Blake Griffin For Rookie of The Year, and Other 2009-2010 Rookie Projections

As this year’s group of rookies set out to begin their respective summer camps, it is never too early to project the rookies in regards to how they will fare next year.

 

Top Scorer: Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors

What better place for the best scorer in the draft to go than the free-shooting Warriors? In Don Nelson’s system, Curry is going to have a lot of freedom to roam around the floor and find open looks. Helping him out will be point guard Monta Ellis, whose penetration in the lane will free up Curry.

While Curry’s natural position is at the point, Nelson’s system calls for athletic guards who can do it all. His range is there and he proved this year that he can pass the ball as well as shoot. With Jamal Crawford being traded to the Hawks before the draft, Curry should be a starter from day one.

The Warriors averaged 108.6 points last year, good for second in the league, and that average could very well go up next year with Curry in the lineup. 

 

PROJECTION: 16.5 points

 

Top Rebounder: Blake Griffin, PF, Los Angeles Clippers

A no-brainer here for the first overall pick in the draft, as Griffin should have plenty of minutes to rack up the boards every night. Center Hasheem Thabeet might be a close second but he does not project to play as many minutes as Griffin this year.

For the Clippers, Griffin will have to compete with Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby for boards, but the 6′10″ power forward should have no problem ripping down missed shots.  Last year for the Sooners, Griffin averaged 14.4 rebounds per game to lead the nation.

While those numbers will obviously go down, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Griffin to average close to double-digit rebounds. He has the size, athleticism, and instincts that attract him to the basketball on every possession. 

 

PROJECTION: 8.6 rebounds

 

Top Passer: Jrue Holiday, PG, Philadelphia 76er’s

Kind of a wild-card pick here, and if Ricky Rubio is traded to the Knicks, then I would put him in this spot. However, Holiday is put on a team where he is going to pick up huge minutes and be playing around good talent.

Projected as a lottery pick in almost every mock draft, a shoulder injury scared teams away that allowed the 76ers to scoop him up. With Andre Miller leaving to free agency, the keys to the car are now given to Holiday with high expectations.

Last year, the 76ers were in the top 10 in field goal percentage so Holiday should have plenty of chances to pick up dimes. If Elton Brand can stay healthy, he will join Andre Iguodala as the two main cogs for Holiday’s success. 

Starting on a playoff team that shoots good percentages will lead to good things for Holiday. With excellent court vision and a jump shot in the works, all signs lead to Holiday handing out a lot of assists this year. 

 

PROJECTION: 5.9 assists

 

Top Teammates: Ricky Rubio and Johnny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves

This seems like an obvious choice here but there is still a chance that Rubio is traded elsewhere. The Wolves’ front office clearly believed that the two can co-exist in the same back court and if this is true, they should form a fantastic duo.

Rubio has a very raw shot that needs work, but his court vision unlike any other prospect in the draft.  His teammate Flynn is more of a scorer who looks for his shot more than he does for passing lanes.

If the two are on the court at the same time, size will be a problem, but it will be interesting to see how they work off of each other. Both have great speed, are tough as nails, and have played on the big stage.

If Flynn can improve his jump shot range just a bit more, he will become a legitimate scoring threat from outside that will, in turn, make Rubio that much better as well.

 

Top Defender: Hasheem Thabeet, C, Memphis Grizzlies

The best defender in college basketball last year will be the best rookie defender in the NBA next year as well.

One more time, the term of “altering shots” (that I first coined) is where Thabeet makes his money. While his height will not be the same in the much bigger NBA, 7′3″ is 7′3″ and Thabeet will get his fair share of blocks and boards.

He will need to gain some more weight and muscle if he wants to battle down low with the Dwight Howard’s and Shaquille O’Neal’s of the league. But for now, he remains a long, athletic big man who will succeed on the defensive end of the floor. 

 

PROJECTION: