Post by Contract Year on Oct 21, 2009 9:29:14 GMT -5
Wanted to write something up real quick before I left. I've been sleeping on these upgrades. Sorry in advance for any typos, etc... Anyway, let’s just skip the intro and get right into it...
10. Terence Morris (Dallas Mavericks)
MPG: 31.2
PPG: 9.8
RPG: 8.4
BPG: 1.7
FG%: .414
FT%: .786
3PT%: .308
Morris took a hit on this list due to the anticipation that his minutes will be significantly reduced. Still, I had to give him his props. He WAS our first Rookie of the Month winner after all. The 22 year old power forward out of Maryland should prove to be very helpful addition to the Dallas Mavericks. Overall, Terence is simply too raw to start. However, he is definitely one of the best defenders the league has to offer in terms of young big men. He already projects to be one of the best shot blockers in the league should he continue to develop. On top of all of that, Morris also has very good range and is current shooting 79% from the charity stripe. It may be worth it to hang on to this kid for a few years and he could turn out to be a very good role player.
9. Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
MPG: 26.8
PPG: 11.9
RPG: 4.5
FG%: .424
FT%: .781
3PT%: .342
I was expecting Joe Johnson to do a lot more during his rookie campaign. Luckily for the Atlanta Hawks, there is still plenty of time in the season for Johnson to improve his play. He does have Sam Cassell and Steve Smith cock blocking him on the wing, so I guess his mediocre play is a bit understandable. You would hope he could shoot better than 42% from the field considering he's been regulated to a spot up shooter, but I guess it's no use putting a young guy under the microscope like that. In 27 minutes of play, Joe is averaging a very respectable 11.9 points per game, to go along with 4.5 rebounds. With a measly 2.4 assists a game so far, Johnson hasn't been as good a play maker as advertised. Then again, it would help if he got the chance to hold on to the ball soemtimes. I can definitely see Johnson becoming one of the better wing players in the league as he gains experience, but for now, he is just ok.
8. Dajuan Wagner (Atlanta Hawks)
MPG: 31.4
PPG: 11.3
RPG: 4.3
SPG: 1.1
FG%: .468
FT%: .792
3PT%: .311
Like Johnson, I expected Wagner to do much more in his rookie campaign. He has only been solid so far, but that's perfectly acceptable considering how young he is. Dajuan and Johnson are basically a wash in terms of numbers, but I gave Dajuan the nod here because he is shooting an excellent 47% from the field. The Hawks should stop flirting with the line of winning and rebuilding. However the Hawks management may want to twist it, getting Cassell back was NOT the right deal. A player with the potential of Dajuan should have the keys to the franchise right away and it is very possible that Sam "Extra Terrestrial" Cassell may stunt the kid's growth.
7. Carlos Boozer (Toronto Raptors)
MPG: 30.2
PPG: 11.5
RPG: 6.9
FG%: .442
FT%: .669
3PT%: .000
The first overall pick of the 2001 draft has been flying a bit under the radar this season. It’s difficult to tell if Boozer is simply passing up shots or if his teammates are freezing him out a little bit on offense. One thing is for sure - I thought Boozer was going to put up better numbers out the gate. 11.5 points and 6.9 rebounds from a rookie are not the type of numbers to scoff at though. I guess I'm being a little too hard on these young guys. Anyway, the potential for Boozer is sky high. It's not very often that you find a big man with a great inside game and a decent outside game to match. He can't block shots though, and will definitely need to play next to a shot blocker in order to maximize his effectiveness in the future.
6. Zach Randolph (Los Angeles Lakers)
MPG: 26.3
PPG: 11.6
RPG: 6.8
FG%: .441
FT%: .711
3PT%: .000
The fifteenth overall pick in the 2001 draft has been thriving in his situation in Los Angeles. With nearly 12 points, as well as 6.8 rebounds in just over 26 minutes, the Lakers’ Front Office is certainly happy about this new addition to their young nucleus. Although Carlos Boozer projects to be the better player in the future, Zach Randolph is pretty much a carbon copy of him at the moment. As if their numbers being nearly identical didn't hint towards that already. Randolph will never be a good defender, but if he ends up becoming the scorer and rebounder that scouts believe he will, it won't matter.
