NBA Rooks: Diaries

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NBA Rooks: Diaries … Meyers Leonard

April 10, 2013  ·  11:39AM

By Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers

Man’s Best Friend

My girlfriend Elle, Bella and me.

My girlfriend Elle, Bella and me.

I got a dog! She’s a Siberian Husky, and I named her Bella. There is no real significance to the name Bella, just had a nice ring to it. I got her about three days ago from a breeder in Bend, Oregon. I have always wanted a Husky, and now I’m lying right next to one! So far it’s going well. She rides in the car with me and I carry her around; she’s a little princess. Soon I’ll have her trained, but she already picked up walking on a leash, which is something you take for granted. Even though she’s a lot of work, she’s worth it and it is good for me to have the responsibility of taking care of her. I did not have a dog as a kid, but I always wanted one. We never had the room, the time or the money for a dog. I had cats all my life. In the future, I’ll probably get another dog and likely there will be no more cats!

Tournament Talk

I should start by talking about my Illini. They had a good season, and I think Coach Groce did a great job in his first year with the team. People around the university and the state seem to really like him, and he brings a real energy and passion. My Illini won their first game and then had a tough match-up against Miami. They had a tough call against them in the second half and then couldn’t get over the hump. I was proud of them; most of those guys were my teammates, so it was exciting to watch them. I wish they could have kept going … they have a lot of talent.

Believe it or not, I actually had Louisville winning it all in my bracket. I picked them from the beginning because they were on a hot streak. Then the Kevin Ware injury happened, which was catastrophic, after that they were destined to win. I cannot imagine what that was like for his teammates and coaches. You can tell from the TV interviews that Kevin’s teammates really respect him, and he’s in some ways a leader of that team. They were probably motivated to win before, but once that happened, they had the mindset that they had to get it done no matter what.

When I heard about the injury, our team was just about to take off for a road game. I took out my computer to see it for myself, and as an athlete, I instantly felt bad for him. In all of sports history, there have not been many in-game injuries quite like that. All I can recall is Joe Theismann’s leg injury and Willis McGahee’s knee injury, both of which were very bad football injuries. Kevin definitely showed a lot of heart and toughness. It goes to show how much he cared about the team and the university that he wanted to be there for the Championship game no matter what. He was so selfless about the situation. They say that he will recover within a year and be able to play again. My prayers are with him.

Even though I wanted to root for Louisville, I was pulling for Michigan in the championship game because my girlfriend’s brother Max Bielfeldt plays for them. One thing that hurt Michigan was Trey Burke getting in early foul trouble and then Mitch McGary getting in foul trouble in the second half. It was a great game and both teams had a chance to win, but Louisville pulled it out.

Rookie Recap

I definitely had my ups and downs this season, and I learned a whole lot. The NBA game is so much different than the college game – faster, bigger, stronger, more offensive schemes, and you have to react faster. As a rookie big man, there is a lot to understand. Toward the end of the season, I’ve started to get more minutes and feel better on the court. I am hoping that next year I’ll have a bigger impact and an even bigger role as I continue to move forward in my NBA career.

Once the season ends for us, I’m going to stay here in Portland to work out for a bit.  I’m going to Hawaii, probably Maui, for a vacation. I’ve never been to Hawaii, so I’m excited about that! I will not be doing any surfing though, I’ve seen too many horror stories about sharks, so I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen to me! After Hawaii, I’ll go back home to Illinois to visit my friends and family. While I’m there, I’ll be working out as much as I can. If I don’t work out just about every day, I don’t feel good about myself or my career. Whether it’s weights or just getting on the court, I will be doing something every day. My offseason will conclude with me heading to Vegas for summer league and from there I will report early to Portland to get extra work in before training camp and hopefully make a push for a starting spot next year.

Thanks for your support this season! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @MeyersLeonard11.

Meyers Leonard is a 7-foot-1 center from the University of Illinois.  He was selected by the Trail Blazers with the 11th pick of the 2012 NBA Draft.

