...is actually on the Nets. His name is Kris Humphries and he is a 7 year veteran of the NBA who has never averaged more than 8 points or 7 rebounds a year.
He was the 14th overall pick out of the University of Minnesota but appeared to be a bust during his first 5 years in Utah. Then last year after he was traded to NJ from Dallas he quietly averaged 8.1 points and 6.5 boards. I really liked what he brought to the table - he wasn't a scoring machine but it appeared that he worked hard and was pretty good at grabbing rebounds. When the Nets were in the market for a PF I actually entertained the idea that he should be the guy for the job. However, when the Nets traded for Troy Murphy I quickly pushed that idea aside. I mean, Humphries might have been good for a 12 win team, but certainly not a team that is aspiring to win 30-35 games.
Well, it turns out that my initial feeling may have been right as Humphries has been a pleasant surprise again this year. When Murphy got hurt in the pre-season many wondered if it would be Humphries, old as dirt Joe Smith or rookie Derrick Favors that would step in. Originally they all split minutes, but as time wore on, Avery Johnson realized Humphries was the guy to help them win now and Favors would the guy for the future. Humphries started to see his minutes rise and with it came a rise in productivity.
In 26 games this year, Humphries is averaging 25 minutes, 7.8 points, 9.1 boards, 1.1 blocks and is shooting .531 from the field. However, when you look at his splits, he is averaging 7.9 points and 10.8 boards in December and 8.8 points and 11.1 boards when he starts. Obviously the Nets would like to see a little more offense out of him, but with Brook Lopez suddenly disappearing on the boards, Humphries' role is critical to the success of the team.
So the obvious question is this: Is Humphries finally ready to use the talent that he was given or is he just benefitting from the Kardashian Karma? The two have been seen together for about a month now and we all know the success the Kardashian women has had in the past. Khloe married Lamar Odom and he won his second NBA title. Kim dated Reggie Bush and he won the Super Bowl last year. Kourtney had a kid with some d-bag Scott and the world got dumber. Ok, so the trend didn't hold in the last example, but overall their is some good evidence that the Nets might be able to dig themselves out of last place is she sticks around. (I know they had a 8 game losing streak before last night's game, but hey she can't turn this mess around over night).
Anyways, even if the team doesn't get better, I will at least be loving every minute of the Humphries-Kardashian union because it will translate into non-stop shots of Kim in the stands. Thank you, Kris.
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Ok, this has nothing to do with Kris Humphries, but wanted to show this dunk by JR Smith last night.
To further prove the validity of this, you should look at 2 other cases: Hank Baskett marrying the playmate with the annoying laugh and Kyle Orton dating some girl from one of those scripted reality shows on MTV (I'm not even joking, I honestly don't know her name).
ReplyDeleteMr. Baskett has played on 3 teams since the beginning of the 2009 season (Philly, Indy, Vikings). The first time he was cut in his career (Philly in 2009) came after marrying the E! starlet.
After Jay Cutler was seen dating the aforementioned MTV person, he was concussed during a 17-3 loss to the Giants. So not only did he lose, but he was injured.
These additional data sets help prove the Kardashian affect (known forth as A(k). On-field success is not relegated to dating a reality star, nor is it the result of dating a star from the E! network. These data, taken together as A(k), factually creates a link between the Kardashians and sports success.
It will be interesting to monitor any future effects once the two younger half sisters grow up to be whores. Data collected from their relationships will help discern whether or not the success-granting genes were passed from the mother or father; my hypothesis would be the latter which means the only thing the younger two might pass along is VD.
Addendum: my frind at work is a Vikings fan and he cannot confirm that Hank Baskett is still on the team, potentially increasing the number of teams he has been cut from over the last year to 3. Had he gone after the other Kardashian sister (or brother, which is OK, too. I won't judge) he might be the next Super Bowl MVP. Guess he'll have to settle for the unemployment line instead.
ReplyDeleteJust to make sure we give all these girls their proper do, Baskett's wife is Girl Next Door star Kendra Wilkinson and Jay Cutler is dating Hills star Kristen Cavallari. I assume you are saying that Orton dated her as well.
ReplyDeleteAs for other reality-sports marriages you have Cole Hamels who married Heidi from Survivor and of course the grandfather of them all, former QB Tim Hasselbeck who married Elizabeth Filarski also of Survivor fame.
Welcome my readers to throw out a few more.