Ten Rookies That Have A Chance To Shine This Season

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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 3:06pm #21255

White Chocolate
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From NBA.com:
Ten Rookies That Have A Chance To Shine This Season
10. Ed Davis, Raptors. The Raptors would’ve been looking for a tough guys even if Chris Bosh stayed. This is a team, mind you, that was softer last season than your grandmother’s touch. Asking someone like Davis, who only played a minute of college ball, to transform a team’s personality overnight is a bit much. But he can be a step in the right direction if he adopts the attitude of his father, Terry Davis, a former NBA player with Miami and Dallas who took a bouncer’s approach to basketball. His son is a decent rebounder and inside scorer and is still in development, so if not this season, perhaps the younger Davis can give the Raptors what they lack eventually.
9. Cole Aldrich, Thunder. They traded for him on Draft night because he’ll defend in the post, rebound and set screens. Ideally, he’ll become another Brad Miller. Should he get the minutes and deliver in those areas of need, Aldrich won’t have gaudy numbers but could play a role in the continued rise of the Thunder. If he’s nothing but a screen-setter, then he could be on the road to joining the scrap heap of stiffs. It’s all up to Aldrich and his work ethic, because the opportunity is there.
8. Greg Monroe, Pistons. It’s safe to say that if prehistoric Ben Wallace is hogging more minutes in the post come January than Monroe, the Pistons are in trouble. A team locked in a rebuilding process cannot afford to have over-the-hill veterans outplaying rookies, which means they didn’t Draft the right player in the first place (see Milicic, Darko). Monroe showed some flash at Georgetown but is also somewhat raw for a big man. The opportunity for minutes is there for the taking, but pity the Pistons if Wallace spends this season working up a sweat every night.
7. Evan Turner, Sixers. A few months before the Draft, there was debate about which player was more deserving of being selected first overall, Turner or John Wall. We think the Wizards made the right call. That’s not to say Turner won’t eventually have his rookie moments with the Sixers. But unlike Wall, Turner isn’t guaranteed a starting position from Day One, and he does play for a demanding coach (Doug Collins), and will play in front of Philly fans, never an easy task for a rookie. Turner may not have the better rookie year than Wall, but let’s check their development after Year Three.
6. Wesley Johnson, Timberwolves. With Al Jefferson gone, somebody has to score for the Wolves, and Johnson (along with Michael Beasley) is the most likely candidate. He brings 3-point range along with an ability to get to the rim, and has the tools to flourish in the triangle offense. Assuming the Wolves aren’t going anyplace special this season (a safe bet), they’ll give Johnson plenty of minutes (should he earn them) to work through his mistakes and show progress by spring.
5. Gordon Hayward, Jazz. With Kyle Korver gone, Utah could use outside shooting, and the situation is almost perfect for Hayward. Unless he’s a total bust, it’s hard to imagine him not pushing for starter’s minutes at some point this season. Hayward isn’t just a spot shooter, either; he can score in other ways, as he showed in summer league. And it helps to have Deron Williams around to create shots for you. Utah has a solid history in Draft decisions and this looks like another one.
4. John Wall, Wizards. When showmanship meets skills, it’s an irresistible combination, a blend that creates stars. As incoming point guards go, Wall might be the most entertaining since Jason Kidd. He has a variety of stutter-step moves and passes and could be the rare player who sells tickets just by himself. However, much like Kidd, Wall lacks a polished jumper, which was exposed during summer league when he shot a shaky 37 percent. That may hold him back when it comes time for the Rookie of the Year vote, along with the potential for errors that victimize all rookie point guards.
3. Derrick Favors, Nets. The prevailing opinion of NBA scouts is Favors didn’t tap into his potential at Georgia Tech, that he’s far better than what he showed in college. Well, without much competition at the power forward position on the Nets other than Troy Murphy, he’ll get plenty of minutes to support or destroy that theory. His transition will be helped tremendously by the presence of Brook Lopez, who’ll share some of the rebounding and inside scoring responsibility while assuming most of the interior defense load. Since the Nets aren’t built to reach the playoffs right away, Favors will be thrown to the fire right away.
2. DeMarcus Cousins, Kings. Could the Kings go two-for-two in Rookie of the Year winners? It’s quite possible, because Tyreke Evans, as a point guard, will actually help Cousins’ case for the award. The big man brings soft hands to catch passes from Evans, and the rebounding attitude the Kings need. Plus, he knows his way around the rim with the ball. If he’s on a mission to shatter all those pre-draft perceptions of him being a big baby, then Cousins will enjoy a relatively-smooth rookie season, and perhaps a smashing one as well.
1. Blake Griffin, Clippers. Remember him? He was the first overall Draft pick in 2009 and a ready-made NBA star before falling victim to the dreaded Clipper Curse, missing the entire regular season. After recovering from knee surgery, Griffin is healthy and ready to start his career. Just to be safe, the Clippers should have him escorted down the staircase and across the street. He’ll have a year of pent-up energy waiting to be released, and won’t feel the need to press right away, since the Clippers have talent. If all goes well, he’ll lead all rookies in rebounding and be among the leaders in scoring.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 3:32pm #392649

