5 NBA Rookies with Best Chance to Make Major Impact in 2014-15
Many 2014-15 NBA rookies are athletic, talented or possess exciting potential. But few have a chance to make a major impact right out of the gate.
It's not easy to enter the Association and immediately influence your team's nightly output or improve the culture. Gifted athletes like Andrew Wiggins and Elfrid Payton may not be able to do it even if they get significant playing time.
So which youngsters will actually put a stamp on their clubs and the NBA this season?
Our exclusive group includes a couple of one-and-done studs, a seasoned college star and some poised playmakers.
These standout newcomers will heavily impact their squads in 2014-15 by stimulating them in key categories and bringing a new identity. They'll make major waves, occupying larger roles than we anticipated and taking the inside track to All-Rookie teams.
Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz SF
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Vitals: 6'8", 215 lbs, 6'8.5" wingspan
2014-15 Impact: Boosting and streamlining Utah's bench offense
Compared to most rookies, Utah Jazz small forward Rodney Hood has tremendous court awareness and a well-rounded set of skills.
If you include his transfer year (2012-13) spent practicing with Duke, he has three years of college hoops under his belt. He knows how to read defenses, work away from the ball and find creases when driving.
Did I mention he has a silky-smooth jump shot? Hood is a devastating catch-and-shoot threat who can efficiently drill mid-range and long-distance tosses.
He made 42.4 percent of his two-point jumpers (per Hoop-Math.com) at Duke, along with 42 percent from three-land. And during his small sample size at summer league and preseason, he's looked comfortable from the NBA arc.
Jazz star Gordon Hayward explained to Jody Genessy of the Deseret News that Hood is ready for a substantial role:
"[He's] a guy who can space the floor. He's shown the ability to knock down shots and he's not afraid to knock down shots. I think that's huge just to be able to come in and believe in yourself in this league and not be afraid to make plays and be a contributor on the team.
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In 2013-14, Utah was 29th in points (95.0), 25th in three-point percentage (34.4) and 26th in assists (20.3). Hood's skills and feel for the game will help the club improve each of those numbers.
Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks F
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Vitals: 6'8", 235 lbs, 6'11.5" wingspan
2014-15 Impact: Supplying a featured scorer and leading an improved offense
No rookie is better equipped to inflict major damage on opponents than Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker.
He's still finding his role in Jason Kidd's system, and he's learning some tough lessons defensively during the preseason. But he clearly has the moves and moxie to put up points and elevate his club's production.
Parker has shown plenty of bounce in his step as he gears up for the regular season, and his latest exhibition proved he's capable of scoring efficiently and keeping his comrades involved. In addition to 7-of-12 shooting, he dropped a couple of timely dimes against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He looked a bit sluggish at times during summer league, so it's good to see him darting around quicker and playing near top form in October. He won't stand out explosively against top NBA athletes, but his combination of footwork and athleticism will be enough to create opportunities.
Milwaukee has just enough developing pieces to help supplement Parker's attack, so he will feed off teammates like Giannis Antetokounmpo and generate offense throughout the year. Don't expect only 95.5 points per game from the Bucks again.
Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers PF/C
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Vitals: 6'11", 228 lbs, 7'3.75" wingspan
2014-15 Impact: Double-digit scoring, serving as the anchor of Philadelphia's upgraded defense
Considering his two-way value to the Philadelphia 76ers, Nerlens Noel has an opportunity to push the franchise in the right direction during 2014-15.
He won't massively affect the win-loss results for the Sixers, but he's going to put a major dent in opponents' offensive production. Philly won't be as much of a sieve as it was in 2013-14 (yielding 109.9 points per game), as Noel will give more bite to the squad's frontcourt stoppage.
Offensively, he is going to be more than just an energy-buckets player.
Despite a developing skill set, Noel is somewhat multidimensional. In addition to emphatic finishes and face-up drives, he can pass effectively in Brett Brown's system. He dished three assists in back-to-back exhibition outings to go along with double-digit scoring.
There's a reason Noel was such a highly coveted high school recruit, and why he's considered one of the biggest steals of the 2013 NBA draft. As the 76ers culminate the "tearing down" phase and start the actual rebuilding, he's going to make a lot of noise with his influence on both ends of the court.
Doug McDermott, Chicago Bulls SF
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Vitals: 6'8", 225 lbs, 6'9.25" wingspan
2014-15 Impact: Crucial piece to Chicago accessing its offensive ceiling
Doug McDermott has a great chance to make a major impact because his Chicago Bulls teammates will get the most out of him—and because he's that good.
It's important to realize he does more than stretch the floor as an off-ball shooting option. McDermott is a capable mid-range pull-up shooter, and he connects seamlessly with teammates as a passer.
Through the first couple of weeks of preseason action, he's delivered as a shooter, rebounder and passer. He's played extremely well when he plays alongside Chicago's top dogs, helping form a fearsome unit, according to B/R Bulls columnist Kelly Scaletta: "Based on play by plays, the Rose/Butler/McDermott/Pau/Noah lineup has played 27.5 minutes and outscored their opponents 68-29."
Derrick Rose's return is the essential ingredient to a resurgent Bulls offense, but a weapon like McDermott will help enhance it and keep it humming. Don't be surprised if the Bulls reach or eclipse the 98.6 points per game they scored during Rose's MVP campaign in 2010-11.
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics PG
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Vitals: 6'4", 220 lbs, 6'9.25" wingspan
2014-15 Impact: Fueling Boston's defensive efficiency and providing creativity outside of Rajon Rondo (boosting free-throw attempts and steals)
Rajon Rondo's hand injury moved Marcus Smart into a prominent role for the Boston Celtics entering 2014-15.
He'll likely serve as the team's primary playmaker for the first chunk of the season, and the expanded duties give him a chance to show he deserves a featured role.
Smart is much more than a skilled two-way player with a strong physique. His confidence and assertiveness far surpass nearly all of his fellow rookies, as he's comfortable in the heat of battle.
He won't require as much of a psychological adjustment to the NBA ranks. Smart's time with Team USA helped him in that regard, but it's mostly due to his innate fearlessness and self-assurance.
After Boston's recent preseason battle with the Toronto Raptors, Brad Stevens said of Smart's mindset, "His M.O. has been competitive will."
The youngster undoubtedly has flaws to address. He must establish some sort of shooting consistency and develop more mid-range creativity. It may hurt the offensive numbers early in his career.
But unlike the rest of the rookies on this list, Smart's "major" impact to the team can't be quantified. He's going to play with an edge and bring back the toughness to Boston that the franchise has lacked since it traded away Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
Dan O'Brien covers the NBA and NBA draft for Bleacher Report.
Follow him on Twitter: @DanielO_BR
