With the NBA season ready to tip off, I thought it would be a good idea to look back at the draft and provide an update on how all of this year's picks are doing.
I have included all of the first-rounders and some second-round players who might impress, and their current teams. Let me know what you think of this year's rookies.
First Rounders
1a. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
Oden has been fantastic this preseason. There are some injury concerns after missing what should have been his rookie year, 2007-08, but he will produce on "O" and "D." The only question is how much Nate McMillan will use the potential ROY.
1b. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Rose should provide the Bulls with an electric boost off the bench as the seventh man this year. He could see some starting time, too, but will have to watch his assists-to-turnover ratio if he wants serious playing time.
2. Michael Beasley, Miami Heat
Beasley will need to take advantage of mismatches in order to average 15-plus points per game. Fifteen and eight would be a successful rookie year for the young forward.
3. OJ Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
In six preseason starts, Mayo has averaged 14.2 points and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 40.7 percent from behind the arc. He is NBA-ready, but needs to boost assist numbers.
4. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Playing the NBA point guard will present its learning curve for Westbrook. You can expect solid defense from him, but his 2.3 assists and 4.5 turnovers per game in three preseason contests is not a favorable ratio.
5. Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
Love has had limited success coming off the bench in the preseason. As the T-Wolves loss total goes up, expect his PT to go up, as well. He should assume the starting role from Mark Madsen sometime soon.
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