"Been dunkin' since a young'n like..."

Unless you're a big NBA fan, like myself, or someone who happened to watch SportsCenter yesterday, chances are you haven't heard of Kenneth Faried.

Well, allow me to introduce you:

Faried, the Denver Nuggets rookie forward out of Moorehead State, has been all over ESPN and ESPN.com since posting a 27-point, 17 rebound game against the Warrioirs on Monday night. It was a breakout performance from the 6"8', 228 lb, dreadlocked force of nature, who has earned himself the nickname "Man-imal".

(As fitting a s "Man-imal" is, I'm still fond of "The Predator", and with his shot-blocking abilities in the post, think it's just as fitting: see here, here, here, here, and here for evidence.)

But to anyone who's been paying attention over the last few months, Faried's breakout game should come as no surprise.

Since getting a massive boost in minutes in mid-February - from a paltry 10 mpg in the 6 games he appeared in prior to being inserted into the regular rotation, to 23.5 mpg since - Faried has been averaging 10.8 pts and 7.9 rebs per game for the Nuggets, who, if they can hold off Phoenix and Utah, could be headed for the 8-seed in a highly competitive Western Conference.

Even more impressive than that, Faried's level of play, both defensively and offensively, has steadily improved over that time frame[1]. A high energy player who has traditionally relied heavily on his freakish athleticism to overpower opponents, he's beginning to show a real understanding of the game, and is developing some nice little weapons to help him succeed in the pros, like his recently added (and nicely executed) hook-shot.

We here at The Lager Sports Division have been keeping an eye on Faried for some time now, and couldn't be more thrilled at his recent success. It started before last year's draft with his Moorehead State highlight tape (complete with an original track with one hell of a hook!!!):

We're expect big things to come from Man-imal, and will be keeping an even closer watch on him as the post-season rolls right around the corner. We think you should do the same. After all, if anyone's poised and ready to deliver some nasty post-season highlights, it's someone who's "been dunkin' since a young'n like Kenneth Farieeeeed".

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[1] Over Faried's first 10 games as a member of the regular rotation, he averaged 9.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg. Over his last 10, he's bumped those numbers to 12.0 ppg and 7.9 rpg.