5. Tony Parker (Detroit Pistons)
MPG: 30.5
PPG: 12.7
APG: 4.9
SPG: 1.1
FG%: .452
FT%: .743
3PT%: .100
Not much to say about the Frenchman. He is making out pretty well despite his extremely poor outside game. The 2nd overall pick of the draft is averaging nearly 13 points a game on nice 45% from the field. He is also showing some decent play making ability as he is averaging nearly 5 assists a game. It's no secret that scouts drool over his game and feel like he can be a legitimate star in this league. I'm not sold on Parker just yet. One has to wonder how effective his game will be if he never develops a respectable outside game. Time will tell.
4. Earl Watson (Denver Nuggets)
MPG: 26.8
PPG: 10.2
APG: 5.0
SPG: 1.2
FG%: .433
FT%: .639
3PT%: .379
Considering the fact that he was selected 27th overall, Watson is most definitely the steal of the draft. He may not have star potential, but it’s clear that he'll at least be a very solid player for years to come. He's been performing very well as a starter for the Denver Nuggets and was recently rewarded for his play with a Rookie of the Month Award. Watson isn't the type to execute a dribble-drive offense, but he definitely has other means of getting the ball to players as he leads all rookies in assists (5 a game). Look for Watson's numbers to steadily improve as the Nuggets continue to add on to his minute total.
3. Jason Richardson (Washington Bullets)
MPG: 31.0
PPG: 15.4
RPG: 5.2
SPG: 1.0
FG%: .461
FT%: .766
3PT%: .323
It’s very possible that Earl Watson sneaks up on Richardson as the season progresses, but for now, I have to give Richardson the nod at the #3 spot. Considering his shaky outside game, I am very surprised that he has been able to contribute a cool 15.4 points a game off of 46% shooting. He draws a lot of comparisons to Vince Carter. Should he become anywhere near the player Carter is, the Bullets will be extremely dangerous for years to come.
2. Mo Williams (San Antonio Spurs)
MPG: 32.9
PPG: 18.8
APG: 4.4
SPG: 1.0
FG%: .472
FT%: .791
3PT%: .409
I'm sure the Spurs management will be upset with me for putting Mo Williams in the second slot but it is what it is. Second place is not bad by any stretch of the imagination, and if it weren't for the Spurs being absolutely horrid, Mo would definitely be first on the list. Anyway... Not only is Mo averaging nearly 19 points a game, but he is doing it with amazing efficiency. You won't find many vets that can average 19 points while shooting 47% from the field and 41% from downtown, let alone a rookie. As far as pure point guard skills go, Williams is not looking very promising. Only 4.4 assists to his 3.2 turnovers is putrid to say the least. The 18 year old obviously has a lot of time to improve on that. It’s quite apparent that Mo has the potential to grow into a serious scorer within a few years time.
1. Eddie Griffin (Milwaukee Bucks)
MPG: 31.3
PPG: 10.0
RPG: 8.5
BPG: 3.1
FG%: .411
FT%: .812
3PT%: .450
I wonder what Vin Baker thinks about the sudden turn of events. There is no way that being benched in favor of an 18 year old is sitting well with an eight year veteran, but I digress. I would hope that no one will argue with me putting Eddie Griffin as the leading Rookie of the Year candidate. I know that winning isn't emphasized as much with the young guys, but seriously... Not only is Griffin an 18 year old starter, but he's an 18 year old starter making a ridiculous impact on a good team. If it were up to me, I would give Griffin the Defensive Player of the Year award as well. The kid is ballin' right now, and to make matters worse for the rest of the league, Griffin hasn't come close to his potential offensively. Another steal of the draft.