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NBA Rooks: Diaries … Tyler Zeller

April 2, 2013  ·  1:19PM




By Tyler Zeller, Cleveland Cavaliers

Uncle Tyler

Hi, everybody! I have some exciting family news … I’m an uncle! My older brother Luke and his wife had a baby boy a few weeks ago. They named him Kyston, which is a biblical reference, and it’s very cool to see Luke with a kid! He’s very proud, and every time I talk to him, he’s talking about Kyston and texting me pictures. It’s really cool – but kind of weird at the same time – because I’ve been used to being one of the younger ones in the family, and now there’s a new addition. But it’s really cool and fun to have a new little guy around!

I will get to meet Kyston back home, which is Indiana, the last week of April. First, I’m planning to go to North Carolina for about a week, and then head back home. My younger brother Cody will get to meet the baby a week before me.

I can’t wait until Kyston is old enough for us to spoil him, and it will be cool to see him develop. Actually, it will be interesting to see if he likes basketball, too. Our family definitely knows how to make sure he’s good at it! Our parents always told us to try everything and see what we like, so I think Luke will be the same way with Kyston. There will not be any pressure to play basketball unless he wants to do it.

Marching On

I didn’t do a March Madness bracket this year, partially since my brother’s team (Indiana) was in the Tournament. Obviously, I wish Cody’s team was on their way to the Final Four, but they lost to a very good Syracuse team. Their zone is tough to beat and gave Indiana a lot of problems. As for Cody, I think he played well this season. I’m his brother and a little biased, but I do think he’s under-appreciated because he really makes the team go and helps everybody else get shots.  Throughout the season, he’s had some great games and he’s struggled in some games … that is pretty much the story of a solid basketball career.

It’s a bummer that my school, UNC, is out of the running as well. In their last game, they played fairly well in the first half, and then Kansas made some very good adjustments at halftime. They tried to come back, but it was a little too late. I would have been really impressed if they were able to pull out the win. You have to give Kansas credit for that victory.

I think the upcoming Final Four is going to be very good. All of the teams have played well to get there, and I am excited to see what happens next week!

Rookie Season Wrapping Up

Right now, for me personally, I’m trying to get better every game and get more and more comfortable in the NBA setting. We are playing teams that are battling for playoff position, so we are still playing a very high level of basketball. We still want to compete and win as many games as possible. We are pro basketball players, and we enjoy winning. We are also looking ahead to next year. I think we have a chance to be a very good team, and it’s important to prepare and be as ready as possible for next year.

My rookie year has been like a roller coaster, with its highs and lows. You play well for one stretch, and then it seems like you can’t do anything right. It’s a learning experience, and it’s been a lot of fun. I learned a lot this year, which will definitely help my game next year.

DVR Update

Right now, I’m watching “Duck Dynasty,” which is an unscripted reality show on A&E. It’s basically about a family that turned duck calls into a million dollar business. I also enjoy it because they are a good Christian family, which you can tell by watching the show. For example, they end each episode with the family saying a prayer around the table. It’s actually the show’s third season, but it blew up this season! I know a ton of people watching it now. I bought the first two seasons on DVD and have been watching this season on DVR.

Oh, and I’m also reading “No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of The Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden.” I only have about 50 pages left, and I think it’s a really good book! I’ve been doing most of my reading on flights or while sitting around the hotel. It’s a nice break from watching TV.

That’s all for now … follow me on Twitter @ZellerTyler!

Tyler Zeller is a 7-foot center from the University of North Carolina. He was the 17th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

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NBA Rooks: Diaries … John Henson

March 27, 2013  ·  2:40PM

By John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks

What’s going on everyone? Heading to Philly to play the Sixers on Wednesday night.  Tough loss against Atlanta at home on Sunday, but no time to dwell on it … stay focused, only 13 more games left!

Well, my Tar Heels are out of the NCAA’s, but I’m still doing OKwith my picks with Louisville, Ohio State, and Miami still in the running.  This tournament has been crazy with the upsets. I’m happy for my home state of Florida with three remaining teams in the Sweet 16.

Since my last entry, the trade deadline came and went … losing my guys Tobias, Doron and Beno to Orlando. Tough to see them go, but best of luck to them down South! We picked up two great players in JJ and Gus from Orlando, who have been great to get to know and play beside. To build some chemistry, the team went bowling in LA and we didn’t go light on the new guys … but it was Coach Wolf who took the championship! I need to quit fishing and pick up bowling as a hobby… can’t let the coaches win next time.

