2010 NBA Rookie of the Year Futures
The NBA draft is in the books and the rookie class of 2009/2010 has already finished playing summer league ball. In another couple of months training camp will be opening and these guys will get to work for real. There are many teams that are hanging their hopes that their top rookie can step in right away and contribute in a big way.
Let’s take a look at the top 6 draft picks to see who has the best chance to garner Rookie of the Year honors come next spring.
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#1 Forward Blake Griffin- Los Angeles Clippers
After two stellar seasons at Oklahoma, Griffin was the consensus number one player in this year’s draft. His unique combination of size, strength, and quickness gives him the ability to be a dominant force on the pro level. The Clippers will work him into the starting lineup right from the start with the hope of making him the feature player on a team that won only 19 games last season. Based on ability alone he should have an outstanding rookie year.
#2 Center Hasheem Thabeet- Memphis Grizzlies
Thabeet started every game as a freshman and turned in three strong seasons with Connecticut which should have him prepared to step right into the NBA. He has amazing shot blocking capabilities and is able to run the floor exceptionally well for a big man. He needs some improvement on his offensive game which may hold him back a bit early on. He should still be able to help this Memphis team right away, if not as a starter, then definitely coming in off the bench.
#3 Guard James Harden-Oklahoma City Thunder
Harden has been described as one of the most complete players in this year’s draft. In his two seasons at Arizona State he showed tremendous floor presence and an innate feel for the game. It is not a given that he will become an instant starter as head coach Scott Brooks insists he will have to fight for minutes, but something tells me by mid season, if not sooner he will be a fixture in the Thunder’s starting lineup.
#4 Guard Tyreke Evans- Sacramento Kings
After only one season with Memphis, Evans proved he belonged in the NBA. He has tremendous ball handling ability and a knack for making plays. At 6’6’ 220lbs he creates a physical presence, but is still amazingly quick for his size. He should be able to break into the Kings starting lineup from day one and has the ability to put up some big numbers right from the start.
#5 Guard Rickie Rubio-Minnesota Timberwolves
Rubio has played all his basketball with DKV Joventut Badacona, a member of the Spanish ACB. He possesses the skills to make it in the NBA, but because of his current contract situation with his team in Spain, it is still unknown if he will even play in the NBA this season. Even if the situation does get resolved, it remains to be seen how much he can contribute right away.
#6 Guard Jonny Flynn-Minnesota Timberwolves
While Rubio’s future with the Timberwolves is still up in the air, Flynn’s chances to help this team right away certainly are not. In his two seasons with Syracuse, he showed the ability to run a team with a maturity level normally not found in younger players. He has unbelievable quickness and scoring capability which should land him in the Timberwolves starting five sometime this season.
Five of these first six draft choices have the capability to start for their respective team at some point this season, with the exception of Rubio who will most likely still be in Spain. The two players I see having the biggest impact are Blake Griffin and Tyreke Evans as they already exhibited they have what it takes to be a big time star in the NBA.
2010 NBA Rookie Of The Year Prediction
Given the current roster of the Clippers, Griffin has the better opportunity to be a major force in turning things around this season, making him my pick for Rookie of the Year.
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