Platypus
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Please explain that Brad Miller comparison to Cole Aldrich
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 3:32pm #392670

Platypus
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Please explain that Brad Miller comparison to Cole Aldrich
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 3:43pm #392651

midwestbbscout
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dude blows….he is #1 on the bustability list….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 3:43pm #392672

midwestbbscout
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dude blows….he is #1 on the bustability list….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 3:56pm #392663

ghettosermon
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^^ I hate people like that. I don’t get the Wes Johnson hate, everyone hates him and says he will bust but never give reasons why. Yes maybe they should have taken Cousins over Johnson but Johnson is not a bad pick. He has prototype wing size, freakishly long arms, super athletic, silky smooth jump shot and mid range game, and a great rebounder. I don’t see why everyone hates him. Really his only weaknesses are ball handling and assertiveness. He also has huge potential to be a good defender who can guard multiple positions. If anything I believe he has Rudy Gay type potential. Even if he doesn’t reach allstar potential with his skill set and defending ability I don’t see why people view him as such a potential bust. I’d say some like Evan Turner is more likely to bust since Turner has trouble being effective off ball. Johnson’s skills match his position. If he isn’t at least a solid NBA player I’d be shocked.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 3:56pm #392684

ghettosermon
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^^ I hate people like that. I don’t get the Wes Johnson hate, everyone hates him and says he will bust but never give reasons why. Yes maybe they should have taken Cousins over Johnson but Johnson is not a bad pick. He has prototype wing size, freakishly long arms, super athletic, silky smooth jump shot and mid range game, and a great rebounder. I don’t see why everyone hates him. Really his only weaknesses are ball handling and assertiveness. He also has huge potential to be a good defender who can guard multiple positions. If anything I believe he has Rudy Gay type potential. Even if he doesn’t reach allstar potential with his skill set and defending ability I don’t see why people view him as such a potential bust. I’d say some like Evan Turner is more likely to bust since Turner has trouble being effective off ball. Johnson’s skills match his position. If he isn’t at least a solid NBA player I’d be shocked.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:05pm #392671

IknoBall12
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but i wanna say a few things:
Greg Monroe: im still not sold that he can be a center in the NBA. he jus isnt physical enough for me. ive heard alot of people say he has no motor and they are right. I feel like hes gonna get tossed around like a rag doll in the league.
Gordon Hayward: i do feel he can be a contributor but reading som eof your perspective on him i didnt exactly agree. i do not think he will crack the starting role on the jazz and also he isnt the knock down 3 pt threat you think he is.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:05pm #392692

IknoBall12
Participant
but i wanna say a few things:
Greg Monroe: im still not sold that he can be a center in the NBA. he jus isnt physical enough for me. ive heard alot of people say he has no motor and they are right. I feel like hes gonna get tossed around like a rag doll in the league.
Gordon Hayward: i do feel he can be a contributor but reading som eof your perspective on him i didnt exactly agree. i do not think he will crack the starting role on the jazz and also he isnt the knock down 3 pt threat you think he is.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:18pm #392708

SubZero
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Derrick Favors at 3? He can provide some rebounding and blocks purely on athleticism, but I don’t expect double digit points from him, maybe about 6-8
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:18pm #392687

SubZero
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Derrick Favors at 3? He can provide some rebounding and blocks purely on athleticism, but I don’t expect double digit points from him, maybe about 6-8
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:35pm #392724

Im Your Father
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The thing is you say he has Rudy Gay potential, but he is one year younger than Rudy Gay. People forget how old Johnson is.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:35pm #392703

