Rookie Watch: First Look

While yet to reach double digits in games played, the rookie race is starting to take shape. Injuries have impacted some (Blake Griffin obviously, as well as Tyler Hansbrough and others), but the current guys seem to be among the cream of the rookie crop. Playing time, team roles, and the like always impact how someone looks as a rookie, as the life of an NBA rookie is often full of ups and downs. That said, the very early look at this rookie class confirms at least one thing that many thought originally; it was strong and very deep in PGs.

Brandon Jennings1. PG Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee (10th overall from Italy)

5 games (5 starts) 43% FG, 8-20 3s, 10-13 FT, 18.4 pts, 4.4 as (3.2 to), 4.4 rb, 1.6 st

After posting a near triple double in his stunning debut, the former Oak Hill star has led his Bucks to a surprising 4-2 record, including a 32 point, 9 assist torching of Chauncey Billups and the Nuggets. He leads the Bucks in minutes, scoring, and assists, and is unequivecally proving himself to his draft day doubters who questioned him and his decision to spend last year in Italy. With Jennings' already enormous role on this team and the roster around him, only an injury will keep out of the mix for Rookie of the Year, and he’ll be a lock for the award if he can keep the Bucks around .500.

2. G Tyreke Evans, Sacramento (4th overall from Memphis)

7 games (7 starts) 40% FG, 71% FT, 4-13 3s, 15.9 pts, 3.9 as (2 to), 3.7 rb, 1.6 st

The Kings haven’t had the same start as the Bucks, but like Jennings, Evans has led the way for his team. And with the Kings' leading scorer, Kevin Martin, out for an extended period of time, Evans will start to lead his team as its primary scoring option. Since the injury to Martin, Tyreke has scored the ball well and has played the point well in Paul Westphal’s offense. A natural scorer who frequently gets to the line, Evans will continue to carry a load for a rebuilding Kings team and post numbers that will have him at or near the top in Rookie of the Year honors.

3. PG Jonny Flynn, Minnesota (6th overall from Syracuse)

8 games (8 starts) 49% FG, 86% FT, 6-19 3s, 15 pts, 3.5 as (3.5 to), 3.1 rb, 1.5 st

His numbers are slightly below those of Evans and Jennings, and his T’Wolves team is also doing much worse than the Kings or Bucks. Still, Flynn has taken the reins of his team offensively, and looks like a quality PG for the team to build around alongside Al Jefferson. If Flynn builds on his solid play, it would certainly re-open questions over Ricky Rubio's future in Minnesota.

4. PF DeJuan Blair, San Antonio (37th from Pitt)

6 games, 61% FG, 1-3 FT, 7.5 pts, 7.5 rb

After the top three, the remaining spots of this board will likely be full of movement up and down. After slipping into the 2nd round over concerns on his knees, Blair has stepped in nicely, filling a solid role off the bench for the championship caliber Spurs. Blair uses his wide body, long arms and low center of gravity to eat up space under the glass, and should be one of the best rebounders in this class. His mere three free throws in six games isn’t what you expect from a big man, but his 7 pts and 7 boards are exactly what is asked for out of the wide load.

5. G/F Terrance Williams New Jersey (11th from Louisville)

7 games, 36% FG, 7-13 FTs, 5-13 3s, 10 pts, 5.3 rb, 2.4 as (2.3 to)

Williams has filled a key role as 6th man for the Nets. His shooting percentage and turnovers aren’t ideal, but those were to be expected and should improve over time. New Jersey has really struggled as the NBA’s last winless team, but that isn’t because of Williams. One of the few bright spots in what will be a dreary season for the Nets, Williams has produced exactly as expected, giving good athleticism and versatility off the bench, and should see some major minutes as the Nets move to develop their young core.

6. PF Taj Gibson, Chicago (26th from Southern Cal)

6 games (3starts) 45% FG, 54% FT, 6.3 pts, 4.5 rb

Gibson’s numbers aren’t as good as some of those below him on the list, but he has been finding his role alongside Luol Deng, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Chicago’s several other high lottery picks, and the team is now 3-0 since inserting the former Trojan into the starting lineup. With his high motor and length, Taj fits in perfectly within the Bulls' tall and athletic frontline rotation. With Tyrus Thomas' contract situation still very much uncertain, the Bulls could be prepared to let the inconsistent LSU product walk, knowing Gibson is waiting in the wings. As he gets more comfortable and more minutes, expect his stats to improve as he becomes a bigger part of Chicago’s offense.

7. PG Stephen Curry, Golden State (7th from Davidson)

6 games (6 starts), 45% FG, 5-11 3s, 6-10 FTs, 8.2 pts, 5.7 as (2.2 to), 2.5 rb, 1.3 st

Neither Lawson, nor his team, have exactly flourished so far for the Don Nelson Dysfunction, but then he is not exactly to blame. He has played solidly, but the whole situation has been a mess out there from Monta Ellis’ early comments about Curry, to Stephen Jackson's trade demands, and now to Anthony Randolph's complaints over minutes. Yet, despite the drama, Curry has been solid, and has demonstrated his court vision and deft passing touch. If he can survive this season, you figure he can survive anything in the NBA.

8. PG Ty Lawson, Denver (18th from North Carolina)

7 games, 55% FG, 12-13 FT, 6-12 3s, 11.4 pts, 2.9 as (1.1 to), 2.3 rb, 1 st

Chauncey Billups' back up has played extremely well for fellow former Tar Heel, George Karl. In Karl’s up tempo style, Lawson’s speed is a huge asset and he has been shooting phenomenally so far. The reason? Lawson's tremendous speed and quickness in college has carried over perfectly into the NBA, and is almost impossible to stay in front of. Expect his scoring and shooting numbers to take a bit of a drop, but he’ll be great working behind (and sometimes alongside) Mr. Big Shot before eventually taking the over as at the Nuggets’ point.

9. SF Omri Casspi, Sacramento (23rd from Israel)

6 games, 56% FG, 8-16 3s, 2-12 FT, 9.7 pts, 3.5 rb

His play has been inconsistent, but he had a double-double in his last game vs. Golden State, as well as 2 other 15 point outings so far this season. He's a naturally gritty player, but he has surprised scouts with his passing and improved shooting touch from the outside. The 21 year old Israeli has solid bench player written all over him and could make for a solid young frontline alongside Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson to help the aforementioned Evans in resurrecting the Kings.

10. *tie* — PG Toney Douglas, New York (29th from Florida St)/PG Jeff Teague, Atlanta (19th from Wake Forest)

Those listed in the honorable mention have all played well and will likely make the list at some point this season, but two more first round PGs join the other 5 already on this initial rookie rankings. Douglas struggled to get off the bench in the first 5 games under Mike D’Antoni, but his performance in the last two (16 pts, 4 3s, a steal, an assist and just one turnover in 17 minutes at Milwaukee and 21 points with 3 3s and 2 steals in Utah) got him on the list. Teague has also seen inconsistent action so far this season, but his speed and athleticism have been on full display whenever he gets in behind Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford, and his court vision (17 assists to 3 turnovers so far) could lead to an increase in minutes as the season progresses.

Honorable Mention — F Chase Budinger, Houston (44th overall from Arizona); SF Demar Derozan, Toronto (9th overall from Southern Cal); SG James Harden, Oklahoma City (3rd from Arizona State); F Jonas Jerebko, Detroit (39th from Sweden); G/F Wes Matthews, Utah (undrafted from Marquette); SG Jodie Meeks, Milwaukee (41st from Kentucky)