Bledsoe Breaks Out

If you have been watching the NBA Playoffs (and that may be a big if) then you have noticed how well the Wildcats have been representing Big Blue Nation.

Rajon Rondo has been killing it – 15 points, 13 assists, 6 rebounds and nearly 3 steals a game – leading the Celtics to what could be another Eastern Conference Championship.

Jodie Meeks has been coming off the bench for the Cinderella Sixers so far after starting a good portion of the season. Meeks has seen his playing time climb in Round 2 against Rondo’s Celtics, averaging 5.8 points a game, including 13 points in Game 3.

Enes Kanter had 8 points and 10 rebounds in a 21 point loss to the Spurs. The Spurs swept the Jazz 4-0 in the 1st Round.

Jorts appeared in 4 games for the Knicks and averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds a game, but hustled his butt off.

Kelenna Azubuike got in Game 4 for the Mavs and hit a 3 pointer in the closing minutes.

Daniel Orton went 4-4 from the free-throw line and DeAndre Liggins cheered for the Magic losing in five games to the Pacers.

Nazr Mohammed has set a few picks and grabbed a couple rebounds off the bench for the Thunder… nothing too flashy, but he might be the only one sporting a flashy championship ring this time next month the way OKC has been playing.

But, the surprising star of the playoffs so far for the Cats has been Eric Bledsoe. The second year guard for the Los Angeles Clippers was an impact player off the bench for an up and coming Clipper squad. Bledsoe battled through an early season knee energy and was buried on the depth chart behind a host of veterans for most of the season.

He averaged only 5 points in 16 minutes a game for the regular season. Despite that, the youngster used his combination of speed and power to fight for, and eventually steal playing time from the likes of veterans such as: Randy Foye, Mo Williams, Caron Butler and Nick Young.

Bledsoe averaged 8 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal a game for his playoff debut. But really shined in round 2 against the potential NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. The former Cat put up stat lines such as 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in Game 1 and 17 points 4 rebounds and 3 steals in Game 4. He also saw his minutes go up to 23 a game as well. The Clippers were swept by the Spurs, but it was Bledsoe’s effort off the bench that really sparked the Clippers and made the games “respectable”.

If you watched him play in the playoffs he looked unstoppable at times, kind of how he looked playing along side Wall at UK every once in awhile. Now, he has the unbelievable opportunity to play along Chris Paul in L.A. Look for Bledsoe to be a solid 6th man off the bench for the Clippers next season and a real difference maker. Love watching this guy play.