🏀 KuBuckets Archive

So it's 3 in the morning and I can't sleep so I mosey over to the computer and check my Facebook page. On the right hand side of the page under the "trending" box and see Tarik Black's name. I start reading about how he helped lead the Kobe-less Lakers to victory with 14 pts on 4-4 shooting from the field, 6-7 from the line, while grabbing 9 boards in 17 minutes of play, all stats coming in the second half.

To be honest with you, I didn't even know Black had found a soft landing after being let go by the Rockets. Good for him. I did read that the Lakers have until Wednesday to decide whether to keep Black and lock in his contract, or place him on waivers. Ironic that it was the waiving of injured former 'hawk Xavier Henry that the Lakers used to create the roster space for Black in the first place. Here's to hoping Black can continue to impress and stick in the league.

And while I won't run down every Jayhawk in the league, I also saw that Wiggins had an impressive outing with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 0 turnovers in a loss to the Bucks. Idk, the 5 assists in particular stood out so I thought it worth mentioning.

Black could be an excellent replacement for Randle. We probably win the Stanford game if he didn't foul out.

@icthawkfan316

I try to look at the guys output when I can. Aldrich has enjoyed a revival in NY, and TRob is playing some more significant minutes on a very good Portland team. Withey is barely sniffing the court in NO after showing signs last year he'd play more. Pierce and Gooden are teammates in Washington although Drew doesn't play much. Darrell had been contributing until several weeks ago and has had several DNP's. The twins are doing well, with Kieff in particular taking on a starring role. BMac is continually improving and shows up in the highlights spectacularly.

@wissoxfan83 I should add BRush seems to not have recovered fully from his knee troubles. He plays a few minutes for Golden State, but he might be part of a championship team too!

The Tarik Black stats last night were terrific. Somewhere I read that his performance constituted "Black Magic!"

@icthawkfan316 Cool! Im totally pulling for Wigs to get Rookie of the Year. And Im totally pulling for Tarik to stay with his new team. He's a beast. maybe not as athletic as Randle but he is a bigger and stronger dude out there. Rock chalk you guys!

@icthawkfan316

Great game for Tarik that hopefully it will earn him a permanent roster spot. Xavier did the same thing last season, had a few good games and got a contract; let's hope Tarik has a longer stay.

The Knicks are pretty banged up and Aldrich now starts and has been playing well.; he likely willl not be a starter once the team get healthy, but he can have a long career as a serviceable backup. Arthur also started last night and had a decent outing.

Wiggins is doing great and had his 6th game in a row with 20 or more points, unfortunately the Wolves continue to lose. The team has several starters out and once it is back to full force, it will get considerably better and Wiggins will benefit greatly of Rubio's passes. He is in the lead for Rookie of the Year.

Wiggins is having a great rookie year, probably best rookie campaign since Pierce.

Ben McLemore is having a significantly better sophomore year. Unfortunately, he is playing with ball-hogs (Rudy Gay and Cousins) and hence not putting up enough shots. But he is scoring efficiently and can score a lot more.

Markieff is having the best year of his career. Marcus decent in a back-up role. Funny how throughout college the roles were reversed.

Chalmers is contributing but has been inconsistent.

Any team with half a brain would keep Tarik on the roster. The guy personifies hustle and hard-work, you need as many of these guys as you can in a locker room.

TRob really needs to find a team that can utilize him properly, otherwise he'll be out of the league soon.

Cole seems to be enjoying a resurgence; hopefully he can continue. Withey will only get spot duty, as Mr. EyeBrows becomes a Star. He will need to be in the right situation to showcase his abilities.

Pierce, Hinrich, Collison, and Gooden are in the final stages of their careers.

Rush, Arthur, and Xavier's injuries have really thrown a monkey-wrench in their career, right when they appeared to take-off and cement their place in the league. Not sure how long they will last now.

dam bud, I didn't even realize X had been waived by the lakers. I'm falling behind also hadn't realized Tarik was no longer with the rockets. I did see Cole is playin more for the knicks 17 former hawks in the NBA right now and the morris twins tearing it up

@FarSideHawk

Nice summary and pretty much the way I see it too.