Everyone keep cheering on the Bucks as we close out the year. Keep following me on twitter (@_John_Henson_) and be looking out for some Q&A sessions. Go Bucks!

John Henson, a 6-foot-11 forward from North Carolina, was the 14th player taken in the 2012 NBA Draft. Check All Ball all season long for more NBA Rooks: Diaries …

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NBA Rooks: Diaries … Jared Cunningham

March 18, 2013  ·  12:23PM

By Jared Cunningham, Dallas Mavericks

Getting Healthy & Staying Positive

Jared Cunningham (by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jared Cunningham (by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

I started the second half of the NBA season feeling refreshed. During All-Star break, I went to Los Angeles to hang out with one of my friends. It gave me a chance to relax, enjoy the sun and take my mind off of basketball for a couple days.

Right now, I’m with the Texas Legends of the D-League. Unfortunately, I’ve been out for about three or four weeks now because of tendinitis in my right knee. I’ve been taking time off to really heal, which includes spending time getting treatments at the Mavericks doctors’ offices. I’ve been going into the hyperbaric chamber a lot, which helps get oxygen into your blood flow. I’ve also been getting shock wave treatments to stimulate blood flow in my knee. I have been icing my knee a lot and doing exercises to strengthen my quads. The good news is that I just started getting back on the floor and getting up some shots.

My goal right now is to be ready to play in time for summer league. I’ve been talking to Coach Carlisle, Mavericks General Manager Donnie Nelson and some of the trainers, and they all have been very supportive. They keep telling me that they want me to get healthy and be able to play without pain. My main focus is to get healthy and then I’ll be back to my old self and be able to do what I know I can do on the court. I’m a young player with a lot of potential, but in order to maximize my potential, I have to get healthy and get stronger.

My Mavericks teammates also have been very supportive. They are always happy when I come back around; they just want me to get better. A lot of the veterans, like Vince Carter and Shawn Marion, are telling me to take it easy. It’s great to hear encouraging words from guys like that who have been around the game for so many years and know what it’s like to get injured. It gives me the confidence to come back even stronger.

Mentally, I’m holding up. It’s been great getting so much support from my coaches and teammates, and I also get a lot of advice from my parents and sister. I talk to my parents every day, and my sister stays with me in Dallas during the season. They tell me to hang in there, stay positive and that my time will come. While it’s unfortunate that this injury happened, I know that there are great things to come.

Being on my own, I’ve been learning how to cook more. I have been making myself pancakes and eggs in the morning. I actually like to go to the store and stock up on groceries. I make breakfast and then my sister makes most of the dinners. Some of her specialties include dishes like jambalaya, spaghetti, mac and cheese, candied yams, baked chicken and fish. I’ll miss that cooking when she goes back to Oakland!

College Hoops

Even though I’ve been doing a lot of resting, I am staying around basketball as much as I can. That includes watching a bunch of college basketball games on TV. I’ve been following my Oregon State Beavers as much as possible, but I think their season is pretty much over. They had a lot of unfortunate injuries, so they weren’t at full strength. I talked to some of the players, and they are pretty down about the season they had, especially because there were such high expectations for them. Even though it didn’t go as planned, they are a great group of guys who will come back stronger next year.

I’ve seen Syracuse, Louisville, and some of the Pac-12 teams like UCLA and Arizona play the last couple weeks. One player I really like is Michael Carter-Williams from Syracuse. He’s a tall, athletic guard and I really like to watch him play. Michael wears #1 on his jersey, which was my number in college. He kind of reminds me of myself out there. If I’m going to predict who wins it all, I think Baylor has a chance. Either way, it’s going to be a fun March Madness to watch this year!

Have a great week, everybody! Keep up with me on Twitter and instagram @J1Flight.

Jared Cunningham, a 6-foot-4 guard from Oregon State, was the 24th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs later traded him to the Dallas Mavericks.

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NBA Rooks: Diaries … Meyers Leonard

March 11, 2013  ·  12:11PM




By Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers

Birthday Boy

I recently turned 21. The night before my birthday, my girlfriend and I went out to a nice dinner to celebrate. The night of my birthday, we played Denver and I had a good game (13 points and 5 rebounds). After the game, I went home because I wasn’t feeling that great, so to honest with you, I didn’t really think twice about the game being on my birthday. I was just glad I played well, but mad that we lost.

