duncan228
12-05-2008, 11:30 PM
It's Fantasy, but I thought it might be of interest here.
Pure Fantasy: Rookie of the Year? Oden still has much to prove (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Pure_Fantasy_Rookie_of_the_Year_Oden_still_has_muc h_to_prove.html)
David Kendrick - Express-News
If you look at the rankings of the top fantasy rookies on this page, you'll notice Greg Oden's name isn't listed.
The big man entered the season as the front-runner for Rookie of the Year. He was a super-talented 7-footer who was drafted first overall last season before a knee injury kept him from playing a game.
But Oden was hurt in first game this season and didn't make his second start until Nov. 24. His average of 8.0 points in 14 games is hardly inspiring, and neither are his last five games:
•Nov. 26 vs. Miami: 10 points, 10 rebounds, one block
•Nov. 28 vs. Hornets: one point, eight rebounds, one block
•Nov. 30 at Pistons: 11 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks
•Dec. 2 at Knicks: two points, seven rebounds, two blocks
•Dec. 3 at Wizards: 13 points, 10 rebounds, one block
While the rebounds and blocks have been good, the points have been up and down. Using NBA.com's fantasy ranking system, over their last five games, Matt Bonner came out ahead of Oden. And it's a safe bet Oden was drafted ahead of Bonner in all leagues that didn't start with the words “Red Rocket.”
The good news for Oden is that this is his first season and he's still learning. And, while learning, he's still been effective for owners in two key categories for big men. If he can stay healthy, expect Oden to become one of the top fantasy rookies before long. But also expect more inconsistency.
Because, even though he was more heralded than the other players in their first NBA season, Oden is still a rookie.
TOP 10 ROOKIES
We’re about a quarter of the way into the NBA season, which gives us a decent sample size to look at the best fantasy rookies so far. Here are the top 10, with their real draft order in parentheses and statistics through Thursday.
RK. PLAYER INFO, DRAFT POSITION PPG RPG APG SPG BPG 3PM FG% FT%
1. O.J. Mayo, Grizzlies G (3) 21.3 4.6 2.3 1.3 0.1 34 46.2 89.6
He’s doing exactly what owners expected when they drafted him — put up points for a bad team. He’s Memphis’ leading scorer.
2. Derrick Rose, Bulls PG (1) 18.7 4.1 5.9 1.1 0.2 7 49.0 85.3
He’s exceeded expectations so far, especially with his strong field-goal percentage. He’s scored in double figures in all but one game.
3. Michael Beasley, Heat PF (2) 14.5 5.3 1.1 0.7 0.5 8 45.7 83.0
A bit of a disappointment, especially on the boards — hasn’t had 10-rebound game yet. He’s also coming off the bench now.
4. Rudy Fernandez, Blazers G (24*) 11.6 2.8 2.0 1.0 0.2 46 43.4 95.3
The 23-year-old is coming off the bench, but still a valuable player thanks to his 3-point shooting.
5. Marc Gasol, Grizzlies C (48*) 11.8 6.9 1.3 0.6 0.8 0 56.5 77.8
He’s Memphis’ starting center but isn’t a dependable fantasy starter until he improves on the boards. Still, he’s proven worthy of a fantasy roster spot.
6. D.J. Augustin, Bobcats PG (9) 12.5 2.0 4.1 0.4 0.0 27 41.7 88.9
The former UT star is still backing up Raymond Felton, but he’s getting plenty of playing time and hitting 3-pointers.
7. Brook Lopez, Nets C (10) 9.7 7.2 0.7 0.6 1.7 0 48.5 78.6
He took over as New Jersey’s starting center in mid-November and hasn’t given up the job. He’s had three or more blocks in six games.
8. Russell Westbrook, Thunder PG (4) 12.2 3.3 4.1 1.7 0.3 7 34.4 80.0
His field-goal percentage is awful, but he’s still a good all-around talent who recently moved into the starting lineup.
9. Eric Gordon, Clippers G (7) 7.6 1.4 1.8 1.2 0.4 21 41.0 42.0
The trade of Cuttino Mobley to New York opened up a starting spot for Gordon, and he’s made the most of it.
10. Mario Chalmers, Heat PG (4) 8.9 2.8 4.5 2.1 0.1 27 41.5 70.5
He’s starting, and starting to heat up, scoring in double figures in five of his last six games. But don’t expect smooth sailing all the time.
* — 2007 draft
BUSTS ... SO FAR
These rookies, all taken in the first round this year, are busts so far. But there are signs that that won’t continue all season for at least one of these guys. Stats are through Thursday.
Joe Alexander, Bucks SF
- The bad: He’s played 30 seconds the last two games for a sub-.500 team.
- The good: He plays for a sub-.500 team, so the Bucks might throw him out there at some point just to see what they have.
Jerryd Bayless, Blazers PG
- The bad: There are two point guards ahead of him in the rotation.
- The good: Top backup Sergio Rodriguez’s agent asked for a trade last month.
Danilo Gallinari, Knicks F
- The bad: There are reports he might need season-ending surgery for a bad back.
- The good: There’s always next season ..... hopefully.
Kevin Love, Wolves PF
- The bad: He’s shooting only 41.8 percent from the field — awful for a big man.
- The good: He has averaged 14.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in his last three games.
Brandon Rush, Pacers SF
- The bad: He’s started only one game this season for a last-place team.
