D. Rose (CHI): 36 points (11-20 FG, 13-14 FT), 10 assists, 3 blocks vs. Raptors
Earlier this month, we did a post analyzing the top point guards in the NBA, and Derrick Rose came out in 3rd place. In that post, we rated each point guard on six statistical categories: points, assists, field goal percentage, turnovers, steals, and team winning percentage. Last night, Rose (see right) was remarkable in four of those six categories, posting a game-high 36 points and shooting 55% from the floor. He also exceeded his season average with 10 assists and, most importantly, he led the Bulls to a close win over the Raptors. The three blocks, for a point guard, are pretty impressive as well, showing that Rose played a compete game on the defensive end. Finally, Rose sealed the game by hitting a pair of free throws in the final seconds, capping off a night of 93% free throw shooting. A great all-around game for the Bulls' young PG, leading his team to victory and a stronger hold on the top spot in the East.
Honorable Mentions:
S. Choo (CLE): 0-4, 4 K's vs. White Sox
Well, this was a pretty terrible day for the Indians' right fielder, Shin-Soo Choo. Choo, a .300 hitter in each of the last three seasons, managed to earn the "golden sombrero" for his ineptitude on Saturday afternoon. Striking out four times in four at-bats made for a day that I'm sure Choo will want to forget. Not only did he fail to put the ball in play the entire game, but his individual at-bats were utterly pathetic. He needed only nine pitches to strike out the final three times (twice swinging, once looking), and his first strike out took a whopping four pitches. For those of you doing the math, that's 13 pitches and four strike outs. For a guy like Choo, who posted an average line of .300-21-88 over the past two seasons, this has gotta be one of his most disheartening games in quite awhile.
F. Sanchez (SF): 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR, 1 2B, 1 BB vs. Dodgers
The best all-around offensive performance in the MLB yesterday came from Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez, leading to his team's slaughter of the Dodgers. A former National League batting champion, Sanchez got his season off to a hot start with three hits for seven total bases, including a home run. He helped the Giants take control of the game in the fifth inning, doubling in a run and then scoring on a subsequent single to take a 4-0 lead. He also hit a 400-foot home run in the eighth inning, a good sign for Sanchez. He has never been a power-hitter before, the most glaring weakness in his game: a .299 career batting average, and 38 doubles/season--but only 45 career home runs--before last night. Though it was only one game and only one home run, Giants fans have to be excited to see their second baseman finally hitting with some pop.
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