Top 10 Rookie Debuts

There were a lot of big rookie debuts in the NBA for the past 2 days, and the only one of note who hasn't played yet is the Bobcats' D.J. Augustin. The best debuts, however, were from the most unexpected rookies.

Mario Chalmers had the best debut performance of any rookie. The numbers say that he can flourish in a fast paced game like he did running against Mike D'Antoni's fast paced game. 17 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast.

Arthur had the best defensive performance. One of 3 rookies to get a double double, all who are on this list. With his athleticism, rebounding can be a strentgh for him in the future. 11 pts, 15 reb, stl, blk, 2 blk.

Jason Thompson, wasted lottery pick for the Kings? Apparently not. He was the only rookie to even come close to a 20-10 game. He could be the real deal and is already better than starting power forward Mikki Moore. 18 pts, 10 reb, blk.

Derrick Rose had the first big rookie performance of the season giving coach Vinny Del Negro and the Bulls their first win. He shined in pre-season and the #1 pick will definitely be dangerous in the future. 11 pts, 4 reb, 9 ast, 3 stl.

Kevin Love was a huge on the offensive boards with 4 of them along with 2 blocks. He might not be the definition of athleticism but he gets the job done. 12 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, stl, 2 blk.

Rebounding, it's in the family. Unlike his brother Pau Gasol, Marc is said to be more physical and that is a huge advantage. He'll be one of the best rookie big men in the NBA. 12 pts, 12 reb, ast, 2 blk.

Russell Westbrook will eventually take the reins from Earl Watson at point guard. He's fearless going to the basket, which should help his playmaking ability when he drives into the lane. 13 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, blk.

Rudy Fernandez is an all-around guard who can play both guard positions as well as small forward. Already a fan favorite in Portland, he's a fast rising star in the NBA. 16 pts, 2 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl.

It's safe to say that he had a better outing than twin brother Robin Lopez. Brook should see a lot of playing time with the rebuilding Nets and was 2 points and 2 rebounds away from a double-double. 8pts, 8 reb, ast, stl, 2 blk.

There are high expectations for him, and some people think who should be ROY. Shooting 5-20 won't cut it in the NBA, but as talented as he is, it'll all be a distant memory by next week. 10 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl.

The Memphis Grizzlies had 3 players on the list with Arthur, Gasol and Mayo. Throw in Rudy Gay and Mike Conley and they have a talented line-up for the future ahead of them.

Some rookies, like Greg Oden or Michael Beasley, didn't make the list because they just didnt play well in their debut. Not that they're not talented, they're expected to compete for ROY.

Looking at the draft class of 2008 right now, hopefully there will be performances like these all season long and better ones for many years to come.

David Lee Won't Get Extension

The New York Knicks' David Lee, along with Nate Robinson, will become restricted free agents July 1 of next year, according to the New York Post. The 25-year-old Lee is set to have a career year starting at power forward since new head caoch Mike D'Antoni benched an out of shape Eddy Curry and moved Zach Randolph to center. The 6'9, 240 pound Lee averaged 10.8 PPG and 8.9 RPG in 81 games last season, 52 games off the bench. He's more than capable of averaging double doubles when he averaged 10.7 PPG and 10.4 RPG.

He's shown everyone in the Knicks' franchise that he deserves an extension. When he started for the Knicks last year his 13 PPG and 10.3 RPG were identical or near identical to Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion and Emeka Okafor. Sure, 2010 is coming and all those superstars, including NY friendly LeBron James, will be on the market, but if you don't lock up a double double, someone else might. New GM Donnie Walsh is not convinced.

Mark Bartlestein, Lee's agent, said this about Walsh's decision in the New York Post.

"I don't anticipate getting something done. As it stands, I don't think it will happen. Donnie is still in the evaluation process with this team. I think he understands David has great value in the league, but is cautious to make a long-term commitment before he gets a feeling what direction his team is going."

Walsh agreed with this response.

"I don't want to make a flat statement, but I don't think we're at a point I can say we're going to extend him. I definitely want to keep Dave and Nate, but you don't have to do it now, you could do it in the summer."

They're plenty of teams in need of a promising young power forward that can throw some money after this season.

• Chicago Bulls
• Denver Nuggets
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Sacramento Kings
• Utah Jazz (if Carlos Boozer bolts)

If any team throws more money than the Knicks are willing to match or if they're unwilling pay for Lee's asking price, unless Lee really wants to play for the Knicks, he's gone. By 2010, Stephon Marbury, Quentin Richardson, Jerome James and possibly, but not likely, Curry will be off the books. The Knicks have also been trying to shop the troubled Randolph, but couldn't get a deal done with the Memphis Grizzlies because of a dispute over next year's first round draft pick from the Grizzlies.

