Ashy Larry
09-19-2010, 11:52 AM
Who will get the hardware?
Over the past 10 years, only two No. 1 draft picks have won the NBA Rookie of the Year award -- LeBron James and Derrick Rose. Last season's winner was Kings guard Tyreke Evans (pictured), the No. 4 pick. All of which makes predicting the next recipient difficult, especially in a year with two No. 1 picks eligible for the honor as well as a long-awaited newcomer from Brazil. But that won't stop us from trying. -- John Galinsky
5. Evan Turner, SF, Philadelphia 76ers
The national player of the year at Ohio State, Turner did it all for the Buckeyes. He's also a relatively polished product, having spent three years in college, and should be NBA-ready as a rookie. However, it's unclear what his role will be with the Sixers, who already have a promising point guard in Jrue Holiday and a pair of talented wingmen in Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young. Unless Philly unloads Iguodala, it's unlikely Turner will get the ball enough to put up ROY numbers, though he'll surely have a better rookie year than the last No. 2 pick, Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet.
4. Tiago Splitter, C, San Antonio Spurs
When the Spurs drafted Splitter in the first round three years ago, they hoped the 6-11 Brazilian would join them before Tim Duncan got too old to win another title. Instead, Splitter stayed in Europe, where he could make far more money than was possible under the NBA rookie wage scale. And now that he's finally a Spur, Duncan is 34 and San Antonio's championship window appears closed. That is, unless Splitter, 25, turns out to be the next Tim Duncan. Don't count on it. If nothing else, the 2010 Spanish League MVP should provide the kind of frontcourt help Duncan hasn't had since David Robinson retired in 2003.
3. DeMarcus Cousins, C, Sacramento Kings
His talent is undeniable, but his character scared teams at the top of the draft. That was said last year about Tyreke Evans, who rewarded the Kings for their faith with over 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game. Cousins may make Sacramento look just as smart. Though he has ideal size (6-11, 270 pounds) and impressive skills for an NBA center, Cousins fell to fifth in the draft because of so-called character issues. He was outstanding in summer-league play, however, and has a chance to be that increasingly rare commodity, a true franchise center.
Blake Griffin, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
It's been so long since we've seen Griffin on the court, it's easy to forget that he was considered a shoo-in for the 2010 Rookie of the Year award at this time last year. An explosive scorer and relentless rebounder, he was far and away the nation's most dominant player at Oklahoma two seasons ago. Selected No. 1 by the Clippers, he sat out the entire season because of a stress fracture in his left knee, meaning he's still a rookie. Assuming he comes back strong, he could easily be the ROY a season later than expected. But in basketball, it's never safe to assume anything following a serious knee injury. Just ask Greg Oden. <===== :lmao
1. John Wall, PG, Washington Wizards
Like Derrick Rose two years ago, Wall has what it takes to take the league by storm: breathtaking speed and athletic ability, confidence and charisma -- and, maybe most importantly, a franchise ready to hand him the keys to the car and let him drive. The biggest questions for Wall are his suspect outside shooting and the possibility Gilbert Arenas may try to seize the keys and prove the Wizards are still his team. But the latest No. 1 pick is still the best bet to be ROY, unless, of course, Wall hits the rookie wall.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/lists/Rookie-of-the-Year-candidates#sport=NBA&photo=11866744
Over the past 10 years, only two No. 1 draft picks have won the NBA Rookie of the Year award -- LeBron James and Derrick Rose. Last season's winner was Kings guard Tyreke Evans (pictured), the No. 4 pick. All of which makes predicting the next recipient difficult, especially in a year with two No. 1 picks eligible for the honor as well as a long-awaited newcomer from Brazil. But that won't stop us from trying. -- John Galinsky
5. Evan Turner, SF, Philadelphia 76ers
The national player of the year at Ohio State, Turner did it all for the Buckeyes. He's also a relatively polished product, having spent three years in college, and should be NBA-ready as a rookie. However, it's unclear what his role will be with the Sixers, who already have a promising point guard in Jrue Holiday and a pair of talented wingmen in Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young. Unless Philly unloads Iguodala, it's unlikely Turner will get the ball enough to put up ROY numbers, though he'll surely have a better rookie year than the last No. 2 pick, Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet.
4. Tiago Splitter, C, San Antonio Spurs
When the Spurs drafted Splitter in the first round three years ago, they hoped the 6-11 Brazilian would join them before Tim Duncan got too old to win another title. Instead, Splitter stayed in Europe, where he could make far more money than was possible under the NBA rookie wage scale. And now that he's finally a Spur, Duncan is 34 and San Antonio's championship window appears closed. That is, unless Splitter, 25, turns out to be the next Tim Duncan. Don't count on it. If nothing else, the 2010 Spanish League MVP should provide the kind of frontcourt help Duncan hasn't had since David Robinson retired in 2003.
3. DeMarcus Cousins, C, Sacramento Kings
His talent is undeniable, but his character scared teams at the top of the draft. That was said last year about Tyreke Evans, who rewarded the Kings for their faith with over 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game. Cousins may make Sacramento look just as smart. Though he has ideal size (6-11, 270 pounds) and impressive skills for an NBA center, Cousins fell to fifth in the draft because of so-called character issues. He was outstanding in summer-league play, however, and has a chance to be that increasingly rare commodity, a true franchise center.
Blake Griffin, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
It's been so long since we've seen Griffin on the court, it's easy to forget that he was considered a shoo-in for the 2010 Rookie of the Year award at this time last year. An explosive scorer and relentless rebounder, he was far and away the nation's most dominant player at Oklahoma two seasons ago. Selected No. 1 by the Clippers, he sat out the entire season because of a stress fracture in his left knee, meaning he's still a rookie. Assuming he comes back strong, he could easily be the ROY a season later than expected. But in basketball, it's never safe to assume anything following a serious knee injury. Just ask Greg Oden. <===== :lmao
1. John Wall, PG, Washington Wizards
Like Derrick Rose two years ago, Wall has what it takes to take the league by storm: breathtaking speed and athletic ability, confidence and charisma -- and, maybe most importantly, a franchise ready to hand him the keys to the car and let him drive. The biggest questions for Wall are his suspect outside shooting and the possibility Gilbert Arenas may try to seize the keys and prove the Wizards are still his team. But the latest No. 1 pick is still the best bet to be ROY, unless, of course, Wall hits the rookie wall.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/lists/Rookie-of-the-Year-candidates#sport=NBA&photo=11866744