions of coach, Cousins stole the night late in the second half with his pasteurized driving dunk shot. The fans
do not call him “Boogie” for nothing.
"Coach told us to run a couple of plays, but we knew our team was going to push the ball, and I know (Cousins) can finish," Wall said.
The top scorer for the sophomores was James Harden as he posted team-high 30 points in the defeat.
The highly anticipated Blake Griffin left the game early in the first quarter as he was hit in the nose by his teammate Landry Fields, but he rejoined rookie’s squad in the second half and ended with 14 points and three rebounds.
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