OK, Linda. Listen. Listen. Listen. (Click here to understand the reference.)
Before you blow a gasket, read the headline. There are a couple key words in there and another one that's not included, though you may read it in there, especially if you're from the state of Arkansas. The words I want you to focus on are "may be." The one I don't want you to eisegete into the text is, well, "is."
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As Darius Lovehall said of romance in the grossly overrated '90s film "Love Jones" (don't debate me on that), this is about the possibility of a thing. Folks thought there'd never be another Julius Erving, then Michael Jordan came along. Maybe he didn't quite reach Jordan's heights, but Kobe Bryant came pretty close. Basketball is extremely generous. No one is irreplacable. There's always a ram in the bush.
Malik Monk isn't as good as Russell Westbrook, (un)arguably the most athletic point guard to ever play the game of basketball, right now. But after seeing just a glimpse of what the Kentucky signee is capable of in the first half of the Jordan Brand Classic on Friday night, during which he dropped 15 points, he might be.
He looks the part physically at a wiry but sturdy 6-3 and 185 pounds, and he possesses a similar ability to angrily attack the basket. He even flashed a decent jumper in the annual high-school all-star game.
Vine be knowing.
Check the oop action.
Don't leave him open, either.
See if you notice any similarities.
You can tell Monk, at the very least, has taken a few things from Westbrook's game, if not modeled his game after No. 0's.
You also can tell why Razorback fans were so butthurt when the Bentonville, Ark., prep star spurned the Hogs for Big Blue Nation, but they've got to get over that, because he doesn't owe them crap.
No one can guarantee superstardom. Heck, Deuce Bello was once compared to Westbook, too, and you see how that turned out. Nonetheless, it'll be fun to see how Monk develops. I'm sure Russy will take pleasure in welcoming the youngin' to the NBA should the two ever meet up as pros.