By then, the Knicks could be spending between $35-50 million before free agency, depending on who's there or not. They could be spending at least $5-15 million more if they keep Lee and/or Robinson. That would destroy the Knicks plans for 2010. Robinson averaged 16.2 PPG and 3.5 APG in 17 starts, but Lee is still a more valuable player. The Knicks might have to let Robinson go.

Lee is a must have for the Knicks' future. They're sure to land a free agent 2 years from now, LeBron or not. If you can only keep one, keep the one who gets double doubles off the bench.

Brown, Hawes Shine in 94-85 Win Over Thunder

After getting dominated by Oden against the Blazers, Hawes took out

his frustration and dominated the big men of the Thunder with a big game.

After getting hammered by teammates Beno Udrih and Mikki Moore and head coach Reggie Theus in the Sacramento Bee, after one bad pre-season game against Greg Oden and the Portland Trail Blazers, Spencer Hawes redeemed himself and re-established his post game. Not only that, Bobby Brown shined in his impressive home debut and Oklahoma City native Shelden Williams showed us, and his fianceé Candace Parker in the front row, why he was nicknamed "The Landlord."

In what seemed to be a game that was over, the Kings would have to hang on to their lead as the Thunder, playing without ROY Kevin Durant came rolling back. And Oklahoma City's road unis look like a D-League design.

1ST QUARTER

Kevin Martin sported his new mohawk after rookie teammate Donté Greene bet him $100 that he wouldn't get a mohawk like his. Greene lost. Martin came out strong scoring the first 4 points for the Kings in the debut of their new home uniforms. John Salmons got off to a strong start with 7 points. They kept the Thunder at bay with a 26-18 lead at the end of the quarter.

2ND QUARTER

The Kings got somewhat of a scare when Jeff Green led the Thunder with his 5 points at the beginning of his to cut the lead to 32-28 By then, Hawes already started what would be a big quarter. He re-established not only his jump shots, but also his post-scoring which makes him different from being "the next Brad Miller," but instead "the next Vlade Divac." He scored 12 points in the quarter and basically regained the faith of his teammates, coaches and fans who doubted him.

Bobby Brown also got his game going with 6 points in the quarter and Damien Wilkins, son of Basketball Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, led the Thunder with 9 points, but that was only the beginning for them as the Kings took a 55-39 lead at the half.

3RD QUARTER

The Kings held a 19 point lead when Salmons hit a 3 pointer to start off the quarter. After Garcia came in for Martin, things went downhill for the Kings. The Thunder, with a balanced attack through 7 players outscored the Kings 25-14 in the quarter. No one player stood out from the pack. Even with Garcia on the floor, he didn't get nearly enough touches to make a difference. Only one shot attempt the whole quarter. Bobby Jackson, who is usually a spark plug for any team who needs to get it going, just couldn't get it going. After the Thunder's 14-3 run, the Kings found their lead cut to 5 points, leading 69-65 through 3 quarters.

4TH QUARTER

The Kings looked like they were going to give up the lead like they did to the Blazers in the game before. After Johan Petro scored, Green scored 5 straight points for the Thunder cutting the lead down to 72-71. After a missed jump shot from rookie Jason Thompson, Garcia found himself a rebound wide open behind the 3 point line. He nailed it, showing he can still make a three pointer when the team needs it the most. After that, both teams started playing sloppy.

It was up to Brown to come in and be the difference maker of the game. The way he did it, it looked like he was Mike Bibby. After missing his first shot, Brown hit 4 straight shots, including two 3 pointers and 2 free throws, scoring 12 of his game-high 22 points in the quarter. Hawes hit a rare, but clutch 3 pointer earlier in the quarter and sealed the game with a dunk, finishing with 21 points, a career high on an NBA court. The Kings put away the Thunder in a 94-85 wire-to-wire win.

HIGLIGHTS

*= Team High, **= Game High

(R)= Rookie, (S)= Sophomore

KINGS

Brown (R): 22 pts** (64% FG**), 2 reb, 4 ast*, 2 stl**, 4 TOs**

Hawes (S): 21 pts (58.8% FG), 7 reb, stl (bench)

Salmons: 16 pts (62.5% FG), 4 reb, 3 ast, blk

Williams: 7 pts (7-10 FTs), 11 reb**, 2 blk**, 3 TOs (bench)

Jason Thompson (R): 5 pts, 6 reb (bench)

Martin: 8 pts, 3 ast, blk, 13 min

Garcia: 8 pts, 4 reb (bench)

Jackson: 3 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, stl (bench)

DNP: Beno Udrih (injured), Quincy Douby (injured)

THUNDER

Green (S): 19 pts*, 7 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl**, blk*