Coming Into My Own

It feels really good to be playing well. Obviously, once you are playing with confidence, it all becomes a lot easier. The last few games, I’ve been finding my stride. The added confidence helps tremendously. I’ve been physically ready all season, working out hard, but now playing better has really helped me become more confident. I speak with coaches pretty often about how it’s all a process. Sometimes big men take two or three years to develop. I’m nowhere near where I want to be or where I know I can be, but I get better each and every day, and that’s all I can ask for at this stage.

My game has evolved a lot since the beginning of the season. I’m more aware of how to play strong and how to use my body, and my anticipation and court savvy have gone way up. It’s about getting game experience and just being out there on the court. It’s tough coming from college as a 20-year-old and having to learn a whole new style of play. It takes more anticipation and a better understanding of what each and every guy you guard is going to do. I think my defense has improved, knowing when to rotate and try to block shots. On offense, I’m starting to find myself in the right places more often and I’m reading the situations and plays in front of me better. It’s coming together for me, and I feel like I’m really starting to understand the NBA game.

Blazers assistant coach Kim Hughes has had a huge amount of influence on me. I work with him constantly, and he’s there for me no matter what. He always keeps me level-headed, whether I had a good or bad game, or made a good or bad play. I trust him 100 percent, on and off the court. Coach Hughes is very smart and understanding. He has been a head coach and played 10-plus years in the league, so he’s been there. We clicked right away. He’s got a little goofy side to him, but when it’s time to work, he’s ready to work. He pushes me a lot and it’s absolutely great to have him as a mentor. We’re really a perfect fit.

Playoff Run

There’s just a little bit of pressure in the back of my mind knowing that the season is winding down and we are making a push to make the playoffs. On the other hand, I take the approach that every single game is another stepping stone in the learning process. I realize that different games have different significances and meanings, but I play as I hard as I can and do my best no matter what. I’m just out there trying to be me and help my team win.

Our team mentality hasn’t really changed throughout the season. We are a hardworking and selfless team that plays well together. We’ve had some crazy wins and some bad losses, but quite frankly, overall, we’ve played pretty well. Whether we figure it all out by the end of the season or next year, I think we have a chance to be pretty good.

March Madness Around The Corner

I’m not always spot on everything going on with my Fighting Illini, but they’ve had a pretty good season. The Big 10 has been tough, but Illinois has had some signature wins, like beating Gonzaga, which is No. 1 in the country right now. They also beat Indiana when they were No. 1 and beat Minnesota on its home floor. I’m proud of my team! I hope they make a great run in the Tournament and they deserve it. They are good kids who work hard.

I still communicate with some of the guys on the team, especially Brandon Paul. He’s very talented and definitely going to get drafted. Rather than worry about that though, I have always told him to focus on his college season and everything else will fall into place.

It’s tough to predict who’s going to do what in the Tournament now because there’s really not one dominant team. Obviously, the teams that are ranked highest are the best ones. Michigan is doing pretty dang well. Indiana is pretty good — I really like the way Victor Oladipo plays. I was friends with him in college, and I’m proud of him. Duke is up there as one of the top teams. Then there’s Gonzaga. I think Miami is pretty tough, but I don’t think they can make a run at the title. Most importantly, watch out for my Illini!

That’s about it. We’re on a short road trip right now. I’m happy that I’m playing better, and I just want to continue play this way. My family is good, and I do something I love every day. Life is good!

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @MeyersLeonard11.

Meyers Leonard is a 7-foot-1 center from the University of Illinois.  He was selected by the Trail Blazers with the 11th pick of the 2012 NBA Draft.

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NBA Rooks: Diaries … Tyshawn Taylor

March 1, 2013  ·  3:12PM




By Tyshawn Taylor, Brooklyn Nets

 A Chance to Shine

It felt really good to have a big game and an opportunity to show what I could do right before All-Star. Since Deron Williams was out for two games, I had an opportunity to play. In one of the games, I played 34 minutes (the whole fourth quarter and all of overtime) and we beat the Indiana Pacers at Indiana in a real close game.

