NBA Update: John Wall and Blake Griffin named ‘Rookies of the Month’ for February
John Wall of Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin have been named as the ‘Rookie of the Month’ for February in recognition to their dazzling performances during that stretch. The mercurial duo prevailed over
the group of nominees including Detroit Piston's Greg Monroe, New York Nicks' Landry Fields and Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins.
John Wall
John Wall paced the Eastern Conference rookies in scoring this February. The No.1 draft pick of the 2010-2011 season averaged 16.5 points per game in the period under consideration and also chipped in with 7.9 assists per game.
Wall was fifth in rebounding with an average of 4.9 boards per game.
He touched the 20 points mark four times, and provided 10 or more assists on five occasions. In NBA’s assists ranking Wall is at number six with 9.0 assists per game and is ready to become the first rookie who is going to match-up
Damon Stoudemire’s 9.0 assists average since 1995-96. During the Rookie Challenge Wall made a record number of assists, 22. The intriguing contest witnessed the merger of Wall’s playmaking with DeMarcus Cousins’ innovative offensive prowess. However, Wall
eventually emerged out as the MVP as the rookies thrashed the sophomores.
On February 13, Wall hit 19 points, provided 14 assists and had five rebounds to inspire a 115-100 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Against Philadelphia 76cers on February 23rd, he raged a lone battle with 21 points,
12 assists and five rebounds. Wizards lost the game 117-94 though as his team-mates failed to back him up. Wizards lost another game against Miami Heat 121-113 on February 25th. In this game, he scored 24 points, 12 assists and three rebounds. His
last handy contribution came in a 105-99 loss against the mighty Dallas Mavericks on February 26th. He made 24 points, five rebounds and five assists in that losing cause.
Blake Griffin
Griffin led all rookies in the Western Conference in terms of scoring. The slam-dunking prodigy, who is making his case for the Rookie of the Year, stronger with every passing day, averaged 23.1 points in February. He also complemented
it with 11.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game during that period.
Griffin scored 20 points on 11 occasions and hit 12 double-doubles out of 14 games. He is also leading the league with 39.2 minutes per game, more than anyone in the West. Griffin is on the verge of becoming the first rookie whose
average is better than Elton Brand’s 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Griffin is totally governing in the NBA nowadays. His fan base is growing at a remarkable pace, not only from Los Angeles, but countrywide. His All-Star dunk over the car during the Slam Dunk Competition has given him new heights
of recognition. He has already become the identity of the Clippers, and is on the verge of becoming an influential player in the NBA.
On February 2nd against Chicago Bulls, Griffin marked 32 points had 13 rebounds and provided seven assists. The Clippers however lost that game 106-88. His second notable contribution also came in a losing cause. The
sensational forward pounded 32 points, 13 rebounds and two steals in a Feb.11 showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a game which ended at 126-119.
However, he sparked the Clippers to the winning ways against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 16. Griffin scored 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists in that game. He then rounded off the month with 28 points, 11 rebounds
and eight assists performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clips though again lost the game 111-88.
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