NBA Rookie Report

1. Kevin Durant (Seattle Supersonics, 19.5 PPG)

This guy gets it already—he knows how to play at the NBA level and is catching on very quickly.

Durant is Seattle's leading scorer, even without having a thirty point game yet.

He has the range and the ability to penetrate, but his biggest problems are rebounding and defense.

Although he is a exceptional scorer, his impact on the team is not there. Once he learns to defend and score with his back to the rim, that will change.

2. Juan Carlos Navarro (Memphis Grizzlies, 10.5 PPG)

Navarro has a realistic chance to compete with Durant for rookie of the year. He is great at creating his own shot and three-point shooting is one of his strengths.

The Grizzlies are 2-1 with Navarro starting and, as a starter, he averages about 30 minutes a game with double figures.

He scored his career-high 28 against the Washington Wizards and followed that performance with a 16-point, 11 rebound performance againt New Jersey.

3. Jamario Moon (Toronto Raptors, 8.5 PPG)

This 27-year-old has been everywhere from the Harlem Globetrotters to the D-League.

He's come out of nowhere this year with his play and, although his numbers aren't great, he can play a vital role in the Raptors flexible lineup.

4. Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks, 8.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG)

On paper it seems like the Atlanta Hawks get better every year, but their record never shows it.

Horford was NBA-ready this time last year, but decided to stay at Florida so he could compete for another national championship.

Horford's biggest strength so far has been his ability to rebound.

He will be a premier big man for years to come.

His post face up game is already looking impressive, and he is very consistent.

5. Sean Williams (New Jersey Nets, 8.5 PPG, 2.1 blocks per game)

Williams is ninth in the league in blocked shots per game, something New Jersey has lacked since the loss of Kenyon Martin.

With that said, Williams has a great role on this team and his minutes will increase as long as Nenad Kristic is out.

Most of his scoring is coming from the low post, which is another plus for the Nets because they have lacked that also.

6. Yi Jianlian (Milwaukee Bucks, 9.8 PPG)

Yi is already proving doubters wrong. He is a little inconsistent, but was impressive the first couple of weeks.

He has been invisible the last two weeks, but that's what we expect from rookies. He's a good shooter and wing player, so don't expect him to be the next Yao Ming.

7. Jeff Green (Seattle Supersonics, 9.6 PPG)

The other rookie sensation in Seattle is also proving he will be a premier big man for years to come.

Green is an exceptional lost post scorer and has great skills as a perimeter player.

Rebounding is one thing he could work on, but watching him play, you get a sense of his potential.

8. Lois Scola (Houston Rockets, 7.1 PPG)

Scola is pretty much a veteran in the game.

He loves to shoot inside the paint, but needs some work on rebounding.

9. Acie Law (Atlanta Hawks, 5.9 PPG)

The lefty point guard is a great shooter in the clutch, if you watched him at Texas A&M then that's something you already know.

The Hawks will be a team to beat four or five years from now, and Law will play a vital role for those teams.

Deron Willimas and Chris Paul are the premier point guards right now, but Law will join them after a few seasons.

10. Daequan Cook (Miami Heat, 10.4 PPG)

Yes, he's the third leading scoring when it comes to rookies, but unless you've watched every Miami Heat game, you wouldn't know that his impact is not all that good.

If he's in the rotation he will score, but consistency is one his main problems.