Interesting statistic: Wiggins is only the third teenager to have 6 straight games with 20 or more point in the NBA. Care to guess who the others are? Carmelo and LeBron...elite company.

@JayHawkFanToo

Terrific stat!!

Glad to know so many keep tabs on the guys after they leave the Phog! I usually check a couple times per week, whatever games were played that particular night that I know have former Jayhawks on the teams.

Agree about TRob needing to find a different team with more available playing time, although I don't think he's in danger of being out of the league. There was a stretch of games in Novermber and December where he didn't play at all (something like 14 games out of 17). Shortly after that streak, he earned a start due to injury, scored 15 points and pulled down 16 boards and earned a standing ovation from the Portland fans.

Nice to see Wiggins figuring it out at the next level. I also keep tabs a bit on the Cavs, just to see how that experiment is working. So far - not so well. Rumors are Love may very well bolt at season's end. Got to think the Cavs' front office has to be second guessing that trade decision. And when I say the Cavs' front office, I mean their actual front office. Not Lebron, who was undoubtedly influencing the decisions directly if not outright calling the shots. I'm sure he's simultaneously too full of himself to second guess himself all the while creating a narrative to fully deny having any input over the roster moves and placing blame solely on Dan Gilbert and the GM.

@icthawkfan316

Also, the Cavaliers coach is having a hard time adapting to the NBA; the teams is constantly telling the press that his job is not in jeopardy; however, when you have to deny rumors so often, usually there is a problem...where there is smoke, there is fire...makes you appreciate more the job Spoelstra did at Miami with all the superstars.

@JayHawkFanToo True about Spoelstra, although early in his tenure there was a lot of speculation as to whether his job might have been in jeopardy as well. Didn't help (the rumors) to have one of the all-time great coaches sitting in the front office, just a crisis away from deciding to step in to save the day.

I'm curious what the thinking is regarding Spoelstra now. No Lebron and they're 15-21 almost halfway through the season. And if Blatt never figures it out in Cleveland, you have to wonder if that organization will ever hire a coach worth a flip. As much as I'm not a huge Lebron fan, it's almost unfair when he's compared to Kobe and MJ and they had another of the all-time great coaches in Phil Jackson, and Lebron's been saddled with a bunch of stiffs.

Just watched an interview w/Tarik after the game! I don't know how to put those on here, but if anyone can, do it. That Tarik!!

@Crimsonorblue22

Ask and you shall receive...

[link text](

@JayHawkFanToo thank you!!!

What a great young man. I don't watch NBA but certainly hope all the best for Tarik who I wish had been a 4 yr JayHawk.

I noticed that most publication are now referring to Tarik as the former Jayhawk and leaving the Memphis reference out all together. I like it.

Tarik was a terrific guy. Hope he has continued success. Would have been a great 4 year guy had we snagged him out of high school.

@HighEliteMajor

Would Tarik have been a 4 year player if he started at KU?

@JayHawkFanToo I'm guessing yes, but he would have been developed much faster w/us! He obviously values an education.

@Crimsonorblue22

You don't think he would have graduated at KU in 3 years like he did at Memphis? I think he would have and left for the NBA...

@JayHawkFanToo dreaming......

Copied this from Gary Bedore tweet

@GaryBedore: LA reporter noticed Tarik Black always shakes hands with media who intview him n says "Thanx for the opportunity." Did that here,too. Class.

@JayHawkFanToo can you fix this story about Tarik from Rant Sports? Thx!

Like this? ↗

@Crimsonorblue22 How's that? Damn I'm good. brooks

@Crimsonorblue22 Nice article. Photos just below it not bad either. :blush:

Best of luck Tarik. May your success continue.

@brooksmd thanks!!