As the first full month of the NBA season comes to a close, it’s time to take a look at the impact the rookies have made thus far.
As Good As Advertised
To me, this rookie class begins with Derrick Rose. He is playing the most difficult position (point guard) of any of the Big Three (Rose, Beasley, Mayo) and he looks comfortable out there. He is second among rookies in scoring with 19.0 points per game and first in assists with 5.7.
He is every bit as good as advertised and will be a star in this league. While Rose is the best rookie in the league, O.J. Mayo is the most explosive. He leads all rookies with a 20.6 PPG scoring average. He has reached 25 or more points in five of his 14 games already. He too will be a star in this league, but I don’t expect as much team success for O.J. He is fortunate to get out of Minnesota. Memphis may be as bad, but at least it’s warm there.
Give Them Time
I am not going to label Michael Beasley a disappointment, because he’s third among rookies in scoring at 14.8 PPG and 8th in rebounding at 5.5. Dwyane Wade has been lights out early on this year, which has limited his scoring opportunities. He is playing alongside Shawn Marion and Udonis Haslem, which has a negative impact on his rebounding. I see both of those numbers improving as the season goes on.
Greg Oden is another guy that you’re going to have to wait until he starts to reach his full potential. Not only does he have to learn the pro game like the rest of the rookies, but he has to work the rust off from missing a full year of hoops. I expect him to grow into a force in the paint on both ends of the floor.
Pleasant Surprises
Marc Gasol has to be one of the more pleasant surprises from this rookie class. Second rounders generally do not make a big splash. He has done just that, averaging 12.0 PPG and 7.2 RPG, while shooting a rookie best 57.7 percent from the floor. Luc Mbah a Moute is another second rounder who is providing dividends to his team (Milwaukee) and his fantasy owners. Mbah a Moute leads all rookies in rebounding at 7.6.
Mario Chalmers is another second-Rounder that is contributing. He’s playing nearly 30 minute a night and averaging 8.3 points, 4.6 assists, and two steals. Russell Westbrook is having a solid start to his rookie season. He’s put up averages of 12.1 points and 3.7 assists per night.
Early Disappointments
It’s hard to get on a guy who’s injured, but Danilo Gallinari has scored just two points in 11 minutes. He didn’t even make a field goal. Kevin Love
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about 1 month ago
I would add Rudy Fernandez to the "as Good as Advertised" list, he is already the difference in 3 or 4 Blazer wins. I should point out that, at least in Portland, he was pretty heavily pushed as being a difference maker.
and in the "Where the smurf did that come from?" department, Nicolas Batum has been incredible. Sure, he is only averaging 5 points and 2 boards, a steal and half a block, his defense has been game changing. Night after night he spends 15 minutes matched up with the best wing player on the opposing team. While he is not yet a lock-down defender, he is the best wing defender Portland has. Those 15 minutes he is on the floor are amazing and set the tone for the game.
Because he is not a big name or overly flashy he will not get much run, but if you get a chance to see a Portland game, just watch him while he is on the floor. You will be amazed at how many tipped passes, play disruptions, etc. he is involved in.
about 1 month ago
Thanks for adding Drew.
about 1 month ago
Although not that many people know about him, JaVale McGee could be added to the "give them time" category. Here in DC, i watch almost all of our disappointing Wizard games but let me tell you that McGee is always a bright spot. His numbers are decent for a rookie, not great. 9 points per game, 5.4 boards, and 1 block. But, he is the only true center that the Wizards have right now (since Blatche and Thomas stink and are better at forward) and has been thrust into the starting role because of Brendan Haywood's injury. Nobody knew how he would handle the pressure, but he is doing fine. Give him time to develop and he could become a very good player in the NBA.
First, he is 7 feet tall with a 7 foot 2 inch wingspan. He is only 237 pounds right now, but in a few years he will bulk up and that will help him with the rebounds. He has good instincts on the court and plays good defense. Especially since he is basically on his own in the Wizards awful front court, guarding some of the best big men in the game (Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, and Kevin Garnett).
Maybe I'm just bias here since he plays for my hometown team but i think people should give him a little more recognition.
about 1 month ago
Thanks for adding Andy. I couldn't cover all of the guys so I'm glad that you and Drew dropped some inside knowledge of guys you get to watch on a nightly basis.
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