Wilkins: 14 pts, 6 reb, blk*

Johan Petro: 8 pts, 10 reb*, 2 stl**

Nick Collison: 8 pts, 6 reb, stl, blk*

Earl Watson: 4 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast

Westbrook (R): 8 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, stl, 3 TOs*

Desmond Mason: 10 pts, 4 reb

Joe Smith: 4 pts, 5 reb, blk*

DNP: Kevin Durant (rest)

The Kings (1-1) were dangerously close to collapsing again, but Brown was the reason they won. He shot 4/4 after missing his first shot of the last quarter. Even with Hawes going off in the 2nd quarter and clutch in the last quarter, Brown was the real hero of the game. He was very athletic getting to the basket and put a lock on Watson when it came to scoring. The only real problem of his game that he had was turnovers. Being that this was his first start at the NBA level filling in for the injured Udrih, Brown showed that he may have a future in the NBA.

Hawes showed his maturity level by coming back with a big game. It was a statement game to remind people why he was the #10 pick in the NBA in 2007. Green was the best player of the team that night scoring 9 of his 19 points in the last quarter. The Thunder (0-2) came back like a storm surge, but the Kings held on despite being only one point away from blowing a 19 point lead. I called a radio show when Martin was a guest and took questions on air. I asked him how he could get his assists up. He responded by saying when he gets more touches he'll be able to distribute the ball more. He was right. He had 3 assists in 13 minutes.

The Kings have the triangle offense working, but once they shut it off, their game goes too. If they can find a way to keep it on for a full 48 minutes, they can score over 100 a game. They did last year. They were outrebounded and outdistibuted and their interior defense was still bad. They still need to find a way to improve in those areas. Otherwise, the team is on the right track offensively.

Trade Possibilities for Jamaal Tinsley

The Indiana Pacers traded for T.J. Ford, sending Tinsley a clear message that he was unwelcome in Indiana. Even with back-up point guard Travis Diener out indfinitely with a foot injury, Tinsley is still chillin' at home in ATL. Progress was being made to send him to Denver but it was denied he was traded there. If the Pacers want to get Tinsley out, they need a point guard in return in case if injury-prone Ford ever gets hurt again. Tinsley isn't the easiest person to shop with his off-court problems. If any team wants him though, the Hawks, Warriors, Hornets, Thunder and Magic could all use Tinsley and give the Pacers who they want.

Atlanta Hawks: Mike Bibby for Tinsley and Rasho Nesterovic

31-year-old Bibby is on the tail end of his career. Two years ago, he was one of the premier point guards in the NBA averaging 21.1 PPG and 5.4 APG for the Kings. After being traded to the Hawks last season, he averaged 14.1 PPG and 6.5 APG and career playoff lows of 10.3 PPG and 3.1 APG.

Atlanta trading for Tinsley would be a better move for them than keeping Bibby. It also saves Tinsley the expense of moving out. Although Bibby outscores him by by 2 PPG, Tinsley is a better defender and distributor. Tinsley also turns 31 this year but is playing better than Bibby. Acie Law might not be ready to take over yet. Flip Murray signed with the Hawks and sparked a run for the playoffs for Indiana and barely missed it, but Tinsley will have a better impact. It also give them a quality point guard for 3 years. Nesterovic is just a trading piece to make the trade go through.

Indiana getting Bibby would give them cap space for next year to give Danny Granger an extension. Plus, you have Bibby backing up T.J. Ford. Bibby can play well with other point guards on the same floor. When Ford is on the floor, Bibby can play shooting guard, just like he did with Bobby Jackson and most recently, Beno Udrih. Good trade for both teams.

Golden State Warriors: Al Harrington and C.J. Watson for Tinsley and Shawne Williams

Golden State could really use a point guard right now with the injury to Monta Ellis. In the lead for the starting spot is C.J. Watson. Those competing for a spot are Marcus Williams, DeMarcus Nelson and recently signed Dan Dickau. Tinsley would be an instant upgrade over all of them. I have a feeling that the Warriors don't want Troy Murphy or Mike Dunleavy back.

Al Harrington's already been through Indiana twice. He averaged 13.6 PPG and 5.4 RPG last year. Getting him would give them a line-up of Murphy, Harrington, Granger, Dunleavy and Ford. Not that bad of a line-up. Harrington has an option to play for one more year and will most likely take it, but they'll be in contention this year. Watson and Travis Diener will contend to back-up Ford.

Tinsley would definitely help the Warriors' point guard troubles, with Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette, Ronny Turiaf and Andris Biedrins. The trade would give Turiaf, Brandan Wright, Anthony Randolph a chance to start for the Warriors. Williams would be tossed to the side. The loss of Baron Davis is huge, but Tinsley, if he acts right, could keep their hopes alive once Ellis comes back.

