Rookie Of The Year
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From ESPN Analyst Greg Anthony tonight on ESPN.com
Roy taking honors course
The 2006 NBA draft produced about what was expected -- it wasn't the type of impact draft that delivered a player who could come in and totally change a franchise's fortunes. That's coming in the 2007 draft.
Still, there are some quality rookies this season who ultimately will make a long-term difference to their respective teams. Most notably, a polished guard in Portland has earned my top Rookie of the Year candidate honors so far. Here's how my top five rookies shape up now:
1. Blazers guard Brandon Roy -- Head and shoulders above everybody else this year. The sixth-overall pick in the draft is very mature and polished, leading rookies in scoring at 14.7 ppg. His stats put him among top 5 in rebounding (4.3 rpg) and assists among rookies.
He was the most complete player in the draft by far, ready to step into an NBA starting lineup. Coincidentally, I don't think Portland would have won as many games (18-25 after beating the Timberwolves in OT, 101-98) thus far without him. He has played in only 23 games because of a heel injury, averaging 31 minutes per game.
2. Timberwolves guard Randy Foye -- The seventh overall pick, dealt for Roy on draft night, got off to a slow start in part because Minnesota had established guards in place with Mike James and Ricky Davis.
But once he got a feel, as I think he's done over the past month or so, you've seen him elevate his game in his role off the bench, averaging 9.1 ppg. He's a lead guard in that he can play the 1 and 2 and makes decent decisions, getting to the rim when his team needs it.
3. Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani -- It took a while for him to get a feel for the NBA game. Interesting fact: Bargnani has made more 3-pointers this year than the prototype European 7-footer, Dirk Nowitzki (51 to 39), whose game continues to move inside.
Bargnani, averaging 10.3 ppg and 3.8 rpg, has been more impressive defensively to me. His ability to move his feet at 7-feet is good, and that gives him the ability to guard small forwards on perimeter. I think he's set up to have one of the better second halves among the top rookies.
Bargnani and Foye are fortunate in that they weren't pressured early. In Bargnani's case, it's rare to have a No. 1 overall pick come in and learn and not be expected to have an immediate impact. You've got to credit coach Sam Mitchell and the front office for that. When I spoke with Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo about it, he had said they didn't want to rush him. And now his time has come.
4. Jazz forward Paul Millsap -- A lot of people don't know much about him as a second-round pick , but The Paperboy (The Mailman nickname was taken by fellow La. Tech alum) is a heck of a defensive player. His skill set is not that of a go-to guy, but he's nonetheless an impact player. Averaging 5.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg while playing 15 minutes a night for one of the West's top teams. He's does all the things a team needs to play winning basketball. A very pleasant surprise.
5. Bobcats forward Adam Morrison -- Even though he hasn't shot the ball the way some would like (37.7 percent FG), he's been pretty solid playing 33 minutes a night and averaging 13.5 ppg.
I think his confidence is getting better. He's playing a lot of minutes, and unlike Bargnani, he came in carrying the expectations of needing to contribute immediately. Overall he has good basketball instincts, so I think he will continue to grow in his game.
Some other rookies who have impressed include Lakers guard Jordan Farmar. He's fit in quite nicely in the triangle offense. He's not a pure point guard, and has shot the ball reasonably well. Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay had some good games but his shooting percentage (40 percent) is not where you'd like it to be. As the game speeds up, under Tony Barone, I think that will suit him better.
Nets guard Marcus Williams has had some solid moments, and Hawks forward Shelden Williams has rebounded pretty consistently. And no, I don't include Raptors center Jorge Garbajosa in my rookie considerations. The Spaniard is 29.
ESPN analyst Greg Anthony, drafted by the Knicks with the 12th overall pick of the 1991 NBA draft, averaged 5.5 ppg his rookie year.
Roy taking honors course
The 2006 NBA draft produced about what was expected -- it wasn't the type of impact draft that delivered a player who could come in and totally change a franchise's fortunes. That's coming in the 2007 draft.
