Rookie Rankings

[Tammo29@xxxxxxx]

**  Wow!  Not even honorable mention for Marcus Banks?  

Rookie Rankings: April 12, 2004 
 http://www.nba.com/milk_rookie/rankings_040412.html
By Randy Kim 

LeBron or Carmelo? Carmelo or LeBron? 
The debate over who had the better rookie season will continue for months to 
come. Does King James get the nod due to his remarkably high level of play at 
such a young age? Or should the 'Melo Man be given more credit for leading the 
Nuggets to a winning record (and possibly a spot in the playoffs) in the 
incredibly competitive Western Conference? 

Suffice it to say that the only right answer is that there isn't a wrong one. 
One can make a case for either of these precocious newcomers when it comes to 
naming the got milk? Rookie of the Year. And 10 times out of 10, one wouldn't 
be wrong. They're both rare talents who accomplished more in their first 
seasons than anyone expected. 
But, as regular readers of this space know, there aren't any ties in the 
Rookie Rankings. The freshmen get ranked from 1-to-10, based solely on this 
editor's opinion. And as this is the last Monday of the regular season, this final 
installment of the Rookie Rankings ranks the newbies based on what they've 
accomplished over the entire season, not just on the preceding week's action. 
So who was my pick for top rook of 2003-04? Well, I'm sure that half of you 
will agree with me. As for the other half? I'm sure you'll probably want to 
banish me to a desolate region of the Rockies. But such is life when you have to 
choose between two players as talented as this year's one-two rookie punch. 


1. LeBron James, Cavaliers (No. 1 pick, 2003 Draft)
Key Stats: 77 GP, 20.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 1.62 spg, 39.5 mpg
Breakdown: No single player, rookie or veteran, faced greater expectations 
coming into this season, but LeBron fought through the hype to reach a level of 
play even higher than anyone expected. (Remember all those people who 
questioned his jump shot?) Not only did King James amass a remarkable 20-5-5 stat line 
for the season, but he effectively doubled Cleveland's win total (from 17 to 
33 and counting) while undergoing numerous roster overhauls. Plus, and perhaps 
most importantly, LeBron has already received that most complimentary cliche 
of all: He just makes his teammates better. 


2. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets (No. 3)
Key Stats: 80 GP, 21.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.20 spg, 36.6 mpg
Breakdown: Let's just get this out of the way: With numbers that rival 
LeBron's, why isn't Carmelo No. 1 when he took the Nuggets from 17 wins last season 
to 42 and counting this year? Well, compare last season's Nuggets to this 
season's team, and it's apparent that 'Melo was not the only component added to 
Denver's roster. Anthony inherited an entirely new backcourt, as Andre Miller, 
Earl Boykins, Voshon Lenard and Jon Barry replaced (ahem) Vincent Yarbrough, 
Shammond Williams and Junior Harrington. Plus, Denver was effectively without 
the services of center Marcus Camby last season, a legitimate Defensive Player 
of the Year candidate this year. This is not to downplay what 'Melo was able to 
accomplish in his rookie season. He is a rare talent who is already among the 
league's elite players, and he is already one of the game's top scorers. But 
it says here (and again, this is just one person's opinion) that Mr. James, 
a.k.a. "Apples," did more for his team's overall success than Mr. Anthony, 
a.k.a. "Oranges." 


3. Dwyane Wade, Heat (No. 5)
Key Stats: 59 GP, 16.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.41 spg, .467 FG%, 35.0 mpg
Breakdown: Lost in the James-Anthony debate has been the outstanding play of 
Miami rook Dwyane Wade, and were it not for injuries, the Rookie of the Year 
race might have three candidates in it. As it stands, however, Wade finishes 
the year ranked third; albeit, a very strong third. The Heat's starting point 
guard was a major part of the team's surprising resurgence this season. Like 
James and Anthony, Wade has the skill and athleticism to take over a game by 
himself. 


4. Kirk Hinrich, Bulls (No. 7)
Key Stats: 74 GP, 12.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 6.7 apg, 1.34 spg, .388 3P%, .807 FT%, 
35.4 mpg
Breakdown: The lone bright spot in a disappointing season for the Bulls, 
Hinrich exceeded even Chicago's lofty expectations. Hinrich showed himself to be 
an excellent passer, a first-rate ballhandler and a deadeye shooter, but 
perhaps most impressive was his scrappy, on-the-ball defense. His blue-collar 
approach to the game, coupled with his raw basketball talent, quickly made him a fan 
favorite in the Windy City.


