This topic contains 8 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by 
Russell0Westbrook 16 years, 7 months ago.
- AuthorPosts
- Posted on: Tue, 11/17/2009 - 7:34am #10277
valentinePeople always spend a lot of time focusing on the rookies and arguing back and forth about which is the best, but the sophomores are just about as entertaining a subject. The Class of 2008 was widely regarded as one of the best ever last season, with outstanding performances from players like the L.A. Clippers Eric Gordon, Memphis’ O.J. Mayo, New Jersey’s Brook Lopez, Chicago’s Derrick Rose, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, and many others (no, I’m not going to name them all).
Injuries have claimed Gordon, Minnesota’s Kevin Love, and now Philadelphia’s Marreese Speights, but all were also looking to continue to improve in Year 2.
One of the best ways to gauge a player’s career, though, is to see who keeps it up in Year 2 – and to see who makes a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2. Let’s take a look at those sophomores who are making the leap, the ones who are significantly better than their rookie season. These four caught my eye:
Danilo Gallinari, New York Knicks: Gallinari’s rookie season was shortened because of a back injury and people were calling him a bust, but so far this year he’s been lighting up the scoreboard with 15.8 points a game, plus 4.3 rebounds. The forward is also shooting a phenomenal 47% from three-point range.
Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings: Thompson is fifth among all qualified sophomores in scoring at 14.9 points a game and has upped his numbers across the board. He’s also grabbing 10.1 rebounds and dishing 2.9 assists, fantastic numbers for a 6-11 forward. Thompson is a major reason why the Kings are surprising early.
Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers: Oden’s minutes have only gone up slightly this season, and his scoring increase has also been slight (8.9 to 9.7), but it’s his play on the defensive end that has been most encouraging. In only 1.9 more minutes a game he’s grabbing another 1.5 rebounds and blocking an addition 1.3 shots a game. Oden’s better feel for the game this season is a big reason why Portland’s defense is so dominant.
Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers: Hibbert’s minutes have nearly doubled in his second year, from 14.4 to 26.7 a night. Along with that his scoring average has jumped from 7.1 top 11.7 and his rebounding numbers have about tripled – from 3.5 to 9.0. Add in 2.4 blocks and 2.3 assists to 52% shooting and it’s no wonder Indiana has started out 4-3.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 11/17/2009 - 7:58am #230591
td8118ParticipantI think the class of 2008 was the best class ever….
Some other players who have stepped up their game
Westbrook- has taken on even more of a scoring role and is playing PG leading his team to WINS
Beasley- He looks more consistent and is one of the best mid-range shooters in the game
Think about this draft class….The only one you can call a bust right now is Joe Alexander(i thought he was going to be great and still may be)….Bayless hasnt gotten the PT to be called that yet
This classes greatness is in its depth
0 - Posted on: Tue, 11/17/2009 - 12:16pm #230664
thunderforthewinParticipantno way was it better than 2003, not only did that draft have the obvious lebron, dwade, carmelo but it had solid players all the way down to the last picks of the night (kyle Korver was picked 51st for example)
0 - Posted on: Tue, 11/17/2009 - 12:32pm #230670
quincey hodgeshmmm u maybe correct thunder..imma look it up now and do a lil comparing
. Cleveland — LeBron James, g-f, St. Vincent-St. Mary HS (Ohio)
2. Detroit (from Memphis) — Darko Milicic, f, Hemofarm Vrsac (Serbia)
3. Denver — Carmelo Anthony, f, Syracuse
4. Toronto — Chris Bosh, f, Georgia Tech
5. Miami — Dwyane Wade, g, Marquette
6. LA Clippers — Chris Kaman, c, Central Michigan
7. Chicago — Kirk Hinrich, g, Kansas
