ESPN Insider: Rookie Rankings

[MaNu4Tres]

Can anyone who has insider share with the Spurs faithful?

Thanks in advance.

[Tlegacy7]

I copied the first page it has Dejaun Blair on it which I figured he would be the person you would be most concerned with.If you want more I'll try to copy them all.I dont know if this is illegal to do if it is mods I will gladly delete it please dont ban me.

1. Brandon Jennings, Bucks
Here are two words that help understand what potentially makes Jennings special: infectious enthusiasm. His passion for the game leaps out of him, and spills over the floor. Some of it has to land on his teammates. Add that to his love for passing to them, and you have an idea why he's off to such a great start.

Every smart scout I sat with while watching him play in Vegas this summer kept talking about how much fun it would be to play with him. As a point guard, that's the best compliment you can get. Also, the fact that he's not afraid to fail (like, when he spent last year in Rome) has to be appealing to coach Scott Skiles.

It's hard to get mad at a player who so desperately wants to play well and does so with great effort. There are times when he's terrific at popping passes everywhere, and others where he over-dribbles and takes a horrible shot. He'll learn, and quickly, how to do more of the former and less of the latter.

But he's a terrific scoring threat, averaging 22.0 ppg on 50 percent shooting from 3 (and just under it overall). I've been most impressed with his ball-screen action -- no rookie attacks the screens better than him, and most are much worse.

• Check out Brandon Jennings' rookie card for more observations

Flynn
Flynn

2. Jonny Flynn, Timberwolves
There is talk of Flynn's being demoted to the second unit, in favor of Ramon Sessions, but it's not because Flynn has stumbled out of the gate.

In fact, he's been good, if not very good. His shot selection has been solid, as has his shooting (3-of-5 from 3, 47.5 percent FG). It's clear that he has a flair for the dramatic, although his high turnover rate have not helped to keep the drama low, at least not to his coach.

Still, the argument can be made that Flynn has been the second-most productive rookie after one week of action. Coming off the bench will not slow Flynn down, if coach Kurt Rambis decides to make that move. In fact, like Ty Lawson, Flynn's jets and shooting ability are tailor-made for a production-packed role in reserve. He looks like a mainstay in our top 10.

• Check out Jonny Flynn's rookie card for more observations

Lawson
Lawson

3. Ty Lawson, Nuggets
The truth is, a few of the point guards on this list could do what Lawson is doing, if they were on the Nuggets. Well, almost. Lawson's time at North Carolina has him well-prepared for how he needs to play in Denver. But he does not have to apologize for his good fortune' after all, he has made much of it himself.

Watching him rush up the floor, being quick while not hurrying (it's a John Wooden reference), is to see exactly what most NBA coaches want in their backup PG. Make easy plays, help teammates get good shots, and do not ever turn the ball over.

It likely won't happen this season, but Lawson has the makings of a perennial Sixth Man of the Year award winner.

• Check out Ty Lawson's rookie card for more observations

Curry
Curry

4. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Hopefully, Curry has to put to rest the idea that he is lacking as a passer. Watching him play (or seeing that he leads all rooks in assist rate) should tell you all you need to know.

He's imaginative, he anticipates the actions of both his teammates and their defenders, and he has the ball skills required to deliver the goods.

He's also smart, as his gunning style as a shooter in Vegas and in preseason (not to mention, at Davidson) seems to have been set aside for a more disciplined approach.

• Check out Stephen Curry rookie card for more observations

Blair
Blair

5. DeJuan Blair, Spurs
Want to know how a rookie can break into the lineup of a championship contender? Ask Mr. Blair -- he could write a book about it. The book would have many chapters, but the title would be something like: "Play defense, rebound your butt off, and finish!"

Well, Blair is fifth in the entire league in rebound rate and eighth in true shooting percentage among power forwards. He's miles ahead of any rookie in either category. Once he gets to playing solid defense, he'll be a permanent part of that Spurs rotation, if he isn't already.

• Check out DeJuan Blair's rookie card for more observations

Casspi
Casspi

6. Omri Casspi, Kings
In Sacramento's home opener on Monday night, Casspi blocked a Zach Randolph shot at the rim (one of his two blocks in the game). And he pulled down three key offensive rebounds with sheer hustle and determination.

His energy has sparked something numerous times thus far, but then again, that's exactly what the Kings expected when they drafted him. He's the classic high-energy guy, but he's doing two things that no one expected. He's scoring, just over 10 points per game, because he's making perimeter shots.

