Keeping Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in your holiday thoughts

This time of year, it’s all about other people and the Kentucky Wildcat’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is worthy of your holiday thoughts and prayers.  As most of you may know, MKG played yesterday’s game with thoughts of his sick mother on his mind.  From all appearances, his mother’s condition was not serious enough to send him home immediately, but anyone that knows MKG’s personal history has to feel for the kid.  Larry Vaught filled us in on the situation:

"And he played Thursday with a heavy heart because Calipari announced on Twitter before the game that his mother was in the hospital and would be over the holidays.“We were trying to figure out whether we should send him home this morning early, and we just … the way and what she’s going through right now, it wasn’t so immediate that there was going to be things done today,” Calipari said. “It’s in th early process, and like I said, I hope that we find out it is all good.“But I would say again, the Big Blue Nation prayers are strong, and I would say everybody say a prayer for this mother and his family.”Consider that done because Kidd-Gilchrist has already become a fan favorite and UK fans know all too well that he lost his father at an early age and then his uncle passed last year on the same day he signed his scholarship with Kentucky."

Here’s wishing for all the best for Michael.

There is good news this Christmas for former Kentucky Wildcat Chuck Hayes who has been given a clean bill of health.  If we recall, Hayes signed a free agent contract with the Sacramento Kings and had it voided, due to failing a physical.  Hayes was cleared by doctors at the Cleveland Clinic after passing a series of heart tests and is now free to re-join the Kings and take them up on that offer. 

Josh Harrellson earned his Christmas present when it was announced that due to a couple of strong preseason performances, he will be a part of the Knick’s regular rotation this season.  It’s great news for Jorts who was thought to be a long shot to even make the Knick’s roster.  But apparently he has opened some eyes in the Big Apple:

"The only person I saw wearing number 55, the jersey number of unheralded second-round pick Josh Harrellson, was the hulking, awkward rookie himself. But a pair of strong preseason performances by Harrellson, who was supposed to struggle even to make the team, may have answered some questions about who’s going to be able to provide the Knicks’ fearsome front line of Tyson Chandler, Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony with some rest in this 66-game season.Harrellson’s 24 minutes in Wednesday night’s 88-82 victory over the Nets at Madison Square Garden earned plaudits from both the fans and Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, who announced afterward that Harrellson will be a part of his regular-season rotation."

Likewise, similar good news for DeAndre Liggins who has made the roster for the Orlando Magic this year.  According to some reports, he could still send time in the D-League, but the Magic really like his defense and he could also be a situational defender.   

It was surprising to see both Liggins and Daniel Orton play in the Magic’s last preseason game.  A few days ago, Stan Van Gundy said that Orton may not play this year and was not ready for game action.  In the game against the Heat, he played four minutes and drained two jumpers.  It was preseason, but good to see him on the court.

As we all know this is the Holiday season and no matter what Holiday you may celebrate, I do want to wish everyone a Happy Festivus today:

And finally, belated congratulations go out to the WBN’s own James Streble who got the best Christmas gift of all a few days early.  We would like to officially welcome Kellan James Streble to the Wildcat Blue Nation family.  Kellan was born at 6:52 AM on Wednesday and weighs a healthy 7 pounds and is 20″ long.  Congrats James.  You have off till 4PM Monday.