21.   His role became even more important Friday when fellow rookie Bret Prinz was sent back to Phoenix to have his right rotator cuff examined.

22.   Interestingly, on his first pitch to Glaus, Buddie might have been sending a message from his fellow rookie pitcher, Ryan Bradley.

23.   It could have gone to fellow rookies Randy Livingston or Emmanuel Davis.

24.   Larrimore was basically handed the starting left corner spot after fellow rookie Mario Edwards was injured.

25.   Point guard Bobby Jackson was a revelation in the preseason, and fellow rookies Tony Battie and Danny Fortson showed flashes.

26.   Roger Cedeno could share left field with fellow rookie Todd Hollandsworth and Ashley.

27.   Roughly around now, Walker and his fellow rookies are supposed to hit Heartbreak Hill.

28.   The impact of having McCoy, and fellow rookie forward Vladimir Stepania, has been more noticeable than the statistics suggest.

29.   The Mavericks led by one after one quarter and quickly built their edge behind Strickland and fellow rookie Samaki Walker.

30.   The Simmons move also was encouraged after fellow rookie DeShone Myles showed he could stand in there and handle the middle.