15 NBA Rookies To Watch in the 2011-12 Season
Assuming the current lockout doesn't cost us the entire 2011-12 NBA season, rookies like Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker could be a lot of fun for basketball fans to watch.
This year's draft class has been regarded as one of the weakest in recent memory, but there are certainly some compelling stories with these young players.
Here are 15 to keep your eye on...
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15. Klay Thompson: Golden State Warriors
1 of 16I actually didn't really like this pick by Golden State, especially if they don't end up trading Monta Ellis.
However, by most accounts, he was the second-best shooter in this class and could get a lot of open looks off penetration from Curry and Ellis.
14. Kawhi Leonard: San Antonio Spurs
2 of 16Kawhi Leonard seems like a perfect fit with Gregg Popovich and the Spurs' organization.
He's a tough rebounder who works hard on both ends of the floor. If Richard Jefferson can't pick up his production, Leonard may find himself starting as a rookie.
13. Iman Shumpert: New York Knicks
3 of 16If Shumpert pans out, New York could have a very big and versatile backcourt. He's 6'6" and shooting guard Landry Fields is 6'7".
He has the athleticism to excel in Mike D'Antoni's system. The question is whether or not he can develop mentally into a true point guard.
12. Norris Cole: Miami Heat
4 of 16I, for one, have never been able to figure out why Miami even has a point guard controversy. Just start LeBron James or Mario Chalmers there and call it good.
Erik Spoelstra seems intent on fooling around with this position though. Cole could very well see some time here next season as he hops right into this unnecessarily spinning carousel of ones.
11. JaJuan Johnson: Boston Celtics
5 of 16If Boston decides not to re-sign Glen Davis, JaJuan Johnson could make an impact for the Celtics very early.
Garnett is really starting to slow down and will need someone to spell him for decent stretches. Johnson has a similar build and skill set, and I think he can develop into a great power forward under Garnett and Doc Rivers' tutelage.
10. Enes Kanter: Utah Jazz
6 of 16The first center taken in this draft was Enes Kanter. Apparently, Utah thinks he can be a star. I'll be very curious to see if he is (instead of just another early lottery, big man bust).
9. Kenneth Faried: Denver Nuggets
7 of 16Kenneth Faried is definitely the best rebounder in this year's draft class and could find himself starting right away if the Nuggets decide not to re-sign Kenyon Martin (they shouldn't).
I wouldn't be surprised to see him average 10 or 11 boards a game as a rookie.
8. Brandon Knight: Detroit Pistons
8 of 16Brandon Knight was visibly disappointed over falling to selection No. 8. Sorry Brandon, it looks like you're destined to hold down eight slots your whole life.
Actually, that's probably not true. I don't know if he'll have huge numbers as a rookie, but almost every Calipari-coached point guard pans out in the NBA (Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall).
7. Marshon Brooks: New Jersey Nets
9 of 16I think Brooks has an outside shot at leading all rookies in scoring. He averaged nearly 25 points a game as a senior in the Big East, and New Jersey didn't get much production out of their wings last year.
Playing alongside Deron Williams will make scoring at this level much easier for Brooks. Williams creates opportunities for his teammates as well as anyone in the league.
6. Kyrie Irving: Cleveland Cavaliers
10 of 16It will be hard for Cleveland to justify playing an unproven rookie who only appeared in 11 college games over Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions, but they'll have to try.
A No. 1 pick is an investment, and fans will want to see plenty of him right off the bat. Considering his supporting cast, I'm not expecting much at all in terms of traditional point guard numbers.
5. Darius Morris: Los Angeles Lakers
11 of 16This one could be a combo slide with Andrew Goudelock. The Lakers desperately need to find a replacement for Derek Fisher and either Morris or Goudelock could be the answer.
4. Derrick Williams: Minnesota Timberwolves
12 of 16If David Kahn fails to trade any of Minnesota's forwards (Derrick Williams, Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph and Kevin Love), it will be very interesting to see how a new coach integrates everyone into the rotation.
Personally, I still think Beasley has more upside than Williams (that is of course, if he could ever get himself together psychologically).
3. Ricky Rubio: Minnesota Timberwolves
13 of 16The hype surrounding Rubio is pretty outrageous when you consider his numbers overseas.
He averaged five points and four assists for Barcelona last year, and those numbers will be harder to come by against NBA point guards.
He can't shoot yet either. He hit less than 40 percent of his field goal attempts and less than 25 percent of his three-point attempts.
Despite his lack of production, David Kahn, is his giddy self, handing over the reigns to this young team to Rubio. It should be fun to see how this story plays out.
2. Kemba Walker: Charlotte Bobcats
14 of 16The Bobcats may have D.J. Augustin, but I expect Paul Silas to give Kemba Walker plenty of opportunities to do his thing in North Carolina.
He's not a very efficient scorer, but that doesn't make him bashful. He'll get plenty of shots up and score a decent amount of points for a rookie.
1. Jimmer Fredette: Sacramento Kings
15 of 16Love him or hate him (why do people hate him?), you know you want to see what Jimmer does in the NBA.
Playing with ball hogs (yes sir, I said it) like Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton in the backcourt will make touches a rare thing for Jimmer. It doesn't help that DeMarcus Cousins wants the ball in his hands every second of every possession either.
That said, Fredette has already overcome a lot just to be where he is. I don't doubt that the mental side of his game will help him overcome this tough situation.