8. Milwaukee (from Atlanta) — T.J. Ford, g, Texas
9. New York — Mike Sweetney, f, Georgetown
10. Washington — Jarvis Hayes, f, Georgia
11. Golden State — Mickael Pietrus, g-f, Pau Orthez (France)
12. Seattle — Nick Collison, f, Kansas
13. Memphis (from Houston) — Marcus Banks, g, UNLV
14. Seattle (from Milwaukee) — Luke Ridnour, g, Oregon
15. Orlando — Reece Gaines, g, Louisville
16. Boston — Troy Bell, g, Boston College
17. Phoenix — Zarko Cabarkapa, f, Buducnost (Serbia)
18. New Orleans — David West, f, Xavier
19. Utah — Aleksandar Pavlovic, Buducnost (Serbia)
20. Boston (from Philadelphia) — Dahntay Jones, f, Duke
21. Atlanta (from Indiana) — Boris Diow, f, Pau Orthez (France)
22. New Jersey — Zoran Planinic, g, Cibona Zagreb (Croatia)
23. Portland — Travis Outlaw, f, Starkville HS (MS)
24. LA Lakers — Brian Cook, f, Illinois
25. Detroit — Carlos Delfino, f, Skipper Bologna (Italy)
26. Minnesota — Ndudi Ebi, f, Westbury Christian HS (TX)
27. Memphis (through Orlando via Sacramento) — Kendrick Perkins, c, Ozen HS (TX)
28. San Antonio — Leandro Barbosa, g, Bauru Tilibra (Brazil)
29. Dallas — Josh Howard, f, Wake Fore
Read more: http://www.insidehoops.com/draft-2003.shtml#ixzz0X9si8R2c
0 - Posted on: Tue, 11/17/2009 - 12:32pm #230671
quincey hodgesDerrick Rose, Guard, Memphis
2
Miami Heat Michael Beasley, Forward, Kansas State3
Minnesota Timberwolves O.J. Mayo, Guard, USC (To Memphis)4
Seattle Supersonics Russell Westbrook, Guard, UCLA5
Memphis Grizzlies Kevin Love, Forward, UCLA (To Minnesota)6
New York Knicks Danilo Gallinari, Forward, Italy7
Los Angeles Clippers Eric Gordon, Guard, Indiana8
Milwaukee Bucks Joe Alexander, Forward, West Virginia9
Charlotte Bobcats D.J. Augustin, Guard, Texas10
New Jersey Nets Brook Lopez, Center, Stanford11
Indiana Pacers Jerryd Bayless, Guard, Arizona12
Sacramento Kings Jason Thompson, Forward, Rider13
Portland Trail Blazers Brandon Rush, Forward, Kansas14
Golden State Warriors Anthony Randolph, Forward, LSU15
Phoenix Suns (from Atlanta) Robin Lopez, Forward, Stanford16
Philadelphia 76ers Marreese Speights, Forward, Florida17
Toronto Raptors Roy Hibbert, Center, Georgetown18
Washington Wizards JaVale McGee, Center, Nevada19
Cleveland Cavaliers J.J. Hickson, Forward, N.C. State20
Charlotte Bobcats (from Denver) Alexis Ajinca, Center, France21
New Jersey Nets (from Dallas) Ryan Anderson, Forward, California22
Orlando Magic Courtney Lee, Guard, Western Kentucky23
Utah Jazz Kosta Koufos, Center, Ohio State24
Seattle SuperSonics (from Phoenix) Serge Ibaka, Forward, Spain25
Houston Rockets Nicolas Batum, Forward, France (To Portland)26
San Antonio Spurs George Hill, Guard, IUPUI27
New Orleans Darrell Arthur, Forward, Kansas (To Memphis via Portland)28
Memphis Grizzlies (from L.A. Lakers) Donte Greene, Forward, Syracuse (To Houston)29
Detroit Pistons D.J. White, Forward, Indiana (To Seattle)30
Boston Celtics J.R. Giddens, Guard, New Mexico0 - Posted on: Tue, 11/17/2009 - 12:35pm #230672
quincey hodgesat first glance it looks pretty interesting..in 2003 after pick 11 it seems to drop hard..with three of the guys out of the nba….i think 2008 looks deeper looking t the first round
0 - Posted on: Tue, 11/17/2009 - 12:36pm #230673
MagikKnickParticipantGotta give ’08 a couple more seasons under its belt…
But theres no Lebron James-esque player in this draft…
0 - Posted on: Tue, 11/17/2009 - 12:40pm #230675
Russell0WestbrookParticipantthe only thing about 2008 is their not a player that will make that class be remembered like 84- dont need to name them, 96- to many to name, 03- the big 3 its doesnt have to be as deep when you have multiple hall of famers in a class. This class is still young tho maybe a couple of these guy will step up in a major way in a few seasons but it to early to dub 08 the best class ever
0 - Posted on: Tue, 11/17/2009 - 12:42pm #230676
Russell0WestbrookParticipant03 wasnt the best class either its out of 84 and 96
0 - AuthorPosts
| You must be logged in to reply to this topic. | Login |