NBA Rookies: 2008 Impact Analysis

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

With Nenad Kristic now sporting a Dynamo Moscow jersey, the Nets will have no choice but to play Brook Lopez more than they would like.

I think the youngster will step up and surprise some people. Don't be shocked to see him play around 25 minutes per game and average close to Al Horford numbers, about 10-and-10.

2. O.J. Mayo (pick #3), G, Memphis Grizzlies (traded from Minnesota)

Mayo is an immense talent. He's been NBA-ready since high school, and now he's finally here.

With Mike Conley already on board, Mayo won't be forced to play the point in Memphis, like he would have been in Minnesota, so he can focus on what he does best: pure scoring.

Mayo is a scorer in every sense of the word.

Last year at USC, he averaged 20.7 PPG. His dunks in the Summer League have proven he can take it to the hole, but Mayo also shot 41% from beyond the arc while playing for the Trojans last year, and, unlike Kevin Love, kept that impressive three-point shooting up in Summer League, going 12-for-25 (48%).

He should be just the shot in the arm that Memphis needs to get over the Pau Gasol fire sale they had at the 2007 trade deadline.

1. Michael Beasley (pick #2), F, Miami Heat

I know, I know. It's the easy pick. But there is no denying that Michael Beasley is as NBA-ready as we've seen in a long, long time.

The freshman phenom led the nation in RPG (12.4), was third in PPG (26.5), and sixth in free throws made (201). All that as a freshman.

He also averaged 1.7 BPG and 1.3 SPG. Not too shabby either.

In his Summer League play, Beasley averaged 19.6 PPG and 7.4 RPG, including a 23-point debut against top pick Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls.

Beasley should provide a solid post presence for the Heat and will get plenty of open looks with Dwyane Wade healthy and drawing consistent double-teams.

In the Heat's smaller lineup, Beasley will even get some playing time at center with he, Udonis Haslem, and Shawn Marion manning the frontcourt, while in the regular lineup, Haslem should be pushed to the bench.

Beasley will probably average close to 30 minutes per game due to his versatility and pure, undeniable talent. He's the early leader for rookie of the year.

There's my take on these rookies. Others may have a noticeable impact on their teams, but not like these guys should, in my opinion.

* Please note that Greg Oden wasn't in my list, since even though he is technically eligible to win rookie of the year, I consider him a sophomore. *