Some of these rookies have been impressive already. Only four days into the pre-season. The Blazers, especially Rudy Fernandez, have made the most noise.
Blazers' Rudy Fernandez, Greg Oden & Jerryd Bayless
The Blazers have the most talented rookie nucleus than any other team. Fernandez stole the show in the 2nd half of the first game with 6 points and 5 assists, including a back door alley-oop dunk and an alley oop reverse lay-up high off the glass. Even though he shined playing 36 minutes in his second game, his night ended earlier than expected when he sprained his ankle. He finished with 15 points with 3 three pointers, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals in his first start.
In 20 minutes, Oden posted 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists and blocks each for a nearly sold out Rose Garden, who witnessed a 110-81 blowout of the Kings. His second game against the Warriors, 14 points and 9 boards (5 offensive) in the loss. Bayless put up 5 points and 3 rebounds and assists each his first game. Starting in the place of Sergio Rodriguez the next game, he had 13 points and 2 rebounds, but struggled as a point guard with no assists and 5 TOs.
Heat's Michael Beasley & Mario Chalmers
Beasley had an impressive 3rd quarter against the Pistons, scoring 13 of his 16 points in the loss. He also grabbed 6 boards in 21 minutes off the bench. Chalmers came off the bench and didn't do as well. He put up 4 points, 3 rebounds and assists each, 2 steals and 4 TOs in 24 minutes off the bench.
Kings' Donté Greene & Jason Thompson
Even with the massacre they took that was the Blazers, Greene was one of the few bright spots for the Kings. He scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in the final 4:31 left in the game and grabbed 2 boards. JT showcased his quickness and put up 6 points, 4 rebounds and a block. Unfortunately, he also fouled out.
Grizzlies' O.J. Mayo & Marc Gasol
Mayo did a solid job in his 30 minutes, putting up 14 points, 3 rebounds and a steal. He did have 4 TOs though. His second game against the Wizards, not so good with 7 points, 2 rebounds and a steal in 31 minutes. You can't blame Marc when his first game in the NBA is against Yao Ming. He put up 5 points, 2 rebounds and assists each and a block. His second game against Etan Thomas, he had 10 points, 9 rebounds and a block.
T'Wolves' Kevin Love
He didn't start in front of scoreless Mark Madsen, but he should have. Love had 13 points on 6-10 shooting and 5 rebounds in 23 minutes of play. His second game off the bench, 10 points, 5 boards, an assist and a block in 28 minutes. Expect him to start by the regular season.
Celtics' Bill Walker
In limited minutes, Walker did an excellent job. 11 minutes, 8 points, 2 rebounds.
Bucks' Luc Richard Mbah a Moute & Joe Alexander
That's a long name. In his first game he had 9 points, 2 rebounds and assists each, a steal and only one foul in 26 minutes of play. In his first start against the Pistons, he had 4 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 5 TOs in 43 minutes. Lottery pick Alexander hasn't even stepped onto the court yet.
Wizards' JaVale McGee
McGee did a decent job in his first game with 7 points in his first game against the Mavs, but he went for 20 points in his second. With Antawn Jamison's injury, his playing time could increase.
Magic's Courtney Lee
He didn't do much his first game. In the second game against the Bobcats, he had 9 points 4 rebounds and a steal on the night in a blowout win over the Bobcats.
Pacers' Roy Hibbert
Hibbert did good in 14 minutes of play with 6 points and 2 boards. He also got hit with a flagrant foul in the 105-71 loss to the Hornets.
Cavs' J.J. Hickson
He had a good debut with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and a block in 22 minutes. A solid start.
Thunder's Russell Westbrook
Westbrook had an okay debut with 13 points, 3 rebounds and assists each, but also had 5 TOs.
Warriors' Anthony Randolph
Randolph put up some good numbers. Six points and rebounds each along with 2 steals in 18 minutes. He also had 4 TOs. It got worse for him in his second game. He scored nothing in 10 minutes of play, getting only 3 rebounds 2 assists and a steal.
Raptors' Roko Ukic
The point guard made his debut against the Knicks after coming overseas. He had 7 points, 2 assists, a rebound and a steal.
Sixers' Marreese Speights
Speights played well in the Las Vegas Summer League. This game, he had 8 points, 2 boards and a steal in 19 minutes, but he also had 3 TOs.
Suns' Robin Lopez
Lopez didn't do well against the Hawks. He fouled out in 16 minutes, finishing with 5 points, a rebound and 2 TOs.
We'll see the best rookies of the year at the rookie game during All-Star Weekend in Phoenix this year. The starting line-up for the rookies look like it'll include at least Fernandez, Oden, Beasley and Mayo. In the second half of the season, who knows who could break out? It should be an exciting season watching to see which rookies shine.
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