NBA All-Star Weekend is officially underway now that Friday night's Rookie-Sophomore game, now known as the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, is in the books. The grades are out, however, and they don't favor both of the Minnesota Timberwolves that participated in the event.
Derrick Williams and the rest of Team Chuck defeated Team Shaq, headlined by fellow Wolves rookie Ricky Rubio, but ESPN's John Hollinger wasn't kind to the dunk contest participant when handing out his grades following the exhibition game (and yes, ESPN is apparently handing out grades for an exhibition game). Williams picked up a "D" for his efforts, the lowest on his team:
Had some fun banter going with Timberwolves teammate Ricky Rubio but struggled to get much of anything done on his own. Scored only two points in 18 minutes, and it seemed like he was actually trying to get some numbers.
Thankfully Rubio picked up the Wolves curve with a solid B+ (in part thanks to this highlight).
Stats weren't great, but he provided most of the flair with his around-the-back tricks -- including a full-court aerial to Kemba Walker -- and also nutmegged DeMarcus Cousins with a dribble.
And there, readers of SB Nation Minnesota, is how one reads way too much into an exhibition game.
For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.