Casspi has made 4 of 9 3-pointers, after hitting 11-of-21 in the preseason, all coming from a player who was not known for his shooting. Like DeJuan Blair, when rookies can combine energy (defense and/or rebounding) with finishes, they become valuable rotation players.

• Check out Omri Casspi's rookie card for more observations

Budinger
Budinger

7. Chase Budinger, Rockets
Budinger continues to be somewhat of a revelation in this draft. He is playing with such confidence, and when that is combined with world-class athleticism and some serious skill, it's a dangerous mix for opponents. More importantly, it's part of a winning recipe, as his 17 points and five rebounds proved in a 113-96 win over Utah on Monday.

For Houston to make the playoffs this season, they had to count on some overachieving. In this case, it's not overachieving as much as achievement from an unexpected source. I know the Rockets' brass loved what they saw from Budinger, a second-round pick, this summer, and nothing has changed.

• Check out Chase Budinger's rookie card for more observations

[AussieFanKurt]

hmm flynn at two is a big call..
i'd say jennings, curry, blair, lawson

[duncan228]

Rookie Rankings: Point guards all the rage (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=nba_com-rookie.rankings.week1-20091104&prov=nba_com&type=lgns)
By Drew Packham, NBA.com

7. DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs

It's only been a week, but already it appears Blair could finish the season as the top rookie rebounder. Through three games, Blair is pulling in 8.3 boards in about 20 minutes of action. Behind Blair, at 5.0 per game, is New Jersey's Terrence Williams. Blake Griffin may give Blair a run for the title when he comes back from his knee injury, but for the near future Blair should continue to dominate the category.

1. Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
3. Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves
4. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings
5. Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets
6. Chase Budinger, Houston Rockets

8. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
9. Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings
10. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

blair is so going to be on the all rookie team :ihit

[TIMMYD!]

beast is gonna kick some ass

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Ty Lawson :smokin

[Danny.Zhu]

http://www.nba.com/rookies/
NBA.com rookie ranking, Nov 4th

1. B.Jennings
2. S.Curry
3. J.Flynn
4. T.Evans
5. T.Williams
6. C.budinger
7. Dejuan Blair
8. D.DeRozan
9. O.Casspi
10.T.Lawson

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Ty backs it up with a 23pt game (9/10 fg , 3/3 from 3), 4 boards, 2dimes and a steal, in 28minutes

:smokin

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Ty backs it up with a 23pt game (9/10 fg , 3/3 from 3), 4 boards, 2dimes and a steal, in 28minutes

:smokin

[Riverwalkman]

Ty backs it up with a 23pt game (9/10 fg , 3/3 from 3), 4 boards, 2dimes and a steal, in 28minutes

:smokin

double post fail. I watched his game, his is a very smart PG, Nuggets shall put him in the long term plan.

[Riverwalkman]

:downspin:

[timtonymanu]

no sight of the top 3 picks anywhere although blake griffin shouldnt count. thabeet has sucked hard. idk about harden.

Jennings easily is the best rookie so far.

[Chieflion]

no sight of the top 3 picks anywhere although blake griffin shouldnt count. thabeet has sucked hard. idk about harden.

Jennings easily is the best rookie so far.
Harden was leading the bench in the Lakers game and has performed averagely so far. Jennings is just flat out awesome.

[wildbill2u]

These performances and the absence of Thabeet, injury to Griffin, make you wonder about the efficiency of the draft process.

[SpuronyourFace]

Jennings has been really good!

Glad we actually have a rookie who has stepped in and actually been a contributor, and is mentioned as one of the best rookies so far this season.

2nd round gold.

[Brazil]

I'm so happy to have picked S. Curry quite high in fantasy league... he gave 9 assists yesterday.

Saying that if Blair was playing for a so so team with more than 30 minutes he would have a shot a ROY.

[LOL@MavsFan]

Rookie Rankings: Point guards all the rage (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=nba_com-rookie.rankings.week1-20091104&prov=nba_com&type=lgns)
By Drew Packham, NBA.com

7. DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs

It's only been a week, but already it appears Blair could finish the season as the top rookie rebounder. Through three games, Blair is pulling in 8.3 boards in about 20 minutes of action. Behind Blair, at 5.0 per game, is New Jersey's Terrence Williams. Blake Griffin may give Blair a run for the title when he comes back from his knee injury, but for the near future Blair should continue to dominate the category.

1. Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
3. Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves
4. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings
5. Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets
6. Chase Budinger, Houston Rockets

8. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
9. Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings
10. Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets

LaTyreketron LaDeMarTron