I am confident in my game and it felt good to remind myself I can play this game and I can do it in this league. My teammates and coaches got the chance to see that I could really play, especially in an environment like that, and handle it well. I felt really comfortable out there on the court, and my teammates did a great job of helping me out. I was smiling the whole game. I also got a lot of good feedback on Twitter. Of course though I realized when I watched the game tape that I could have made better plays.

 All-Star Activity

I felt good going into All-Star break because of our win against Indiana, and I wanted to enjoy the time off with my family and friends. I went to Kansas for Mario Chalmers’ jersey retirement. We both went to the University of Kansas, and even though we never played together, we have worked out a lot together and are good friends. Some of my college teammates came out for the jersey retirement too, and it was good to chill with them. We all went to the game to watch Mario get honored. When you go to Kansas, and learn about all of the tradition that comes before you, it’s cool to be at something like that, especially since Mario is one of the better point guards to come out of Kansas. Maybe they will retire my jersey one day.

NBA Season: Act II

It was right back to business after All-Star. D-Will was back playing after the break, but I’m still working hard to improve and observing really good basketball from up close. I’m also getting the inside scoop on how to be a professional in this league. Most of my teammates have been in the league for double-digit years, and I really learn from them. When you come into the NBA, you think talent is enough, but it takes a lot more than that. It’s really good for me to be around all these veterans.

Family Roots

February, Black History Month, has always been very important to me. I can remember that while we were growing up, in February, we always learned about Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks in school. Black History Month is especially important to my family because my great uncle, my Mom’s uncle, was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. I don’t know the whole story behind it, but my family always talks about it, and it’s a cool thing to have in your family. As a young African-American man, I think it’s very, very important to know our history.

 A Real Honor

A couple Saturdays ago, I was honored at the 14th Annual Richard Hicks Black Youth Empowerment Luncheon at the Boys and Girls Club in Hoboken for my work with the kids there. It was really cool, especially because it came from the people in Hoboken, where I grew up. That made me feel good because it’s important for me to show people that even though I’m in the NBA, I’m still around and do what I can to help. Like I’ve said before, when I found out I was playing in Brooklyn, I never thought of moving anywhere but Hoboken.

I really try to help out there. I did a back to school giveaway during training camp. I also go to the basketball games and hang out with the kids whenever I can. I hear the kids are running around the gym at the Boys and Girls Club saying they are Tyshawn Taylor when they shoot the ball. It’s cool to hear that, but I also want them to know that Tyshawn Taylor worked very hard.

The biggest inspiration I can give them is for them to see that I’m a real person and that I grew up in the same neighborhood as them with the same chance and opportunities. And even though there were plenty of times I had my back up against the wall, I figured out a way to make it and they can too. I tell them ‘If I can do it, you can do it.’ For me, and for a lot of people in this neighborhood, it’s a big deal to graduate from college. It’s very important for me to talk to them about that, and explain that even if I didn’t play basketball, a college degree gives you something to fall back on. I want to empower them. Even if my message sticks with just one kid, it’s worth it.

Follow me on Twitter @tyshawntaylor or in Instragram at TEE_Y.

Tyshawn Taylor, a 6-foot-3 point guard from Kansas, was the 41st player taken in the 2012 NBA Draft. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers and traded to the Nets on Draft night. You can follow him on Twitter @tyshawntaylor.

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NBA Rooks: Looking Back

January 30, 2013  ·  9:44AM

NBA.com welcomes second-year NBA guard and guest blogger Charles Jenkins to the rookie conversation.  Charles shares his rookie reflections …

By Charles Jenkins, Golden State Warriors

Charles Jenkins, by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Charles Jenkins, by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Hey, guys! Thanks for having me join in on the rookie talk. When I think back, there are a lot of differences from last year to this year. I learned as I went along, but one thing that sticks out to me that’s different from this season is my confidence level. Last year, it was very hard to stay confident. I didn’t play in the beginning, and then when Stephen Curry got injured, I did play and got more minutes. A lot of the veterans and coaches kept encouraging me to stay confident and understand that I was playing against a lot of great players and that there were nights where I wasn’t going to play well. I kept working because I knew good things would happen.