Im Your Father
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The thing is you say he has Rudy Gay potential, but he is one year younger than Rudy Gay. People forget how old Johnson is.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:37pm #392705

midwestbbscout
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people always think I’m crazy for saying Wes will bust….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:37pm #392726

midwestbbscout
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people always think I’m crazy for saying Wes will bust….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:48pm #392717

ghettosermon
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What are the reasons you say he will bust? He’s got one of the better shots in this years draft class when you combine that with prototypical size, good rebounding/athleticism, and decent defending why do you think he will be so bad?
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:48pm #392738

ghettosermon
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What are the reasons you say he will bust? He’s got one of the better shots in this years draft class when you combine that with prototypical size, good rebounding/athleticism, and decent defending why do you think he will be so bad?
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:51pm #392723

midwestbbscout
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he is a god awful defender…..and his jumper is not one of the best in this year’s draft…its average at best and it doesn’t extend to NBA land…..
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:51pm #392744

midwestbbscout
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he is a god awful defender…..and his jumper is not one of the best in this year’s draft…its average at best and it doesn’t extend to NBA land…..
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:54pm #392725

WizardofOz
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Unlike most people, I don’ think Minnesota should have taken Cousins with the the 4th pick. Although arguably the most talented player available at the time of that pick, what’s the point of taking a player that you basically already had? People compare Cousins to Al Jefferson and when Minnesota had Big Al, it obviously didn’t work. Why would you take a player with the same skill set and think you will have more success? Wes Johnson was the second best player available at the time of that pick and I think that he was the right pick for Minnesota.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 4:54pm #392746

WizardofOz
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Unlike most people, I don’ think Minnesota should have taken Cousins with the the 4th pick. Although arguably the most talented player available at the time of that pick, what’s the point of taking a player that you basically already had? People compare Cousins to Al Jefferson and when Minnesota had Big Al, it obviously didn’t work. Why would you take a player with the same skill set and think you will have more success? Wes Johnson was the second best player available at the time of that pick and I think that he was the right pick for Minnesota.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:44pm #392781

midwestbbscout
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is gonna be waaaaaayyyy better than Al Jefferson ever thought about being…..they’re probably about equal now….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:44pm #392802

midwestbbscout
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is gonna be waaaaaayyyy better than Al Jefferson ever thought about being…..they’re probably about equal now….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:47pm #392783

Mr.Knick 32
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Cousins is gonna be waaaaaayyyy better than Al Jefferson ever thought about being…..they’re probably about equal now….
You high? That’s like the 3rd dumbest thing you said on this one post…
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:47pm #392804

Mr.Knick 32
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Cousins is gonna be waaaaaayyyy better than Al Jefferson ever thought about being…..they’re probably about equal now….
You high? That’s like the 3rd dumbest thing you said on this one post…
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:47pm #392789

RUDEBOY_
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lol..I knew this List was BS after seeing Wall at number 4..And comparing Cole Aldrich to Brad Miller..2 different types of players..
good to see i’m not the only person that believes Wesley will be a disappointment..Some people have tagged him a future allstar..but i dont see it..
he has too many negatives in his game..If you saw him in the 1 summer league game he played in before he got hurt….the coach had to yell at him to move around on offense..he hung out at the 3 point line waiting for the ball..showed no post game..and continued to allow his man to beat him on defense…
you could see playing in that Syracuse system made him look good..
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:47pm #392810

RUDEBOY_
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lol..I knew this List was BS after seeing Wall at number 4..And comparing Cole Aldrich to Brad Miller..2 different types of players..
good to see i’m not the only person that believes Wesley will be a disappointment..Some people have tagged him a future allstar..but i dont see it..
he has too many negatives in his game..If you saw him in the 1 summer league game he played in before he got hurt….the coach had to yell at him to move around on offense..he hung out at the 3 point line waiting for the ball..showed no post game..and continued to allow his man to beat him on defense…
you could see playing in that Syracuse system made him look good..
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:49pm #392795

Demarcus Oneal
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Cousins will be better then Jefferson but hes not better then him right now thats crazy talk Jefferson would be an all star if didnt play on the Timberwolves
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:49pm #392816

Demarcus Oneal
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Cousins will be better then Jefferson but hes not better then him right now thats crazy talk Jefferson would be an all star if didnt play on the Timberwolves
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:52pm #392797

McWinning
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Dont forget was a 24 year old who was averaging 24, and 11 before his injury.
Hes definitely better than Cousins right now.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 5:52pm #392818