- The good: He’s receiving steady minutes and showing promise, making owners wonder if he’ll become a starter.
Pure Fantasy: Rookie of the Year? Oden still has much to prove (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Pure_Fantasy_Rookie_of_the_Year_Oden_still_has_muc h_to_prove.html)
David Kendrick - Express-News
If you look at the rankings of the top fantasy rookies on this page, you'll notice Greg Oden's name isn't listed.
The big man entered the season as the front-runner for Rookie of the Year. He was a super-talented 7-footer who was drafted first overall last season before a knee injury kept him from playing a game.
But Oden was hurt in first game this season and didn't make his second start until Nov. 24. His average of 8.0 points in 14 games is hardly inspiring, and neither are his last five games:
•Nov. 26 vs. Miami: 10 points, 10 rebounds, one block
•Nov. 28 vs. Hornets: one point, eight rebounds, one block
•Nov. 30 at Pistons: 11 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks
•Dec. 2 at Knicks: two points, seven rebounds, two blocks
•Dec. 3 at Wizards: 13 points, 10 rebounds, one block
While the rebounds and blocks have been good, the points have been up and down. Using NBA.com's fantasy ranking system, over their last five games, Matt Bonner came out ahead of Oden. And it's a safe bet Oden was drafted ahead of Bonner in all leagues that didn't start with the words “Red Rocket.”
The good news for Oden is that this is his first season and he's still learning. And, while learning, he's still been effective for owners in two key categories for big men. If he can stay healthy, expect Oden to become one of the top fantasy rookies before long. But also expect more inconsistency.
Because, even though he was more heralded than the other players in their first NBA season, Oden is still a rookie.
TOP 10 ROOKIES
We’re about a quarter of the way into the NBA season, which gives us a decent sample size to look at the best fantasy rookies so far. Here are the top 10, with their real draft order in parentheses and statistics through Thursday.
RK. PLAYER INFO, DRAFT POSITION PPG RPG APG SPG BPG 3PM FG% FT%
1. O.J. Mayo, Grizzlies G (3) 21.3 4.6 2.3 1.3 0.1 34 46.2 89.6
He’s doing exactly what owners expected when they drafted him — put up points for a bad team. He’s Memphis’ leading scorer.
2. Derrick Rose, Bulls PG (1) 18.7 4.1 5.9 1.1 0.2 7 49.0 85.3
He’s exceeded expectations so far, especially with his strong field-goal percentage. He’s scored in double figures in all but one game.
3. Michael Beasley, Heat PF (2) 14.5 5.3 1.1 0.7 0.5 8 45.7 83.0
A bit of a disappointment, especially on the boards — hasn’t had 10-rebound game yet. He’s also coming off the bench now.
4. Rudy Fernandez, Blazers G (24*) 11.6 2.8 2.0 1.0 0.2 46 43.4 95.3
The 23-year-old is coming off the bench, but still a valuable player thanks to his 3-point shooting.
5. Marc Gasol, Grizzlies C (48*) 11.8 6.9 1.3 0.6 0.8 0 56.5 77.8
He’s Memphis’ starting center but isn’t a dependable fantasy starter until he improves on the boards. Still, he’s proven worthy of a fantasy roster spot.
6. D.J. Augustin, Bobcats PG (9) 12.5 2.0 4.1 0.4 0.0 27 41.7 88.9
The former UT star is still backing up Raymond Felton, but he’s getting plenty of playing time and hitting 3-pointers.
7. Brook Lopez, Nets C (10) 9.7 7.2 0.7 0.6 1.7 0 48.5 78.6
He took over as New Jersey’s starting center in mid-November and hasn’t given up the job. He’s had three or more blocks in six games.
8. Russell Westbrook, Thunder PG (4) 12.2 3.3 4.1 1.7 0.3 7 34.4 80.0
His field-goal percentage is awful, but he’s still a good all-around talent who recently moved into the starting lineup.
9. Eric Gordon, Clippers G (7) 7.6 1.4 1.8 1.2 0.4 21 41.0 42.0
The trade of Cuttino Mobley to New York opened up a starting spot for Gordon, and he’s made the most of it.
10. Mario Chalmers, Heat PG (4) 8.9 2.8 4.5 2.1 0.1 27 41.5 70.5
He’s starting, and starting to heat up, scoring in double figures in five of his last six games. But don’t expect smooth sailing all the time.
* — 2007 draft
BUSTS ... SO FAR
These rookies, all taken in the first round this year, are busts so far. But there are signs that that won’t continue all season for at least one of these guys. Stats are through Thursday.
Joe Alexander, Bucks SF
- The bad: He’s played 30 seconds the last two games for a sub-.500 team.
- The good: He plays for a sub-.500 team, so the Bucks might throw him out there at some point just to see what they have.
Jerryd Bayless, Blazers PG
- The bad: There are two point guards ahead of him in the rotation.
- The good: Top backup Sergio Rodriguez’s agent asked for a trade last month.
Danilo Gallinari, Knicks F
- The bad: There are reports he might need season-ending surgery for a bad back.
- The good: There’s always next season ..... hopefully.
Kevin Love, Wolves PF
- The bad: He’s shooting only 41.8 percent from the field — awful for a big man.
- The good: He has averaged 14.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in his last three games.
Brandon Rush, Pacers SF
- The bad: He’s started only one game this season for a last-place team.
- The good: He’s receiving steady minutes and showing promise, making owners wonder if he’ll become a starter.