NBA debut of former Big 10 stars unimpressive at best

Unfortunately as the '09 NBA season opened the Big 10 was not represented well. Former conference frosh of the year Eric Gordon played just 14 minutes for the Clippers (that in and of itself speaks volumes) in a blowout loss to the Lakers. Gordon managed only 2 points on the night and while his role is yet to be determined, it is clear the "shoot first ask questions later" mentality he had last year at IU won't carry over anytime soon to the NBA. Meanwhile Gordon's former teammate D.J. White was forced to sit out Oklahoma City's franchise debut entirely because of injury. In fact it seems his rookie season will be in jeopardy as he is projected to be out an additional 4-6 months after surgery on his jaw. Former Buckeye and 7'0 center Kosta Koufos wasn't on the floor either for the Utah Jazz as they opened the season. Kosta's status isn't clear but he does fit the mold of a Jerry Sloan-type player. Koufos is big, skilled, fundamentally solid and has a name most legitimate journalists won't be able to spell without the aid of a press guide. In what was still another set back for the conference's national reputation Blazer's quasi-rookie Greg Oden's chin hair was longer than his time spent on the floor. Oden played just 13 minutes in his debut after leaving with what looks to be a foot injury that will sideline him for 2-3 weeks.