Thursday, February 23, 2012

NBA Central: Player of the Week.

Ersan Ilyasova
Tyler Kenly introduces the Extra Point Stamp of Approval and awards it to someone you may not expect.

By Tyler Kenly

You know how during the weeks leading up to election season there is a slew of campaign ads from prospective candidates that invade our TVs? They are usually pretty bland and brutal, but the one thing I always liked about them is that they all end the same way: “I’m _______ and I approve this message.” The candidate’s stamp of approval. So classy and powerful that it makes us want to have one of our own. So, without further ado, I give you the Extra Point Stamp of Approval.

The Extra Point Stamp of Approval, or the EPSA for short, will be given out every few weeks to a team or player that has made themselves noteworthy enough for our approval. This week’s EPSA for the Central Division goes to Ersan Ilyasova of the Milwaukee Bucks. No, I didn’t just drop something on my keyboard, Ersan is his real name and he made it a point for people to learn it this past Sunday.

You might think the EPSA is a joke since the inaugural stamping is going to somebody most people have never heard of, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The stamp is the real deal and so was Ilyasova’s game on Sunday against the Nets where he coupled 29 points to go along with 25 rebounds. On the same day that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 91 points and Serge Ibaka was recording a triple double with points rebounds and blocks (11 of them), Ilyasova’s big day was rightfully overshadowed.

However, I’m giving credit where credit is due. Ilyasova came into Sunday’s action averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds before absolutely destroying the Nets. Ilyasova, who is more known for his shooting ability away from the basket, wasn’t afraid to sweat it up with the hogs down low. The most incredible part about this feat of strength: 13 of his rebounds came off the offensive glass against the likes of Brooke Lopez and Kris Humphries. Not too bad, Ersan, not too bad at all.

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