In case you didn't notice, Enes Kanter is a fantastic rebounder. One of the best ways to measure a player's ability to rebound is by finding out their rebound percentage. Or in other words what percentage of offensive, or defensive or total rebounds does that player grab of all available rebounds while that player is on the floor? Enes "the rebounding menace" grabs 17% of available offensive rebounds, 27% of available defensive rebounds, and 22% of all available rebounds. How good is that? During his rookie year, Kevin Love grabbed 15% of offensive rebounds, 27% of defensive ones and 21% overall. Al Jefferson grabs 6%, 25%, and 15% this year. Kanter is already a top notch rebounder and is on pace to be one of the best in the league. And he's only 19 years old.
Unfortunately we live in a professional league where players don't stick around and play their whole career with one team as often as they used to. With that said, I was glad to hear and read this quote from Jim Burton's piece on Derrick Favors.
"It felt like (family) when I first got here," he said. "That's why I like the organization. It's more of a family atmosphere."
"We explained to him, 'Hey, we got you in this trade because you're one of the pieces that we wanted. Dig in, find a place to live, expect to be here,' " Kevin O'Connor said. "That's one of the things I think he needs to hear.
Listen closely, Derrick. We want you here. We want you here. Play that over in your mind 100 times if you need to.
Here's an intimate look at the rookie that the Jazz drafted out of Colorado. He looked a lot different when he made this video. Hint: Don't actually watch this video for more than a few seconds. It's lame.
Gordon Hayward has had an up and down season with his scoring and his shooting. But even when he hasn't shot the ball well, he has found ways to stay involved. In fact among shooting guards and small forwards, Hayward is 6th in the league with 6.5 assists per 48 minutes played. Hayward only trails Kobe Bryant, Delonte West, Lou Williams, Hedo Turkoglu, and Lebron James. Sharing is caring and Gordon Hayward cares. A lot.
A: This was Jeremy Evans’ one attempt in the basketball game last night. Seems appropriate. Future Slam Dunk Champion of 2012, Jeremy Evans, ladies and gentlemen. #airjeremy
[Ed. Note: Had to remove the Jeremy Evans picture of him dunking]
B: Since this is a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day edition of the downbeat, I hope none of you will be offended if I add one more beat to the today. I will forever revere Martin Luther King Jr for the great he has done, but it is important to remember that there were many people of all races that sacrificed their lives and their bodies for the advancement of equal rights. One of my other favorite civil rights activists was a man named Medgar Evers. Evers was gunned down in his driveway in front of his own family. King obviously gave his life. Today, it is important to remember these sacrifices that were made and realize where we have come as a country and a society and realize where we still have to get to. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day, everybody. Be good to each other.