Everybody pretty much is back in Memphis and we have had some heated pickup games the last few days. I expect more games along those lines as it gets closer to the start of the season. Marc Gasol has looked really good and is a very nice outlet passer. I have my bowling event coming up this weekend so I will try to get video of that to post. I'm out.

Last week I played in the Peyback Bowl in Indy and unlike last year ( I wasn't that great ) I turned in some nice scores and finished 2nd overrall behind Reggie Wayne. I actually should have won but I could get the ball to snap back on the final frame and rolled a gutter ball. I plan on keeping it going in my own Bowl-n-Bash in Memphis on Sept 27th.

On the basketball front I continue to workout and should be back in Memphis in the next couple of weeks to get ready for training camp, I'm really ready for the season to start so I can put the hardwork over the summer out on the floor.

A few days ago me, Greg and Daequan held our first basketball camp together in Cbus. It actually was a very large turnout something like 220 campers. Afterwards I workout with Daequan for a bit and hung out with some friends. We actually played a few pickup games with the current OSU players for a few days. I also got a question in my last blog about how it will feel when I play against Greg. I've played against him many times in practice/scrimmage situations it won't be any different except people will be in the stands.

Ok, It's been a while since I barked in the yard heh. But to be honest I've been pretty tired the last few days summer league took a lot out of me. It was tough on the 2nd year guys like me and Javaris because not only were we playing in the games but we continued our individual workouts throughout the week. I'm back in Cbus now so I will go back to my normal workout routine starting Monday. I'm feeling really good about my 3 point shooting right now, I shot 44% in the league thats the most important thing I wanted to do while in Vegas.

I went to the Grizzlies NBA draft party last night at the forum and had a great time signing autographs on the floor. I then watched maybe the first 15 picks of the draft and went out with my cousins to get something to eat and watched the rest of the 1st round. Before I flew down to Memphis for the draft party we had some pretty good open gyms at Ohio State, Sconnie Penn was back along with some more OSU players. Evan how'd you like that dunk? heh.

Also congrads to Coach Groce getting the OU job..

I had a basketball camp in Memphis this past week and I really enjoyed it. This was my first camp so now I feel like a vet, I'm suppose to have another one in Columbus in July so I expect that one to be even better. I've been traveling back and forth between Columbus and Memphis right now I'm back in Cbus training. I do have some free time to get in some golf with some of the OSU coaches. In my gaming rotation right now I have Guitar Hero III ( Wii ) Halo 3 ( XBox ) Call of Duty 4 ( Ps3) Games I can't wait to get my hands on... Metal Gear Solid 4 Street Fighter 4

Well right now I'm in Columbus going through some training with the Grizzlies/Ohio State strength coaches. This is really my first full off season I'm able to train since my final year of high school. The training program starts today and is supposed to last 12 weeks so that pretty much takes me through my entire summer. I'm also wondering what pick our team will get in the lottery this year and who we actually take in the draft. I will have to lay off the videogaming for a while until I get my internet hooked up here in columbus... if you see my gamer tag online it's probably not me.

Well my first season is over and it seemed to have gone by really really quick. I'm taking a break for a couple weeks before I return to Ohio State for summer school and to work out with the team. On a side note I've really enjoyed playing Call of Duty 4 on my PS3, I have it on Xbox but most of my teammates play it on PS3 so I had to step up and get it. My screen name is "moneymikejr11" get at me.

In just a little over a week I will have my rookie year completed. It had its ups and downs, but I feel good going into the off season where I can workout at Ohio State. I also will be attending summer classes there, so it's back to school for me.

We have a game in Minny today so hopefully can get a win, we came very close a few weeks ago here. I'm about to head out to the gym but check out this picture of me dunking against the Knicks...

We picked up a nice win last night over the Bobcats at the Forum. It was a much needed win. I've had quite a few people send me emails or comments asking the difference between the NBA and college or what NBA practices are like.

Well I normally get to the gym at 8:45 and do some shooting before practice. I also stay after to do some more work so I don't really get home until about 2:15-2:30.

The differences between the NBA and college is pretty big IMO, outside of the obvious size, speed stuff.. One of the big things is that the college game is more physical on the perimeter than the NBA. In college you can handcheck, bump, hold, etc. on the perimeter. Those are called everytime in the NBA, I've picked up my share of fouls trying to break the habit. Another big difference is the defensive 3 second rule, personally I love this because it opens up the lane for drives :). In college guys can just stand in the paint and try to pick up charges right under the rim. Also when you run pick and rolls the roll man is rarely open because guys are all packed in the lane, NBA game is more open.

The NBA season at least for us is coming to end, we have a little over a month left. I hope to end this season on a good note and play well down the stretch. We have a game against the Bulls tomorrow night so hopefully we can get a win on the road which hasn't happend in a while. I think overrall I've had a solid rookie year, just ready to get back and work on my game this summer. Any questions just leave a comment and I will answer over the next day or so while I'm in Chicago.

This has been a very crazy week for me mainly because I have a road game tonight against Seattle so I flew here straight from New Orleans. The food was pretty good while I was down there but it was really crowded and really tough to get around downtown. If any of you watched the Rookie/Sophomore game what did you think of the Adidas basketball shoes I wore in the 1st half with Grizzlies colors?

I had a chance to play in a celebrity pool tourney Thursday night at the Sugar Mill. It actually was pretty fun and yes I do play pool, I have a table in a house. A ton of celebs/athletes were there it was probably my favorite thing the entire weekend.

I have the Sonics tonight, we really need a win,we have beaten them everytime this year but this is our first time playing them without Pau so we will see.

Well I guess the hard work paid off for me as I was invited to play in the Rookie/Sophomore game during All-Star weekend. Rudy will be playing for the sophomores so it will be kinda fun for me to play against him and give it to him like I do in practice, heh. I wish Daequan would have made it but maybe we can play together next year.

I was shocked when I heard about the Pau trade on my way to chick-fil-a. Javaris called me asking about places stay in Memphis, I was thinking why? Anyway Its gonna be weird not having PG around, he's gonna be a beast with the Lakers though they will be title contenders.

I suffered a severe chest sprain during our game against the Wizards on Saturday, that was the most painful injury I've ever had. Right after the injury I just knew I would be out for a while but according to the trainers It should be little over a week. I've been in rehab the last few days and each day I can do more and more so the improvement is coming along pretty fast. The pain which is actually soreness in my arm,neck.,chest is pretty bad but I expect that to start going away as I continue my rehab.

I played my first NBA game on national TV on Monday and we came away with a win over the Bulls. My first national TV game and I had my first double-double of my NBA career. Tonight we are looking to win our second straight against the Magic. We actually beat them in Orlando last time but Rashard Lewis didn't play. Hopefully we can get this win to make it 2 in a row.