Erick Blasco's 2008-2009 Preseason Rookie Report

O.J. Mayo—Memphis Grizzlies

Mayo will be given ample playing time as Memphis’ shooting guard to figure out how to play in the NBA. He’s strong and athletic, and should be effective putting his head down and getting to the rim.

However, given that Memphis lacks the role players needed to run a complex offense, Mayo’s scoring chances will almost exclusively come in transition or out of isolations. Those offenses tend to disappear against good defenses—one of Memphis’ problems last year, and one of their expected downfalls this year.

It’s hard to expect Mayo to be efficient when he’s only a 6'4" shooting guard who will be asked to create his own scoring opportunities. He’ll score, but his field-goal percentage won’t be great, and he won’t make too much of a difference in Memphis’ win column—at least for this year.

Derrick Rose—Chicago Bulls

It’s hard to predict what to expect out of Derrick Rose, since there is so much uncertainty surrounding Chicago’s roster. Will Kirk Hinrich start at the point? Will he start at the two? Will Hinrich, Rose, Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes, and Thabo Seflosha all get minutes?

These are all factors affecting how much playing time Rose will get. Besides worrying about playing time, he’ll also have to learn the offense, earn the respect of veteran teammates, and adjust to first-time head coach Vinny Del Negro.

Despite being strong, smart, and explosive, only the most prolific point guards step in right away and excel as playmakers—and those players are usually given complete control of the team. Expect Rose’s role, and production, to fluctuate as the year progresses.

Russell Westbrook—Oklahoma City Thunder

Since the Thunder are rebuilding, it’s only a matter of time before Russell Westbrook takes the starting point-guard position away from Earl Watson and runs with it.

Westbrook is wonderfully gifted athletically, but very inexperienced at handling the ball and running an offense. The best place for him to hone those skills would be in the starting lineup, where he can focus on running diagrammed plays for Kevin Durant—not off the bench, where play is more chaotic and random.

It’s unlikely Thunder coach P.J. Carlesimo would want to throw Westbrook to the wolves right away.  But he’s certainly a player who could have an explosive second half when he gets more playing time.

Kevin Love—Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love will have every opportunity to hit open jumpers when opposing defenses double-team Al Jefferson, and to corral Jefferson’s leftovers on the boards.

Love doesn’t have much of a post game, and he won’t have much room to work in the post with AJ taking up space down low, but he should be effective living on the perimeter and hitting open jumpers.

The T-Wolves don’t have many reliable scorers, so Love’s number should be called frequently throughout the year.

Chris Douglas-Roberts—New Jersey Nets

In the preseason, Chris Douglas-Roberts has shown an uncanny awareness at overplaying passing lanes and coming up with steals. He’s also been able to create his own shot in the halfcourt and rebound the basketball.

With the Nets in the midst of a youth movement, and featuring a collection of mediocre wings surrounding Vince Carter, CDR’s energetic play should inspire Lawrence Frank to put the youngster in the game.  Even if his offense is raw, his ability to create turnovers would mesh nicely with New Jersey’s energetic bench stable of Eduardo Najera, Keyon Dooling, Sean Williams, and Jarvis Hayes.

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