Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

[GodsSon]

First, I want to say that I think the 2002 class will rival the '96 and '99 classes as far as talent goes, but I digress (sorta)...

2002 All Rookie Team
<ul type="square"> G Wagner (Cleveland)
G JWill (Chicago)
F Stoudamire (Phoenix)
F Gooden (Memphis)
C Gadzuric (Milwaukee) <font color="green"> He'll be starting by December </font color>[/list]

Honorable Mention

<ul type="square"> Nikoloz Tskitishvili (Denver)
Caron Butler (Miami)
Yao Ming (Houston)[/list]

...And now, The God's Son Rookie Awards [cue orchestra]

<ul type="square"> The "Opps. My bad" Rookie aka The big bust: Mike Dunleavy (Golden State)

Big Surprises (second round steals): Dan Gadzuric (Milwaukee) Vincent Yarbrough (Denver)

The "Oh my God!, turn it to Sportscenter!" rookie: Stoudamire

The rookies most likley to have that " don't let the ball hit my head" look on your next Kobe or TMac poster: Ming, JWill, Skita

First rookie to break out the "play me or trade me" cliche(publically): Melvin Ely (LA Clippers)

The "damn, I didn't know he could do that!" rookie: Marcus Haislip (Milwaukee)

The "Save your money, you'll be out of the league in 4 years" rookie (not including second rounders): Curtis Brochardt (Utah)

The "I should have gotten his rookie basketball card" rookies: Stoudamire, Nene Hilario (Denver), Tskitishvili

The "Shoulda stayed in college" rookie: Chris Wilcox (Clippers)

The "At least the Barbeque is good" rookie: Drew Gooden

The rookie logging 20+ mins for a playoff team: None

And finally, the Rookie of the Year ... 1. Amare Stoudamire 2. Jay Will 3. D. Wagner[/list]

[GodsSon]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

Guess it's too early to talk about this, or no one cares.

[fsquid]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

Yup, you guessed it, too early. The rookies have a long way to go until those awards are handed out.

[aholbert32]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

Its too early but I think you are a bit off with the Stoudamire and Gooden picks. Butler will be 1st team rookie for 1 simple reason: Zo is gone and they need somebody who can consitently score. He will be one of the few rookies that gets 20 shots a game.

Gooden has to battle for shots w/ Gasol, Batttier, and Williams. So there wont be much left for him. Plus he is a tweener. He isnt fast enough to play SF and he is to small to play PF.

Stoudamire. High Schooler. Unless your name is Garnett. High Schoolers never have great or even good first years. Talk to me about him in 2 years.

[hoopscitylive]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

I think Stoudamire is the most "ready-to-play" high schooler to come out. The Suns are already saying he's the strongest guy on their team. If he doesn't start, he'll certainly be one of the first guys to come off the bench...

Not sure about Gadzuric... I could see him starting though, just because the Bucks lack options at center.

I think Yao will adjust more quickly than people think, and he'll be in the running for ROY, especially if the Rockets make the playoffs. (which if they're healthy is a safe bet)

Being from Chicago, I have to go with JWill for ROY. period.

Gooden is good, but aholbert is right, he won't get many shots with Gasol, Battier, and Williams. Not to mention a healthy Michael Dickerson.

If any rook is getting 20 mins a game come playoff time, I would say it'd be Ginobili... That guy can play.

I think Lonnie Baxter will be the suprise 2nd rounder, much like Trent Hassell last season.

[GodsSon]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

Hoopscitylive, I agree with you about Emanual Ginobili. He could avg over 20 mins a game for a playoff team.

And I do see you guys' point on Gooden.

[Rasco11]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

I would consider Jacobson, Prince, and Frank Williams as sleepers!

I really don't think this class is that great, myself?

Gadzuric for first team??? Wow, that is bold!

I think it will be a three person race for ROY...Jay Williams, Caron Butler and DeJuan Wagner. They will get the most opportunity to put up numbers by far!

[swigfall]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

most sport center highlights for a rookie Freddie Jones

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

Stoudemire baby.....I cant wait to see the Starbury to Stoudemire connection in effect!

[Gizmo]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

I'm expecting Butler to have a stellar season. I think he has a good shot at winning ROY, because the Heat need another scorer on the team, now that Zo is most likely out for the season. And I think he was the steal of the draft.

[Shaver]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

No mention of Tayshon Prince?? That boy can flat out stroke it... He'll contribute.

[GodsSon]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

Everyone, besides me, seems to think Caron Butler was the steal of the draft. Guess it's me against the world as usual.

And Prince doesn't have a prayer unless he changes the release point on his jumper.

[Shaver]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
And Prince doesn't have a prayer unless he changes the release point on his jumper.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> Doesn't have a prayer of what? He was averaging in the teens during the summer league. His game is for real. Just wait.

[aholbert32]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Doesn't have a prayer of what? He was averaging in the teens during the summer league. His game is for real. Just wait.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Summer leagues dont mean much. You know who looked great in the summerleagues last year? Kwame Brown. What did he do last year? Nothing

[GodsSon]

Re: Breaking down the 2002 Rookies

I guess I should elborate about Tayshaun.

To play the 3 spot in the NBA, he's going to have to improve his quickness. Let's be honest, he's slower than molasses poured in Minnesota. And like most rookies, he'll need to get stronger.

So he averaged in the teens in the Summer Leagues. That's great, but doesn't translate into squat come the regular season. I'm sure he didn't have to expend any energy guarding players like TMac or Paul Pierce in the SLs. Let's see him get in the teens when he has to play defense, too. But it won't just be because of his defense...

His shot release (getting back to the point of this post) is slow and low. That may be fine in college (when he was playing the 4 nonetheless), but ask Trajon Langdon what it does for a pro career. Unless Prince has changed the way he shoots, he will have problems getting his shot off against NBA SFs.

No offense to Prince. I hope he does well, but I just don't see it. Rodney White is a better prospect, IMO.