Rookies in the NBA generally don't make huge splashes in their first year, regardless of their talent level.
Some are stuck with the wrong team, or suffer an injury (a la Greg Oden), and don't shine like some expect.
But then there are the guys who live up to expectations and become major contributors to their organizations earlier than expected.
These are just three of the rookies who made some nice impacts on their respective teams in 2007:
Kevin Durant (pick #2), G/F, Seattle Supersonics (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Key Stats: 20.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG
Al Horford (pick #3), F/C, Atlanta Hawks
Key Stats: 10.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.9 BPG
Playoff Stats: 12.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.0 BPG
Luis Scola (called over from Europe), F, Houston Rockets
Key Stats: 10.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.3 APG
Playoff Stats: 14.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.3 APG
The most important thing to note with these guys is that two of them made a significant impact on playoff teams. Without Al Horford, the Hawks probably wouldn't have made the playoffs at all. Both players also upped their respective games during their playoff time, increasing stats in just about every major category.
Notice the one who didn't reach the playoffs (Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant), averaged stellar numbers for a lackluster team. He did exactly what he was supposed to do. Teams don't change overnight, but if Durant can keep that high scoring and up his rebounds, he should help Oklahoma City make a statement with its new team.
So, who from the 2008 class is ready to contribute right away?
Time for the breakdown of my top five rookies most likely to make an immediate impact this year:
5. Russel Westbrook (pick #4), G, Oklahoma City Thunder
Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson are the only men who stand in the way of Westbrook and a great rookie season.
Assuming he beats out Watson and Ridnour for the majority of the minutes (probably between 20-25 since he can play both guard spots), with Kevin Durant on the wing, Westbrook will have plenty of opportunities for assists.
When he gets time at the point, expect him to rack up 6-7 dimes easily. And when he plays the shooting guard spot, look for him to show us some more of those dunks he showed in the NCAA Tournament this past year.
4. Kevin Love (pick #5), F, Minnesota Timberwolves (traded from Memphis)
I'm not sold on whether or not Love is NBA-ready, but he'll get every chance to prove me wrong in Minnesota.
In Summer League, Love showed he's still got some work to do to increase his college three-point range to NBA three-point range, going 0-for-7.
But, he certainly proved he can bang the boards, leading all Summer-Leaguers with 13.5 RPG, and his 18.0 PPG were also pretty impressive, even if it was against Summer League players.
If Love can bring his post presence to Minnesota, he'll be beloved (no pun intended) by fans in an instant.
Like I said, I'm not sold on him as an NBA player, but that's just me.
Prove me wrong, Kevin!
3. Brook Lopez (pick #10), C, New Jersey Nets
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