Now, I don’t feel that way at all. I know my place on the team and I know what I have to do. I don’t feel the same kind of pressure. The NBA is all about preparation and having a role, and this year, I’ve been learning how to adjust to different roles. I realize that some nights I’m not needed on the floor, but I’m always ready when my number is called. My role is to be ready and play to the best of my ability every day.

I feel so much more comfortable this year knowing that I have a place on this team. There are guys who work as hard as they possibly can and don’t even get to dress, so I feel good about my role on this team. In the beginning, I was shy in the locker room and on the court. But my teammates —  the established players like Steph, David Lee, Monta Ellis – always made me feel comfortable. But it took me a while to come out of my shell, especially on the court.

Another teammate who really helped me out was Dorell Wright. When the lockout ended in 2011, he was the first person to reach out to me and tell me to make my way to the gym. Every time I called, he always picked up his phone. I didn’t know anything. Dorell showed me the ropes and taught me everything. And he really helped me with my confidence. Being a second-year player, I’m still learning myself. When I’m a real veteran, I’ll help out the rookies, too.

This year, our team has gotten a lot closer. I’ve been around everyone my entire rookie season and this past summer, working out and playing in summer league. My teammates know what I’m capable of, and I also know what I’m going to get from my teammates. When you see how hard all the players and coaches work, we gain even more respect for each other. Our relationships have grown.

Sometimes people ask me the best piece of advice I received as a rookie. And it goes back to confidence. A lot of people, especially Coach Jackson, kept telling me that it’s a long season and to stay confident. And I’d pass on the same advice to this year’s rookies.

I also think the best thing rookies can do is stay ready … which is something I still carry with me. When you get to the NBA, every team has its star and major role players. Rookies have to find out where they can help. Every night, play as hard as you can. People notice how hard I play, and that’s gotten me the reputation of having a good work ethic. Somebody is always watching. It’s easy to get comfortable … but you dream of playing in the NBA your entire life and if you want to stay here and make it a career, you have to work at it.

And that’s what I’m doing … working at it and staying ready.

I like to interact with the fans, especially through social media. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @CTJenkins22.

Charles Jenkins is a 6-foot-3 guard from Hofstra University who was the Warriors’ 14th pick in the second round (44th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft. Check All Ball all season long for more NBA Rooks posts.

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NBA Rooks: Diaries … Khris Middleton

January 21, 2013  ·  2:30PM




By Khris Middleton, Detroit Pistons

The London Lowdown

Our team just got back from London where we played the Knicks last week. It was a great experience! I had never been to London before, so it was nice to see the city, experience the culture and do some sightseeing. It was also a good bonding experience with my teammates. We all went out together and really enjoyed each other’s company.

We left for London Monday night. We didn’t take our usual team plane; we flew out of the main Detroit airport, Detroit Metro, on a chartered plane with more than 150 people. Since it was considered a Pistons home game, we brought a bunch of staff – cheerleaders, stats people and other team employees – over to London with us. Some family members came, so I brought my sister with me.

I was exhausted when we took off, and I slept the whole way pretty much, until we landed at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday morning. Everyone was excited once we got there. When we got off the plane, there were some news cameras around. And as our team walked to get our bags, people were staring at us – a bunch of really tall guys – like we were a freak show! It was pretty funny.

We got our bags, got on the bus and headed to the hotel. We stayed at a Four Seasons, which reminded me of the hotels we stay in here. As soon as we arrived, we ate some lunch at the hotel, which did a good job of Americanizing the food. (I’m a picky eater, so I stayed away from the food I didn’t know.) I walked around a little outside and then our team had a meeting with NBA security. It was basically a meeting to give us warnings about pickpockets and to be careful where we went at night … stuff like that for our own safety reasons.

Then we took a bus to the University of East London for practice. Because they drive on the other side of the road and their signs look different, it was a little weird at first. We practiced for about an hour, a regular shooting practice. We didn’t do too much since we had just come off of a six-hour flight. It was only 4 or 5 p.m. when we got back to the hotel, so we had a good bit of time to do what we wanted. Most of us showered, ate and went straight out again.

