Post by Philadelphia 76ers on Mar 1, 2008 16:11:06 GMT -5
Rookie Power Rankings
1.
- Kevin Durant [BOS]15.9 PPG | 3.9 RPG | 2.1 APG |1.07 SPG | 47.1FG %
It's been an up and down season for Durant thus far, KD started off the season helping the Celtics sit atop the Atlantic Division, he then hit a cold streak where he went 6 consecutive games where he was held with 10 pts or less, then he got hit by the injury bug which sidelined him for 6 games. The Celtics went 1-5 without him in the lineup. KD struggled mightily when he returned to the line-up scoring only 16 pts in his first 5 games back. He is slowly turning the corner now and should be putting up the numbers he did before getting injured in no time.
2.
- Brandon Wright [LAC]15.5 PPG | 7.2 RPG | 1.25 SPG | .91 BPG | 44.4FG %
Brandon Wright has been having one of the most underrated seasons thus far. He has quietly put up ROY calibre numbers and has recently lead the Clippers to a rare 3 game winning streak. Playing alongside former 1st overall pick Andrew Bogut, Wright and Bogut have formed one of the top young frontcourts in the league and should a force to be reckoned with. Only area that Wright needs to improve on his his free throw shooting where he is shooting a woeful 55%. Don't be surprised if Wright ends up taking the ROY from Oden or Durant if he keeps up this pace.
3.
- Greg Oden [MIL]14.7 PPG| 8.2 RPG | 1.81 BPG | 43FG % | 9-49 3PM/A
It's been a crazy season for the 20 year old phenom out of Ohio State. Started off the season with Seattle where it looked like he would form one of the best frontcourts with Chris Wilcox for years to come. Seattle then shocked the basketball world when he dealt Oden to the Nuggets for aging Marcus Camby. His stay in Denver was short lived as Denver dealt Oden to Milwaukee for Yao Ming. It didn't get any easier from there. Oden got hit by a hip flexor which kept him out of the lineup for 9 games. Even after all this Oden has managed to stay in the thick of the ROY race combining a mix of low post scoring, deadly shooting from behind the arc and stellar post defence. With Emeka Okafor possibly bolting at the end of the season don't expect Oden to moved to another team anytime soon.
4.
- Corey Brewer [SA]12.9 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 3.5 APG | 1.50 SPG | 50.2FG %
Not much was expected of Corey Brewer heading into the 2008 NBA campaign. This was supposed to be the year where he was supposed develop his game, sit back and take it easy. With the recent trade that sent Ricky Davis and Shareef Abdur Rahim to the 76ers for Chris Webber, that has all changed. With Davis gone there was a huge scoring void left behind. Brewer stepped up his game in December averaging 15 pts (on 60 percent shooting, 6 rbs and 4 asts and grabbing Western Conference Rookie of the Month honours. The Spurs are now hoping Brewer can continue this type of play next season when the Spurs are expected to lose one of Josh Smith or Monta Ellis.
5.
- Al Horford [ATL]12.6 PPG | 9.3 RPG | 1.81 BPG | 39.1 FG%
Big E has picked up the slack with Yi struggling to re-gain his scoring touch. He has been a force on both ends of the court drawing double teams and overpowering defenders on the offensive end while swatting away shot after shot on D. Horford picked up Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honours for December, something long due since being snubbed for Spencer Hawes the previous month.
6.
- Jeff Green[/size]13.1 PPG | 5.9 RPG | 1.23 SPG | 1.03 BPG | 48.7FG%
Green has teamed up with the likes of Andrew Bynum and Al Thornton to form one of the best young frontcourts in the league. Green has brought versatility to the young Knicks squad this season whether it be stepping back and draining a 3 or grabbing a last second rebound to clinch a win.
Honourable Mentions
- Mike Conley 11.5 PPG | 3.9 RPG | 5.1 APG | 1.48 SPG- Al Thornton 11.5 PPG | 5.5 RPG | 1.2 APG | 40.9 FG%-Yi Jianlian 10.3 PPG | 9.5 RPG | 1.17 SPG | 1.13 BPG | 34.5 FG%
- Spencer Hawes 9.3 PPG | 6.4 RPG | 2.1 APG | 1.64 BPG | 35.8 FG %PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR
- Sean Williams- Wasn't getting any PT in Philly with the likes of Ike Diogu and Kevin Garnett ahead of him on the depth chart. A fresh start in Los Angeles and a starting job should do wonder for Williams. Hasn't been the case so far, the transition into the triangle offence has been a tough one for Williams, which was evident in the countless games where he was held to 0 pts. But as long as he continues to bring energy on defence, a starting spot for Williams should be locked up.
- Acie Law IV- Another man's loss is another man's gain. With the recent injury to Wizard superstar Gilbert Arenas, Law is not penciled in as the starting point guard. With Agent 0 expiring at the end of the season Captain Clutch's future with the Wizards should be determined on how he plays in the next 7-8 weeks. 
-Rodney Stuckey- Word out of the Cleveland camp is that they're uncomfortable with Keyon Dooling starting. That should give Stuckey ample opportunities to play the point for the Cavs. Don't be surprised if Stuckey is anchoring the Cav's offence once the playoffs come around
