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| Ersan Ilyasova |
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.