Still, there are some quality rookies this season who ultimately will make a long-term difference to their respective teams. Most notably, a polished guard in Portland has earned my top Rookie of the Year candidate honors so far. Here's how my top five rookies shape up now:
1. Blazers guard Brandon Roy -- Head and shoulders above everybody else this year. The sixth-overall pick in the draft is very mature and polished, leading rookies in scoring at 14.7 ppg. His stats put him among top 5 in rebounding (4.3 rpg) and assists among rookies.
He was the most complete player in the draft by far, ready to step into an NBA starting lineup. Coincidentally, I don't think Portland would have won as many games (18-25 after beating the Timberwolves in OT, 101-98) thus far without him. He has played in only 23 games because of a heel injury, averaging 31 minutes per game.
2. Timberwolves guard Randy Foye -- The seventh overall pick, dealt for Roy on draft night, got off to a slow start in part because Minnesota had established guards in place with Mike James and Ricky Davis.
But once he got a feel, as I think he's done over the past month or so, you've seen him elevate his game in his role off the bench, averaging 9.1 ppg. He's a lead guard in that he can play the 1 and 2 and makes decent decisions, getting to the rim when his team needs it.
3. Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani -- It took a while for him to get a feel for the NBA game. Interesting fact: Bargnani has made more 3-pointers this year than the prototype European 7-footer, Dirk Nowitzki (51 to 39), whose game continues to move inside.
Bargnani, averaging 10.3 ppg and 3.8 rpg, has been more impressive defensively to me. His ability to move his feet at 7-feet is good, and that gives him the ability to guard small forwards on perimeter. I think he's set up to have one of the better second halves among the top rookies.
Bargnani and Foye are fortunate in that they weren't pressured early. In Bargnani's case, it's rare to have a No. 1 overall pick come in and learn and not be expected to have an immediate impact. You've got to credit coach Sam Mitchell and the front office for that. When I spoke with Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo about it, he had said they didn't want to rush him. And now his time has come.
4. Jazz forward Paul Millsap -- A lot of people don't know much about him as a second-round pick , but The Paperboy (The Mailman nickname was taken by fellow La. Tech alum) is a heck of a defensive player. His skill set is not that of a go-to guy, but he's nonetheless an impact player. Averaging 5.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg while playing 15 minutes a night for one of the West's top teams. He's does all the things a team needs to play winning basketball. A very pleasant surprise.
5. Bobcats forward Adam Morrison -- Even though he hasn't shot the ball the way some would like (37.7 percent FG), he's been pretty solid playing 33 minutes a night and averaging 13.5 ppg.
I think his confidence is getting better. He's playing a lot of minutes, and unlike Bargnani, he came in carrying the expectations of needing to contribute immediately. Overall he has good basketball instincts, so I think he will continue to grow in his game.
Some other rookies who have impressed include Lakers guard Jordan Farmar. He's fit in quite nicely in the triangle offense. He's not a pure point guard, and has shot the ball reasonably well. Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay had some good games but his shooting percentage (40 percent) is not where you'd like it to be. As the game speeds up, under Tony Barone, I think that will suit him better.
Nets guard Marcus Williams has had some solid moments, and Hawks forward Shelden Williams has rebounded pretty consistently. And no, I don't include Raptors center Jorge Garbajosa in my rookie considerations. The Spaniard is 29.
ESPN analyst Greg Anthony, drafted by the Knicks with the 12th overall pick of the 1991 NBA draft, averaged 5.5 ppg his rookie year.
I know that PHX Sun guy is a big fan and all but he lost a hell of a lot of credibility with me, he must not know a whole lot about basketball. That "Rudy Gay got it on lock" statement was hilarious, he didn't even crack Anthony's top five.
Just like Roy grossly outplayed him before fouling out in the Sweet 16, Roy is grossly outplaying him this year.
This wasn't just Northwest peoples feeling Roy before the year and saying I told you so. Roy was widely regarded as the favorite to win the ROY award nationally before the year started.
Just like Roy grossly outplayed him before fouling out in the Sweet 16, Roy is grossly outplaying him this year.
This wasn't just Northwest peoples feeling Roy before the year and saying I told you so. Roy was widely regarded as the favorite to win the ROY award nationally before the year started.