Blake Griffin and John Wall Lead Rookie of the Year Candidates
There may be a ton of hype surrounding John Wall, but Blake Griffin is the lead dog in this race.
Making his professional debut on Wednesday night after missing his entire inaugural season, Griffin displayed the athleticism, talent and undeniable skill that so many had predicted for him at the NBA level.
Taking no time to make his presence felt, Griffin was a monster underneath the basket, stroking jumpers from the perimeter, and caused matchup problems all evening long.
Finishing with a line of 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and a steal, the sky is the limit for Griffin, who is just beginning to harness his enormous potential.
With all that said, Griffin still has to prove that he can stay healthy and there is a very talented group of rookies that he will have to fend off should he hope to take home the award.
James Anderson, San Antonio Spurs
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The best rookie that nobody is talking about, it's clear that Anderson is going to be a big part of San Antonio's plans from the onset.
Chipping in 10 points (two threes) and a steal in 27 minutes off the bench, the Oklahoma State product is making his presence felt immediately as a legitimate scorer in the NBA.
With the Spurs looking to keep their veterans fresh for the stretch run, Anderson can expect plenty of burn so long as he remains productive and makes smart decisions on the hardwood.
If Anderson even hopes to sniff the award though, he'll have to kick in some contribution across other categories as he simply won't score enough to warrant consideration on that alone.
Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers
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A horrific summer league, a pathetic preseason, and already a "bust" label to shed. How did Turner fall so far so fast?
Looking to prove to everyone (including his coach) that he is very ready to play at the NBA level, the No. 2 overall pick from this year's draft made quite an impression with his debut performance.
Going for 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a block in just over 30 minutes of play, Turner's versatility is very clear as he is capable of contributing across the stat sheet. Most impressively, he shot 7-10 from the floor and made smart decisions with the basketball, which he hadn't done previously.
While he probably won't get that much burn on most regular nights if starting PG Jrue Holiday plays better than he did (6 PTS, 3 AST, 5 TO), Turner is making strides in the right direction and could work his way back into the good graces of Sixers fans very quickly.
Wesley Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Long, athletic, and with the ability to shoot the lights out, what's not to like about Mr. Wes?
While Johnson may be limited in the early going due to a hamstring injury that he's just now finally recovered, you can bet that this kid is going to be a major piece of the offense sooner rather than later.
Coach Kurt Rambis said that he would be worked into the rotation slowly, so if his 18 minutes on opening night is a slow integration, Johnson could very well see 25-plus minutes in the very early going.
After dropping 13 points,four rebounds and an assist in his limited time on the floor, it's clear that Johnson has the ability to score at the NBA level. If he hopes to garner more consideration for ROY honors, he'll have to prove capable of contributing in more than just one area.
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
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Another very talented big man, Cousins was extremely poised in his first career NBA start.
Going up against the European big men of the Timberwolves, Cousins went for 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. While he didn't block a shot in his debut, those will come sooner rather than later, and it was a very impressive showing for someone deemed "uncoachable" just weeks before the NBA draft.
Perhaps the most underrated part of Cousins' game is his passing ability, as highlighted by his five assists. Additionally, his proficiency from the foul line allows him to stay on the floor late in close games.
The one aspect that will hold Cousins back in his rookie season will be foul problems, but as he gets more and more experience that issue should correct itself.
It will be very interesting to see how Cousins' playing time is affected once Samuel Dalembert returns from injury, but this kid is just too good to keep on the sidelines.
John Wall, Washington Wizards
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Is this a two-man race between Griffin and Wall?
With the 2010 No. 1 overall pick set to make his NBA regular season debut on Thursday, Wall will have a chance to electrify fans across the globe with his unique skill set and extraordinary talents.
Already having shown an inclination to score and dish the rock to his teammates, Wall will surprise many with his level of play on the defensive end. Already emerging as an elite point guard in the league, it may not be long until Wall is grouped in the same category as budding stars Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose.
Make no doubt about it: the Wizards are John Wall's team, and they will only go as he does, as he will serve as the facilitator of the offense. Poised to play heavy minutes (36-plus) all season long, this could be the most exciting rookie that the NBA has seen in a long, long time.
Whats Your Prediction?
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Who will take home the award?
Will it be one of the players detailed, or will a surprise player take the league by storm?
The NBA is a young man's league, and these rookies are certainly a big reason for that.
