Daily NBA Fix 12-9-13: Mamba Returns, His Game Still Out
Goose Egg Award (awarded to player with most minutes and zero points)
Dec 1, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Iman Shumpert (21) advances the ball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Iman Shumpert suffered the HoopsHabit curse, it appears. After I praised him for his improved shooting and overall play, he wins the Goose Egg award for playing 31:28 without scoring a single point. My bad.
Clean and Sober Award (most minutes without taking a shot)
The technical winner of this award is Vitor Faverani, who played 7:19 without attempting a single shot, but I’d like to have an honorary winner today. Mr. Gerald Wallace played 21:22 and attempted just two free-throws.
Iron Man Award (most minutes played)
Not too much of a surprise that DeMar DeRozan wins this award today, after the Rudy Gay trade. The shorthanded Raptors ended up defeating the Lakers, with DeRozan playing 41:18. I’d expect those big minutes moving forward without Gay in the fold.