At the start of the school year, many PC students were disappointed by the possibility of not being able to enjoy pro basketball and keeping up with their favorite teams’ performances. The 2011 NBA lockout started on July 1, 2011, as issues arose between the owners and the players regarding the structure of the salary cap and the division of revenue. As a result of the lockout, all pre-season games and the first six weeks of the 2011-12 season were canceled. On November 26, however, the players and owners of the NBA finally reached a tentative deal, including a 66-game regular season, with games starting on Christmas Day, December 25.

On Christmas Day, the NBA season tipped off with many exciting and long-awaited games. The television network TNT broadcasted the first game of the season between the long-time rival teams, the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. However, this year, a new member of the broadcasting team was introduced–Shaquille O’Neal.  O’Neal has played in the NBA himself on multiple teams for nearly twenty years and now
takes on the role as a pre-game announcer and sportscaster alongside the familiar faces of Charles Barkley, Chris Webber, and Kenny Smith.

Closer to home, the Miami Heat has had a hot start to their season with the return of the Big Three, including James, Wade, and Bosh.  They’ve also scored big with the rookie signing of Norris Cole, who has shown some promise in the first few games. Cole started his NBA career as the Heat battled against the Boston Celtics in their home opener. He racked up a total of 20 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3steals, and is definitely on his way to a very bright future.

Pine Crest alum Brandon Knight ’10 has also already had a chance to shine on national television. After an impressive freshman season with the Kentucky Wildcats, he brought his talents to the “Motor City” after
being drafted as the eighth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. Since then, Knight has worked hard, especially over the summer months,to prepare for the spotlight in the NBA. The head Pistons coach, Lawrence Frank, had some very kind words to say about the two-time National High School Gatorade Player of the Year. He commented, “Brandon has shown the ability to make plays and has an unbelievable work ethic. The guys have instantly taken to him because he’s hungry, thirsty, and not afraid. We literally have to kick him out of the gym…he’s a sponge. If he continues in this direction, he will get better quickly.” Along with an incredible coaching staff, Knight is going to greatly benefit and develop from the legendary Pistons center Ben Wallace, who led the team to an NBA championship in 2004.

Only the stat sheet can best display Knight’s performance so far. In his first three NBA games with the Pistons, Knight has averaged 11.2 points, 3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game. He had a monster first home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in which he scored 23 points off the bench in only 28 minutes of playing time. All eyes will be on Knight for the rest of the season, and let’s see where it takes him!