New Orleans Hornets: Mike James for Tinsley

If the Hornets have any glaring weaknesses right now, it's their depth at point gurad. They have the game's best point in Chris Paul, but no one to back him up. Jannero Pargo left for Russia and they're summer league star Bobby Brown signed with the Kings. Those minutes could take a toll on Paul at the end of the season, but Tinsley could play well as a back-up and give him time to relax. He only gets 11 minutes rest on average. Tinsley's a better player than James and they could really use his help.

Mike James was put in a position where he can't start, and he hasn't played well as a back-up to Chris Paul and played OK behind Rafer Alston before he was traded from the Houston Rockets. He's 33, but it's shown in the past that James performs better when given minutes. If Ford gets hurt again, James' performs better when he starts. He also has one year left on his contract, so it's a good trade for both parties.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Earl Watson for Tinsley

Russell Westbrook is the Thunder's point guard of the furture, but they can't really look at the playoffs until four years from now. Tinsley could speed up the process, playing next to ROY Durant and Oklahoma favorite Desmond Mason. He's one of the better defensive point guards in the league and can pass that on to Westbrook.

Watson is a very underrated point guard with 10.7 PPG and 6.8 APG with the Seattle Supersonics last season. He would be a very valuable back-up if anything happened to Ford. He's one of the more underrated distributors in the game and could help Indiana make it into the playoffs. Watson, who turns 30 next year, has three years left on his contract, but he is a valuable player to any team.

Orlando Magic: Jameer Nelson for Tinsley

If the Magic want to become championship contenders, they wait for Nelson. If they want to become contenders now, they get Tinsley. Tinsley is also a better defender and distributor than Nelson and could be the difference maker. He'd be a talent boost on a team that doesn't have to worry about anyone moving for a while, except for the fact that Hedo Turkoglu wants to opt-out next year for a pay raise.

Nelson only missed 13 games, but out of the 69 he did play he missed 7 starts. He started in all 77 games he played the year before. His numbers have gone down every season, probably because the emergence of Dwight Howard. Nelson would still be a reliable back-up to T.J. Ford. He's only 26 and averages 10.9 PPG and 5.6 APG.

Any one of these teams could use Tinsley and he could make them better. It's all about if they want to take the risk that comes with him. His stats are at an all-star caliber, and if he gets his act together, he'll be one of the league's best.

Mo Williams Trade Works For Every Team

With the Cavs getting Mo Williams, the Bucks getting Luke Ridnour and the Thunder getting Desmond Mason, every team will be better next season.

Cleveland Caviliers get Mo Williams

Line-Up: PG- Mo Williams, SG- Delonte West (if re-signed), SF- LeBron James, PF- Ben Wallace, C- Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Finally someone to take some of the scoring load off LeBron. He's been telling the front office to get him a point guard who can score. Who'd they get? 17.4 PPG 6 APG Mo Williams. They lose Joe Smith and Damon Jones in the deal, and possibly Delonte West, but both can be easily replaced and Anderson Varejao can see more playing time. I think they'll miss Smith's 51.2% FG though.

Milwaukee Bucks get Luke Ridnour, Damon Jones, Adrian Griffin

Line-Up: PG- Ramon Sessions, SG- Michael Redd, SF- Richard Jefferson, PF- Charlie Villanueva, C- Andrew Bogut

Getting Luke Ridnour will help boost their bench. Ridnour had a tough season as a back-up after breaking his nose in the pre-season. But anyone's numbers will drop if they were reduced to a back-up role. He is a better player than last year and can bounce back. Ridnour could create some competition with 2nd year point Sessions in training camp, and if Sessions doesn't deliver what he did the last part of the season, Ridnour could start. Sessions averaged 10 PPG and 10 APG at the end of the season, including a 20 point 24 assist performance, which set a franchise record.

Damon Jones will help Redd with much needed 3-point shooting off the bench. That is, if he gets off the bench with Charlie Bell and Tyronn Lue in his way.

Oklahoma City Thunder get Desmond Mason, Joe Smith

Line-Up: PG- Earl Watson, SG- Kevin Durant, SF- Desmond Mason, PF- Jeff Green, C- Robert Swift

Desmond Mason isn't just good for the franchise, but the city as well. Mason was on the Hornets team in 2006 that played it's home games in Oklahoma City. He also played his college ball at Oklahoma State. The Seattle Supersonics drafted Mason and won the 2001 Slam Dunk Contest playing for the Sonics. He gives the team a small forward they can rely on to take the scoring load off ROY Durant. Smith will be a great back-up veteran big man to mentor a young team like the Thunder, much like Kurt Thomas did before he was traded to the Spurs.

In one way or another, the trade works out for every team.

At least I was right about Williams and Ridnour about where they were moving when I first heard the rumor. (see link below).

http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/Mo_Williams_to_Cavs_in_3_Way_Trade_Delonte_West_Out/303943