He made it. Every practice, shootaround, meeting and game after the first one. Isaiah Rider didn't oversleep, didn't call in sick and didn't skip a team function he was required to attend this preseason -- except for the first one, when he said there were issues to be ironed out in his contract.
The reward for finally functioning as most adults do came Thursday when the Denver Nuggets cut Cedric Ceballos, who had been Rider's primary competition for a roster spot.

Now Rider has his sights set on a starting job, which he plans to achieve by continuing on his best behavior and outplaying everyone.