Kenneth Faried Scores 40, Wins BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Game MVP

“The Manimal” put on a show tonight in Houston and gave some fans a little preview of what to expect in tomorrow night’s dunk contest. Kenneth Faried represented the Denver Nuggets very well in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge game, leading Team Chuck to a 163-135 win over Team Shaq. Faried scored 40 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and won the games MVP award. He was on the receiving end of multiple alley-oops(primarily from Ricky Rubio) and even finished the game with a little dunk-off between himself and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters. Faried’s energy was apparent throughout the entire game, while other players stood and watched shots go up, he was the one attacking the glass and pulling down rebounds. There was even a point in the game where Charlotte Bobcats rookie forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist went up for a dunk and Faried went up as well to contest/block the attempt(something your supposed to not do in All-Star/Exhibition type games apparently). Faried’s 40 points are tied for the second most points ever scored in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge game with Russell Westbrook, who scored 40 points in the same game back in 2010(Kevin Durant holds the record, he scored 46 points back in the 2009 game). Faried not only put himself on the map with his performance but, also the Denver Nuggets as well. He showed all the casual basketball fans out there why he is one of the league’s brightest young stars today, and why he has such a bright future ahead of him here in the mile high city. Congratulations to Kenneth Faried on winning the game’s MVP award, way to represent for Denver big guy!.