My sister and I walked around, ate dinner, enjoyed the night. We had dinner with some teammates at a place called Gaucho, which is supposed to be one of the best steakhouses over there. I’m not a big steak guy, but I thought it was pretty good. Everybody else loved it, so I guess it was very good! We all went out to various spots after dinner and met up at some point, which was a lot of fun.

On Wednesday, we had a 10 a.m. practice at the O2 Arena, where we were playing the next day, and the same place where the Olympic basketball teams competed last summer. We did some shooting, scrimmaging, reviewed scouting reports. Then all of us had a 30-minute interview session with the London media. Our Detroit media guys were there also. After that, me and some teammates — Andre Drummond, Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe and Austin Daye — participated in an NBA Cares event with kids. There were four different stations of basketball drills set up on the court for the kids to go through. I was at the fitness station with Andre and James White from the Knicks. It was good to see the smiles on the kids’ faces; you could tell they were enjoying themselves and happy to be there. Then we went back to the hotel, and since we were all exhausted, most of us crashed and spent the rest of the day sleeping.

Then it was game day on Thursday. I got up, went to shootaround, and had some time that afternoon (before the game) to do some sightseeing. My sister and I went to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Bridge, a popular London shopping center called Harrods. I didn’t buy anything there. My favorite place was Buckingham Palace; knowing the history behind it, that was pretty cool.

The game was exciting – a sold out event! The fans were excited, and it was a great atmosphere in there! They were a little different than American NBA fans because during the game, for the most part, they were kind of quiet. When anybody scored, they got loud and crazy. It was a lot of fun, but I wish we could have gotten the win, wish we could have pulled it out. We had a slow start and when we tried to get back into it, we were a little bit too late. After the game, we had a reception with the Pistons and Knicks players and coaches, some NBA staff and fans that had special passes to get in. Then it was time to go back to the hotel, pack up and enjoy our last night in London. It was cool because players form both teams saw each other out at night.

Overall, the experience was really great and all positive — except for the loss of course! To play an NBA game in a different country and see the game of basketball growing like that, it was awesome! You can tell the fans over there love the NBA game. We got back to Detroit around 1 p.m. on Friday and I’m feeling good!

Hope you enjoyed my play-by-play of our trip to London! Have a great week! Oh, and don’t forget to check me out on Twitter @Khris22m.

Khris Middleton is a 6-foot-7 forward from Texas A&M. He was selected by the Pistons with the ninth pick of the second round in the 2012 NBA Draft.

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NBA Rooks: Diaries … Tyler Zeller

January 14, 2013  ·  11:49AM




By Tyler Zeller, Cleveland Cavaliers

Happy New Year!

It’s a little belated, but Happy New Year everybody! On New Year’s Eve, our team was home in Cleveland. It was a pretty quiet night. I hung out at home and then stopped by one of my teammate’s houses with my girlfriend. I went home before midnight, and was in bed by 12:15 a.m.!

I don’t really get caught up in New Year’s resolutions. I always have been focused and have my goals to accomplish. So even though I don’t really have a resolution, I’d say my main goal this year is to continue to get better, and become more and more comfortable with the league, my teammates and my coaches. This year is a learning process, and I want to grow as much as possible as my first step in what is hopefully a long playing career.

Court Vision

It’s amazing not having to wear my facemask anymore. I didn’t realize how much I couldn’t see until I took it off. My first game back, I could see peripherally again! And making the quick shots was a lot easier. I was always messing with the mask and usually took it off during timeouts. I tried to convince myself I was fine with it, just so I could keep it out of my mind and play my game. But I once I got rid of it, playing was much easier and my game flowed more.

Things have been going well. I am getting more and more comfortable with my teammates. I have been shooting the ball well, finding those easy baskets and finding my shot. With a point guard like Kyrie Irving, he creates opportunities for me. I have a lot of unique skills, but up until I started playing a lot, I didn’t know what I needed to work on and hone in on. Now that I know what I need to improve, I can work on those things in the gym. For one, I need to get better at finishing inside.

I’ve been part of the starting lineup lately, which is a huge adjustment. You don’t realize the difference between the starters and the second string. I went from playing a couple minutes to facing off with the starters every night. I am up against the best of the best every night, and I am trying to hold my own as much as possible. I am getting more comfortable as a starter, which alleviates some of the pressure.

