2010-11 NBA Awards: Who Will Win Rookie of the Year?
Welcome to the 2010-11 NBA Awards series. Last year's Rookie of the Year race was very tight, a very guard-driven race between Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans and Stephen Curry.
At the beginning of the season, it seemed Jennings was going to run away with the award following his 55-point game.
In the middle of the season, Evans was the leader in the race, and towards the end of the season Stephen Curry made his case for Rookie of the Year.
This year's competition for the award looks to be very tight as well. Without further ado, my choices for Rookie of the Year.
John Wall
1 of 5
An obvious choice would be No. 1 draft pick, John Wall. Wall was a No. 1 pick on some 2010 mock drafts before he ever suited up for Kentucky. He has exceptional speed, vision and good size for the point guard position. His combination of speed, quickness and size allows him to finish well at the rim.
Wall has most of his success getting his teammates involved, as he can create points for not only himself but the team around him. It doesn't hurt having good scorers and other athletic guys on the team, like Gilbert Arenas, Andray Blatche and JaVale Mcgee. Wall also has room for improvement in his control and perimeter shooting skills. The future looks bright for this young player.
Projections: 14-16 ppg, 6-8 apg.
Team Projection: 33 wins
Blake Griffin
2 of 5
Blake Griffin is considered a rookie this year after missing all of last year with an injury. Griffin is my choice for Rookie of the Year. He is an athletic freak, combined with strength, rebounding and hard work. Griffin has torn up the preseason thus far, and looks to carry that success to the NBA regular season.
He runs the floor well and no one wants to see this 6'10" behemoth running at them on the fast break. He has decent ball-handling for a big guy, which is good for the open court. Griffin has the ability to post up facing the basket or with his back to the basket, and he has great hands.
But with every player, he has his flaws. His jump shot still needs work, and he needs to prove he can be durable over 82 games. Griffin can take hits with that body, but since he uses maximum effort at all times, that can leave him open to many injuries. And if anyone can mess up his potential, it's the Clippers.
Projections: 16-18 ppg, 7-9 rpg
Team Projections: 41 wins (unless the Clippers mess up which is never out of the question)
Evan Turner
3 of 5
Evan Turner can do it all. It seemed so long ago when Ohio State was unsure if it should use Turner as its point guard. It definitely paid off, as Turner ended up winning many Player of the Year awards last season.
Turner's unselfishness, poise and control over the game impress me the most. Last year in college, he was playing point guard at 6'7". That certainly helped him with his playmaking skills. Turner, unlike many rookies, has a decent jump shot. His range doesn't extend to the three-point line, but he is still a good shooter.
He should be a good rebounder for the 76ers this year, and also a good perimeter defender, as he shows a lot of effort in his defensive abilities. However, Turner might be held back by Andre Iguodala. If the 76ers do trade Iguodala, Turner might just end up stealing the award.
Projections: 12-14 ppg, 5-6 rpg, 4-6 apg
Team Projections: 30 wins
DeMarcus Cousins
4 of 5
Was it just me or did DeMarcus Cousins look two times bigger than everyone he played in college? This guy is huge.
Cousins is going to be a beast as long as his attitude holds up, and I think it will. He is going to be a great rebounder on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. In the future, he may lead the league in rebounding one day. His mid-range game also stands out, although he rarely utilized it during his time at Kentucky.
Cousins can also bang around in the middle because of his gigantic body. His strength allows him to punish guys in the post on both sides of the ball. He can post up facing up and backing down.
His defense is also impressive. He blocks shots and alters shots as well. He has decent post-up skills and is a good man-to-man defender.
But of course this all depends on his work ethic. Cousins has been noted to be lazy, immature and out of control at times.
Projections: 11-13 ppg, 7-9 rpg
Team Projections: 35 wins
Sleepers?
5 of 5
Greg Monroe
Monroe has a great face-up game. His Georgetown offense may have been holding him back a little. He has exceptional rebounding and passing skills. Monroe might have a lot of opportunities playing in Detroit.
Paul George
He might not play too often behind Danny Granger, but George is still a good player. He doesn't just shoot well; he is an all-around good scorer. He is a decent rebounder from his position, and shows a lot of potential on defense.
James Anderson
Anderson is a great scorer and shooter. He may get good playing time as San Antonio is known for giving a good amount of time to their rookies. He could end up being instant offense and a sixth man off their bench.
Ed Davis
Another good big man out of this draft class, Davis is a smooth player who can post up either way. He is a decent rebounder and a very tough player. He isn't the most athletic guy on the court, and isn't big enough to play against very physical forwards. He might get a lot of playing time with the Raptors.
Cole Aldrich
I love Aldrich. He is going to the starting center for the Thunder by the end of the year because of his defense and rebounding. He fits well with the Thunder. Aldrich can also get to the line at will. He is very tough and willingly throws himself into contact.
