You've seen my list of top rookies for the 2008-09 season.
It's still very early to determine who'll be playing with who next season, what with potential injuries and moves on the free agent market.
However, the following are my top 10 bold predictions for the 2008 NBA rookie class:
10. Kevin Love will have a rookie campaign similar to that of Al Horford's in 2007-08.
Love will be a better scorer than Horford was in his rookie campaign, and he'll come close to averaging a double-double for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kevin McHale wanted Love from the minute he declared for the draft, so he'll see enough playing time to have a shot at this.
9. While Darrell Arthur will have a solid impact as a rookie for Memphis, Marc Gasol will be the team's best big man.
He's a bit under the radar since he was drafted in 2007, but the younger Gasol brother is ready to make the transition to the NBA. He's been in Spain the last two years fine-tuning his game, and his impact should be felt as a rookie in the league.
8. Roy Hibbert will average more rebounds as a Pacer rookie than he did as a Georgetown senior.
Hibbert had just five games of 10+ rebounds as a senior for the Hoyas, and I expect him to get enough playing time as a rookie to surpass that. He averaged 6.4 boards as a college senior, so this prediction could be a stretch. But, it is possible.
7. Sean Singletary will make the Kings' roster, and will make at least one start as a rookie.
One start doesn't seem like much of a prediction—but for a guy that most didn't expect to get drafted, it's a solid guess. Sacramento is thin at point guard—to say the least—and the team's starter from a year ago may be on his way to a new team via free agency.
6. The Charlotte Bobcats had two top-twenty picks in the draft, but Kyle Weaver, the 38th pick, will be the most productive rookie.
DJ Augustin definitely has first-round talent, but ninth overall seems a bit high. Raymond Felton could end up in a new city, allowing time for Augustin to play, but I still think Weaver will be more productive right away. Alexis Ajinca, the 20th pick, is a project for the future.
5. Sonics guard Russell Westbrook will be more productive as a rookie than much more publicized Grizzlies guard OJ Mayo.
Both Seattle and Memphis were awful last season, finishing last and next-to-last, respectively. However, Westbrook should see more playing time than Mayo as a rookie, as he plays on a team that lacks a productive backcourt. Westbrook is also a much better defender right now, so his season stats will be superior to Mayo's.
4. Derrick Rose was the first overall pick of the draft, but he will not finish in the top three in Rookie of the Year voting.
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5 months ago
I agree that Fernandez, Bayless, and Oden will be in the top ten but no way does Beasley win ROTY over Oden.
5 months ago
Kyle Weaver averaged 12, 5, and 4 as a senior. He's got a shooting guards body, but has no range on his shot. He's a solid player, but do you really expect him to put up numbers even as good as he did in college as a rookie?
Augustin put up 19, 3, and 6 as a sophomore. His team was outstanding, and he was the only real pro prospect on Texas. He's a great shooter and his free-throw numbers suggest that he can get to the hoop and get fouled. It's not difficult to imagine that if he stayed and played his junior year at Texas, he could have averaged 25 points a game... I just don't see why everyone is quick to call him a bust already. He wouldn't be the first undersized point to make it.
As for Westbrook and Mayo, that is bold. Westbrook's offensive game is extremely raw. He's not a shooter, he's not a proven point, and he's undersized for a two-guard. Mayo, while perhaps overrated, has great size and a polished game.
I imagine that both Memphis and Charlotte will do something in regards to the number of guards they have. Felton, Lowry, and Crittenton may all have new addresses.
Gasol has been panned as a prospect by most analysts who have seen him. He supposedly plays like Anderson Varejao/Robin Lopez. I've never seen him, that's just what I keep hearing.
I like the Hibbert prediction. His rebounds came in limited minutes. He might see close to 25 min. per game, assuming he can play.
5 months ago
Rookie of The Year:
1. Oden
2. Bayless
3. Rose
4. Fernandez
5. Beasley
5 months ago
Yo, I agree with chacho. JayBay is the darkhorse. The dude's a stud. He'll become a starter and/or be mixed in as a combo guard behind Roy. With Roy on the bench, Fernandez and JayBay would be FIERCE! Can you imagine: Bay, Fernandez, Roy and Outlaw/Aldredge and Oden? That's crazy... a lot of points... a lot of points.
4 months ago
I see a combo of Roy / Bayless where Roy plays point on offense, Bayless on defense. I'd love to see Rudy added in as a part time SF. He'd be able to drive and dish or nail the three and keep defenses honest on Oden and Aldridge. Tell me Kolbe, how go guys gonna defend all that?
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