Mentally, I am feeling pretty good. I have my days. I’m trying to stay focused and keep going. It can be difficult, but I think I’ve done a fairly good job. It’s just that the losing can get tough. And it’s still amazing to me how talented and quick all of the players in this league are. I am constantly trying to figure out how to guard different players. It’s a lot to think about. In the beginning of the year, my head was all over the place. But it’s getting easier.

My teammates Andy Varejao and Luke Walton have done a great job of talking to me and helping me out. Shaun Livingston joined the team a couple weeks ago, and he is somebody who is very smart with a high basketball IQ. He’s the kind of teammate who can help you improve and provide some insight.

In Other News

I participated in a lot of Cavs community outreach events during the holidays, probably about three or four. We went to a children’s home, and to a children’s and veteran’s hospital. It was fun. Anytime you are around little kids, especially during Christmas, it’s always both fun and rewarding and makes me value what I have. I like to give back to the kids and hopefully help them get in better spirits.

I am watching UNC basketball whenever I can, but they are starting to scare me a little right now. I think Coach Williams is doing a great job, but the team is young. Like Coach always says, “If you do what I say, you’ll be a great team.” He told me that all the time. It’s something we all go through and you just try to learn from it. They’re not looking too hot right now, but hopefully they can turn it around.

Last time I blogged, I said I was going to start watching “NCIS.” But I actually started watching “Prison Break.” I watched all four seasons in am month. Now I’ll go back to “NCIS.” I’m also very into movies right now. I like action and thrillers … the movies that make you think, and that you have to watch two or three times to really understand.

That’s what’s going on with me these days … Follow me on twitter (@zellertyler).

Tyler Zeller is a 7-foot center from the University of North Carolina. He was the 17th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

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NBA Rooks: Diaries … John Henson

January 11, 2013  ·  2:50PM

By John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks

What’s going on everybody? Happy New Year! 2012 was my most memorable to date and it closed out with my family coming to Milwaukee to celebrate Christmas. It was great getting everyone up here because, with the team’s schedule and my sisters being in school, we don’t get many chances to be together. I was able to show them around the city a little bit and take them to a game.

John Henson with his sisters in Milwaukee, Christmas 2012 -Courtesy Henson family

John Henson with his sisters in Milwaukee, Christmas 2012
– Courtesy of Henson family

I took one shot of my sisters and me. You may be wondering why a Tar Heel would be willing to stand next to relatives wearing clothes from that other college down the road from Chapel Hill. Well, my sister Amber (next to me) plays basketball for Duke. Just like me, NOBODY was ready for the cold weather up here. I’m either in the gym or in my apartment because I’m not stepping foot outside unless I have to (that’s the Florida in me).

Since my last post, the team has parted ways with Coach Skiles. I want to thank Coach Skiles for his faith in me and giving me an opportunity to play early in my career. He is an outstanding coach and motivator, so I know he will be back on the sidelines in the NBA soon! Best of luck to him! Coach Boylan has taken over, which I’m comfortable with since he coached our Summer League team and that was my first introduction to NBA ball. We got our first win under Coach Boylan against Phoenix and it felt good to give the team some momentum with all the shakeups on the sidelines. We had lost four in a row before that win, so it was good for Larry, Brandon, and Monta to get the team moving in a positive direction. Larry was a beast in the fourth quarter too! There are a lot of fighters on this roster, so we’ll be good down the stretch.

I’m hosting 31 winners of an Instagram contest called “Show Me Your Milwaukee” (#showmeyourmilwaukee) to the 76ers game on January 22. I asked Bucks fans to post pictures of Milwaukee (sights, Bucks games, restaurants, etc.) and I’m using 31 (my number) of them to make a collage for my twitter (@_John_Henson_) background. It’s been cool to look through the pics and see all these places that I still haven’t been to. I guess I got some work to do in the off-season! Bucks fans, you still have until January 17 to post your Instragram photo. Keep the great photos coming.

Stay tuned for another blog entry and I hope to catch y’all soon. Go Bucks!

– JHook

John Henson, a 6-foot-11 forward from North Carolina, was the 14th player taken in the 2012 NBA Draft. Check All Ball all season long for more NBA Rooks: Diaries …

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