5. Chris Bosh, Raptors (No. 4)
Key Stats: 73 GP, 11.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.41 bpg, .457 FG%, 33.3 mpg
Breakdown: Another high draft pick who made good on his team's expectations, 
Bosh was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for Toronto. 
Although he was hampered by injuries to himself and his teammates, and despite 
playing without much help up front, Bosh showed himself to be a true low-post 
presence on both sides of the ball. If Toronto can eventually move him over to his 
more natural position of power forward, then the sky's the limit for this 
lithe, athletic big man. 


6. Udonis Haslem, Heat (Undrafted)
Key Stats: 73 GP, 7.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, .459 FG%, 23.9 mpg
Breakdown: If Wade was lost in the 'Bron-'Melo hype, then Haslem was lost in 
the Wade hype, which is unfortunate considering Haslem's hard-fought road to 
NBA success. After spending a year playing overseas, this Florida product 
joined the Heat as an undrafted rookie this season. The hard-working, yet 
surprisingly athletic banger has gone from four to five, and from starter to reserve, 
all without missing a beat. His knack for low-post defense and strong hands led 
Brian Grant to remark that Haslem reminded him of a younger version of 
himself. High praise, indeed. 


7. Marquis Daniels, Mavericks (Undrafted)
Key Stats: 68 GP, 9.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.00 spg, .800 FT%, 29.1 mpg
Breakdown: Seemingly coming out of nowhere to crack the rookie elite, Daniels 
-- an undrafted 6-6 guard out of Auburn -- has recently emerged as one of the 
most explosive rookies in the league. Has cracked the 30-point barrier twice 
in his last nine games, and for one of the West's top teams, no less. The 
supremely athletic Daniels has shown enough promise to potentially join Brad 
Miller and Ben Wallace on the short list of recent undrafted standouts. 


8. T.J. Ford, Bucks (No. 8)
Key Stats: 55 GP, 7.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.09 spg, .816 FT%, 26.8 mpg
Breakdown: Although Ford's season was cut short by injury, he showed enough 
promise to warrant placement as one of this year's top 10 rookies. Called by 
some scouts as the quickest player in the league, Allen Iverson included, Ford 
balanced raw speed with patience and leadership as the starting point guard on 
a surprisingly successful Bucks team. If Ford develops a steady jumper, he 
could develop into one of the East's top point guards. 


9. Leandro Barbosa, Suns (No. 28)
Key Stats: 68 GP, 7.8 ppg, 2.4 apg, 1.28 spg, .391 3P%, 21.1 mpg
Breakdown: Coming into the 2003 Draft, many experts compared Barbosa to a 
young Glove, but it might be more accurate to tab the Brazilian baller a "Mini 
Matrix." From his blazing athleticism to his knack for thievery to his awkward 
yet effective jumper, Barbosa teams with Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire to 
give Phoenix an exciting young core to build around in the coming years. 


10. Josh Howard, Mavericks (No. 29)
Key Stats: 66 GP, 8.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.02 spg, 23.7 mpg
Breakdown: The last pick of the first round, Howard teamed with Daniels to 
make Dallas' brass look like card-carrying members of Mensa. Known primarily as 
a scorer while at Wake Forest, Howard quickly proved himself to be a stellar 
defender due to his tremendous athleticism and wingspan. Also has the offensive 
versatility that Don Nelson covets. 


Honorable Mention:
 Steve Blake, G, Wizards: Biggest surprise? Backup point guard can fill it up 
from 3-point range.
 Keith Bogans, F, Magic: Second-round swingman has sweet touch to complement 
defense.
 Boris Diaw, G-F, Hawks: French swingman made impressive contributions 
without scoring much.
 Willie Green, G, 76ers: Filled in ably after Iverson was lost to injury.
 Jarvis Hayes, F, Wizards: Impressive first half of season bodes well for 
long-term contributions.
 Chris Kaman, C, Clippers: Steady rebounder and defender in low post.
 Kyle Korver, F, 76ers: Went from second-round afterthought to Three-Point 
Shootout participant.
 Raul Lopez, G, Jazz: Made very steady contributions as Utah's backup point 
guard.
 Mickael Pietrus, G-F, Warriors: Late-season emergence gives Warriors hope 
for future.
 Darius Songaila, F, Kings: Helped Kings continue winning ways when Brad 
Miller was lost to injury.
 Luke Walton, F, Lakers: One of the best young passing forwards in the game.
 David West, F, Hornets: Made quietly efficient contributions in the low post 
for Hornets.

TAM