The Game of Garretson: Top 5 NBA rookies thus far

John Garretson

I have not touched base on the NBA all too much with these columns, keeping generally in terms of football, but aside from my scornful, rage-filled article on the CBA debacle back in November, I figured “why not”? Not by any means was the 2011 NBA draft class an impressive one, as future stars such as Harrison Barnes of UNC and Jared Sullinger of Ohio State stayed put for another year in aims of a national championship. However, it caught us all off-guard to see some of these players blossom into mature role players (Markieff Morris of the Phoenix Suns) and watch others deflate from their over-hyped draft stock (Enes Kanter of the Utah Jazz). Dipping into the 20 or so games so far, it’s really been the year of the guard for the rookie class, and some of them are making the case that this draft class is no joke. Here are the Top 5 I believe have stood out:

5. Kemba Walker, point guard Charlotte Bobcats

The men’s national championship MVP from the University of Connecticut had doubters to begin with even with an impressive tournament run and nearly single-handedly carried the Huskies from the get-go. NBA scouts were concerned with what a 6’1″ guard could do and his long range shot was in question. Walker came into the league with a bang, and ever since he’s hit the ground running with 12.2 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, and an unexpected .338 3-point percentage. Walker’s speed and ability to create shots inside the paint or from mid-range is a perfect asset for Charlotte, once he and D.J. Augustin can co-exist on the floor. Expect Walker and the ailing Bobcats to remain league bottom feeders.

4. Brandon Knight, point guard Detroit Pistons

The University of Kentucky is the McDonald’s of NBA rookie talent: in such a short amount of time you have what you ordered and leaves you satisfied, at least for the most part. It was bound for Knight, a Coach Calipari product, to shine in the NBA, with his top conditioning and intellectual ball movement, but to contribute 12.4 ppg, 3.5 apg, and near 33 minutes a game is a wow factor in my books. The Pistions are still in rebuild mode post-2004 championship, and with expiring players in Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey, expect the Pistons to use Knight as their centerpiece for draft classes to come.

3. MarShon Brooks, shooting guard New Jersey Nets

The Big East’s leading scorer was not from Syracuse or Georgetown, but from small Providence College, that being Brooks with 24.6 ppg. His draft stock fell late because scouts feared his lanky size and lack of mid-range shot, but as soon as he was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Nets on draft day, he has been shutting the nay-sayers down. With Brooks Lopez down, Brooks has been aiding all-star guard Deron Williams in the scoring efforts with 14.8 ppg, .459 field goal percentage and almost 30 minutes a game. I would definitely give Brooks “The Underrated Rookie of the Year” award.

2. Ricky Rubio, poing guard Minnesota Timberwolves

Rubio has been a bit of a mystery since the 2009 draft, when the T-Wolves took him 5th overall, and decided that it wasn’t his time for the NBA and made his way back to Spain for two years. 2011-12 could not be more of Rubio’s year: 11.4 ppg, team highs in assists (8.9) and steals (2.2), surrounded by a cast of young guns in Kevin Love and Derrick Williams and poised to be a threat with Spain in this year’s Summer Olympics. If you haven’t seen a magical, jaw-dropping pass of Rubio’s yet, I highly suggest Youtube-ing it first thing.

1. Kyrie Irving, point guard Cleveland Cavaliers

This shouldn’t come as a shock for any NBA fan, as Irving has lived up to his No.1 draft choice since he laced up for the Cavaliers. The 19 year-old former Duke Blue Devil has been putting up better rookie numbers than former No. 1 overall and Cavalier Lebron James: 17.9 ppg, 4.8 apg, and 3.4 rpg. Cleveland has already reaped in the benefits from Irving’s production: from being dead last in the Eastern Conference to now possible seventh or eighth-seeded playoff team. Irving will be a name to know for years to come and should easily run away with the Rookie of the Year award.

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Posted by John Garretson on Feb 2 2012. Filed under Columns, Sports, Sub Feature. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.