Mark Stoops is Fired Up and LeBron James sees “something special” in former Kentucky Wildcat Eric Bledsoe

Apr 12, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe (12) goes up for a basket as he is defended by New Orleans Hornets center Robin Lopez (15) during the second half at the New Orleans Arena. Los Angeles defeated New Orleans 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Bledsoe wasn’t a lottery pick in the 2010 NBA draft, nor was he as highly touted as his teammate and the #1 Overall pick that year (John Wall) but it’s been a long held belief that he might turn out to be the better pro.  His game has developed by leaps and bounds since being drafted in the First Round, with his break out season last year while coming off the bench.  He averaged 8.5 PPG, 3/1 APG, 3.0 RPG while shooting 45% overall, 38% 3PT and 78% from the line while managing “stupid athletic” blocks and dunks.  And let’s not forget his samples in the NBA Dunk Contest this past All Star Weekend.  Recently, while in Cleveland, he got in a workout with LeBron James.  James sees the potential and how special a player he is and can be.

"Suns guard Eric Bledsoe happened to be in Cleveland last weekend at the same time as LeBron James and they wound up working out together before the four-time Most Valuable Player was moved to share a complimentary tweet about Bledsoe. “Wit my lil bro @ebled12 lastnight. Phx got them something special in him #Klutch,” tweeted James, who attended Kentucky games when Bledsoe was a freshman and struck up a friendship. Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler modeled the Suns’ sleeved alternate jerseys at Thursday night’s uniform unveiling. James is not alone in his optimism for how the 23-year-old dynamo could shine with more opportunity in Phoenix. Since the Suns traded for Bledsoe and Caron Butler in early July, Bledsoe has heard a lot about what he could become. Aside from the public buzz about the Suns’ acquisition from the Clippers, Bledsoe got calls from former teammates, including Mo Williams, and Kentucky brethren John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, who came out in the same 2010 draft as Bledsoe. They were calls to congratulate him and share how good they thought the move will be for him. But all the hoopla did not mean that he was flying to any high-end basketball training facility or finding star-studded pickup games in his old NBA city. Bledsoe’s work comes in the solitude of his alma mater’s gym. Bledsoe has keys to the Parker High School gym in Birmingham, Ala. When he is not working on his leadership by bossing around his little brother at home, he said he spends part of each day working out alone at the gym. “Work,” Bledsoe said of how he has spent his time since the trade. “I’m trying to get better, even better than I did last year. Coming off the bench, I did a lot. I’m trying to increase that 10 times more. Just coming in and having a big impact in the game. “I just try to go as hard as I would in a real game. So when a real game comes, it makes it 10 times easier. I try to do intense everything. Shooting, I try to give 110 percent. Dribbling the basketball. Thinking the game. I just try to do it 110 percent so when the game comes it’s a lot easier.” Bledsoe said James’ comment was an honor that made him want to work harder."

Speaking of former Kentucky Wildcats, Antoine Walker sat down with Jay King of masslive.com for a fascinating interview.  Among the topics covered was the poor success rate of college coaches to the NBA so naturally Rick Pitino’s disastrous transition came up and what you’ll hear blew me away.  Antoine has always been known for his flamboyance and flair and now he just lets loose in a candid, yet very respectful, way.  Again, the whole interview is very fascinating but the comments re:Rick Pitino begin around the 5:55 mark.