McWinning
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Dont forget was a 24 year old who was averaging 24, and 11 before his injury.
Hes definitely better than Cousins right now.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 6:05pm #392817

midwestbbscout
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yeah Wes has 00000000 post game either….and he’s not an ELITE athlete….they learned jack shit from drafting Cory Brewer obviously cuz they just drafted him again…..
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 6:05pm #392838

midwestbbscout
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yeah Wes has 00000000 post game either….and he’s not an ELITE athlete….they learned jack shit from drafting Cory Brewer obviously cuz they just drafted him again…..
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 6:58pm #392837

gregoden08
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What are you talking about bro? I’m not that high on Wes either, but some of the things you say are just dumb. His jump shot is average? LOL what are you talking about? That is one of his biggest strengths. Also, he’s not a terrible defender. He’s very solid. You can’t compare him and Brewer. Brewer could never hit a jumper to save his life. What you get from Johnson is an athletic 3 who can shoot, defend and be a terror in transition. His upside isn’t as high as a lot of players, but he’s more NBA ready than say Aminu, Ebanks etc…
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 6:58pm #392858

gregoden08
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What are you talking about bro? I’m not that high on Wes either, but some of the things you say are just dumb. His jump shot is average? LOL what are you talking about? That is one of his biggest strengths. Also, he’s not a terrible defender. He’s very solid. You can’t compare him and Brewer. Brewer could never hit a jumper to save his life. What you get from Johnson is an athletic 3 who can shoot, defend and be a terror in transition. His upside isn’t as high as a lot of players, but he’s more NBA ready than say Aminu, Ebanks etc…
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 7:25pm #392843

midwestbbscout
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I compare him to Cory Brewer….see I did it….
and you will never convince me that Wes isn’t a horrible defender……he is….he will get exposed defensively every minute he is not in zone…..at least Brewer can defend….
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- Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 7:38pm #392853
  
  gregoden08
  Participant
  First off, terrible comparison. Johnson is a very good perimeter shooter, Brewer isn’t…Point blank.
  Secondly, Wes played man before he was at Syracuse so it won’t be a huge adjustment for him.
  Rudeboy, I agree. He hangs out on the perimeter too much. Honestly, he reminds me of fellow teammate and ex Blazer Martell Webster.
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- Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 7:38pm #392874
  
  gregoden08
  Participant
  First off, terrible comparison. Johnson is a very good perimeter shooter, Brewer isn’t…Point blank.
  Secondly, Wes played man before he was at Syracuse so it won’t be a huge adjustment for him.
  Rudeboy, I agree. He hangs out on the perimeter too much. Honestly, he reminds me of fellow teammate and ex Blazer Martell Webster.
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 7:25pm #392864

midwestbbscout
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I compare him to Cory Brewer….see I did it….
and you will never convince me that Wes isn’t a horrible defender……he is….he will get exposed defensively every minute he is not in zone…..at least Brewer can defend….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 7:35pm #392851

RUDEBOY_
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I know it was only a summer league game..but i hope all the wesley johnson fans watch that game…his coach was constantly yelled at him to stop hanging out on the 3 point line….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 7:35pm #392872

RUDEBOY_
Participant
I know it was only a summer league game..but i hope all the wesley johnson fans watch that game…his coach was constantly yelled at him to stop hanging out on the 3 point line….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 8:22pm #392875

midwestbbscout
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he played man before syracuse when he was thought of as hot garbage….and if you remember, Cory Brewer was drillin it when he was at Florida too….
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Posted on: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 8:22pm #392896

midwestbbscout
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he played man before syracuse when he was thought of as hot garbage….and if you remember, Cory Brewer was drillin it when he was at Florida too….
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Posted on: Fri, 09/03/2010 - 4:25am #392983

Brogan
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the biggest problem with Johnson is his poor ball handling. He won’t be able to break down NBA defenders off the dribble, making him heavily dependent on point guard play, which is not exactly Minnesota’s strength. The Martell Webster comparison is pretty solid.
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Posted on: Fri, 09/03/2010 - 4:25am #393004

Brogan
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the biggest problem with Johnson is his poor ball handling. He won’t be able to break down NBA defenders off the dribble, making him heavily dependent on point guard play, which is not exactly Minnesota’s strength. The Martell Webster comparison is pretty solid.
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