Kris Humphries just missed his 14th double-double last night, scoring 8 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. His ability to hit the boards hard (and know where to position himself) is one reason the Nets have held their own this season on the boards. During the three game homestand, the Nets have outrebounded opponents, 127-105.
Hump has done so well that Mike Fratello includes his name among those who should get consideration as the league's Most Improved Player. He won't win it, but he will get votes.
Not bad for a guy who entered training camp as an afterthought, a player who the Nets would have rather opted out of his contract so they could add cap space.
Some of it has to do with the opportunity that presented itself when Troy Murphy was hit by a string of nagging injuries, but a lot more has to do with what Avery Johnson calls "simplifying" his game, doing what he does best (and what he has long worked on) rebounding in crowds. There might be another reason, too, suggests his local paper back in Minneapolis. It did a statistical analysis of the Kardashian Effect.
- Humphries is having career year, leading team in rebounding - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
- Czar’s Season Update: Most Improved Players - Mike Fratello - MikeFratello.com
-
Kardashian courtship on-court win for Humphries? - C.J. - Minneapolis Star-Tribune