by Joseph Fafinski
Now that the Kevin Love mess has sorted itself out in Cleveland and Minnesota, it's prematurely time to start focusing on this season's rookie class and where they might be headed. After being heralded as one of the best in recent memory, the 2014 group will always have insanely high expectations to live up to.
Understanding that it's still August and the season is two months from opening night, let's take a look at who some of the front-runners for Rookie of the Year for the coming season, and discuss their merits.
THE RANKINGS
1. Jabari Parker, SF, Milwaukee Bucks: In recent years, the award has gone to players whose teams haven't performed at playoff-level expectations. Being that the Milwaukee Bucks will likely fall into this group in 2014-15, Jabari Parker's horse in the race might have a steady lead all season. Why is this? Unlike a few other noteworthy lottery picks, Milwaukee is ready to hand the keys over to its newest young gun. The sharp-shooting and slashing Parker could put up 20 a game this season, and that's really not too big of an exaggeration. At this point, put your money down on Parker--his Carmelo Anthony-esque skillset is good enough to sway voters as Milwaukee will "improve" to somewhere around 20 wins.
2. Nerlens Noel, C, Philadelphia 76ers: This selection screams "Blake Griffin in 2009-10" all over again. In the wasteland that is Philadelphia 76ers basketball, Noel will be inserted into the lineup from day one, and it's certainly not crazy to think his shot blocking ability and defensive skills could give him a worthy case.
3. Julius Randle, PF, Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle was a Kobe Bryant-approved selection at number seven in the 2014 NBA Draft. He shined in Summer League and there's no reason to believe his left-handed dominance in the paint can't translate to the professional ranks. The reason Randle stands above the next echelon has to do with the opportunity he has to truly make a mark in his debut season.
4. Andrew Wiggins, SF, Minnesota Timberwolves: What the Timberwolves received in Wiggins is a hard-working two-way athlete. What Andrew Wiggins received was a chance to shine from the opening tip, something he wouldn't have had the chance to do in Cleveland with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving also slotted in the starting lineup. The biggest problem regarding Wiggins' stock is a plethora of other young and able bodies on the T'Pups roster.
5. Elfrid Payton, PG, Orlando Magic: Voters saw the potential and huckability from Michael Carter-Williams last season in Philly and promptly donned him Rookie of the Year. In Elfrid Payton, you have a guy who is hailed by some as Rajon Rondo 2.0, a guy who does the little things and doesn't care about the statsheet numbers. I give him about 10/1 odds to overcome some of the big boys ahead of him.
6. Dante Exum, PG, Utah Jazz: Dante Exum joins a logjam of sorts in the Utah Jazz backcourt. As time progresses, everyone will realize he's clearly the most talented of the bunch and he'll get his due. Whether that means winning the award or the preferred method, on-court victories, remains to be seen.
7. Doug McDermott, SF, Chicago Bulls: Doug McDermott is a curious case in this race. The glaring need last season for the Chicago Bulls, aside from the ongoing health saga of former MVP Derrick Rose, was a primetime scorer. It's a big task for a rookie to come out and put up big-time numbers, but if anyone from the class south of Milwaukee is up to the call, it's McDermott.
8. Shabazz Napier, PG, Miami Heat: Poor Shabazz Napier went from the narrative "I'M STARTING ALONGSIDE LEBRON JAMES" to bench minutes in a matter of time and the re-signing of Wade and Bosh punching bag Mario Chalmers. Napier is a prototype of sorts at the point guard position and I believe he'll be starting at the end of the season, when it's too late to make a case to take home our good pal ROY.
9. Marcus Smart, PG, Boston Celtics: As long as incumbent Rajon Rondo stands pat in the Celtics lineup, the odds don't exactly swing in Marcus Smart's favor. If he blossoms to the point where the team deals #9, his chances will vastly improve. Rising from the bench (Avery Bradley is expected to start at the two) to win the award is something
10. Nik Stauskas, SG, Sacramento Kings: Bieber-touting, Canadian-loving Nik Stauskas will find a role in his rookie season equalling many others on this list, so why is he so far down it? The Sacramento Kings still have Ben McLemore, simple as that. He will eat up some of the minutes that could prevent Stauskas rising to the pinnacle.
11. Aaron Gordon, PF, Orlando Magic: Some folks were surprised when Aaron Gordon's name was dropped at number four in the draft. They must not have seen how freakishly athletic and cool Gordon made basketball look in Tucson last year. Gordon's role has yet to be determined, but there's certainly enough potential for this 18-year-old to bring home freshman gold.
12. Noah Vonleh, PF, New Orleans Hornets: Noah Vonleh didn't perform as expected in the Summer League. He'd be higher on this list based on past performance and future potential, but Vonleh's role will be limited to the already solid and newly re-chistened New Orleans Hornets. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Typing 'New Orleans Hornets' again makes me happy and feel as if NBA life is worth living.)
13. Zach LaVine, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves: High-flying, cuss-happy, athletic machine Zach LaVine will have to earn his minutes this season. If nothing else, he'll don a non-stop highlight reel for the new-look Timberwolves.
14. Cleanthony Early, SF, New York Knicks: The true darkhorse of the Rookie of the Year race, Cleanthony Early, the Big Apple's inaugural selection this June, is poised to show he was in fact a first-round talent that fell to 35th. While Carmelo Anthony and Andrea Bargnani will take many of his minutes, Early's athleticism and touch won't go unnoticed this season. Count on that, at the very least.
15. Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers: Kansas product Joel Embiid will likely miss half the season, but if he comes back and runs train like he did with Kim Kardashian and Rihanna on the Twitter machine, in the words of Kevin Garnett, "anything is possible!!!!"
Also watch for: T.J. Warren, SF, Phoenix Suns; Gary Harris, SG, Denver Nuggets; James Young, SF, Boston Celtics; Rodney Hood, SF, Utah Jazz; SF Kyle Anderson, San Antonio Spurs (because Spurs)
(Image taken from solecollector.com)
Now that the Kevin Love mess has sorted itself out in Cleveland and Minnesota, it's prematurely time to start focusing on this season's rookie class and where they might be headed. After being heralded as one of the best in recent memory, the 2014 group will always have insanely high expectations to live up to.
Understanding that it's still August and the season is two months from opening night, let's take a look at who some of the front-runners for Rookie of the Year for the coming season, and discuss their merits.
THE RANKINGS
1. Jabari Parker, SF, Milwaukee Bucks: In recent years, the award has gone to players whose teams haven't performed at playoff-level expectations. Being that the Milwaukee Bucks will likely fall into this group in 2014-15, Jabari Parker's horse in the race might have a steady lead all season. Why is this? Unlike a few other noteworthy lottery picks, Milwaukee is ready to hand the keys over to its newest young gun. The sharp-shooting and slashing Parker could put up 20 a game this season, and that's really not too big of an exaggeration. At this point, put your money down on Parker--his Carmelo Anthony-esque skillset is good enough to sway voters as Milwaukee will "improve" to somewhere around 20 wins.
2. Nerlens Noel, C, Philadelphia 76ers: This selection screams "Blake Griffin in 2009-10" all over again. In the wasteland that is Philadelphia 76ers basketball, Noel will be inserted into the lineup from day one, and it's certainly not crazy to think his shot blocking ability and defensive skills could give him a worthy case.
3. Julius Randle, PF, Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle was a Kobe Bryant-approved selection at number seven in the 2014 NBA Draft. He shined in Summer League and there's no reason to believe his left-handed dominance in the paint can't translate to the professional ranks. The reason Randle stands above the next echelon has to do with the opportunity he has to truly make a mark in his debut season.
4. Andrew Wiggins, SF, Minnesota Timberwolves: What the Timberwolves received in Wiggins is a hard-working two-way athlete. What Andrew Wiggins received was a chance to shine from the opening tip, something he wouldn't have had the chance to do in Cleveland with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving also slotted in the starting lineup. The biggest problem regarding Wiggins' stock is a plethora of other young and able bodies on the T'Pups roster.
5. Elfrid Payton, PG, Orlando Magic: Voters saw the potential and huckability from Michael Carter-Williams last season in Philly and promptly donned him Rookie of the Year. In Elfrid Payton, you have a guy who is hailed by some as Rajon Rondo 2.0, a guy who does the little things and doesn't care about the statsheet numbers. I give him about 10/1 odds to overcome some of the big boys ahead of him.
6. Dante Exum, PG, Utah Jazz: Dante Exum joins a logjam of sorts in the Utah Jazz backcourt. As time progresses, everyone will realize he's clearly the most talented of the bunch and he'll get his due. Whether that means winning the award or the preferred method, on-court victories, remains to be seen.
7. Doug McDermott, SF, Chicago Bulls: Doug McDermott is a curious case in this race. The glaring need last season for the Chicago Bulls, aside from the ongoing health saga of former MVP Derrick Rose, was a primetime scorer. It's a big task for a rookie to come out and put up big-time numbers, but if anyone from the class south of Milwaukee is up to the call, it's McDermott.
8. Shabazz Napier, PG, Miami Heat: Poor Shabazz Napier went from the narrative "I'M STARTING ALONGSIDE LEBRON JAMES" to bench minutes in a matter of time and the re-signing of Wade and Bosh punching bag Mario Chalmers. Napier is a prototype of sorts at the point guard position and I believe he'll be starting at the end of the season, when it's too late to make a case to take home our good pal ROY.
9. Marcus Smart, PG, Boston Celtics: As long as incumbent Rajon Rondo stands pat in the Celtics lineup, the odds don't exactly swing in Marcus Smart's favor. If he blossoms to the point where the team deals #9, his chances will vastly improve. Rising from the bench (Avery Bradley is expected to start at the two) to win the award is something
10. Nik Stauskas, SG, Sacramento Kings: Bieber-touting, Canadian-loving Nik Stauskas will find a role in his rookie season equalling many others on this list, so why is he so far down it? The Sacramento Kings still have Ben McLemore, simple as that. He will eat up some of the minutes that could prevent Stauskas rising to the pinnacle.
11. Aaron Gordon, PF, Orlando Magic: Some folks were surprised when Aaron Gordon's name was dropped at number four in the draft. They must not have seen how freakishly athletic and cool Gordon made basketball look in Tucson last year. Gordon's role has yet to be determined, but there's certainly enough potential for this 18-year-old to bring home freshman gold.
12. Noah Vonleh, PF, New Orleans Hornets: Noah Vonleh didn't perform as expected in the Summer League. He'd be higher on this list based on past performance and future potential, but Vonleh's role will be limited to the already solid and newly re-chistened New Orleans Hornets. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Typing 'New Orleans Hornets' again makes me happy and feel as if NBA life is worth living.)
13. Zach LaVine, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves: High-flying, cuss-happy, athletic machine Zach LaVine will have to earn his minutes this season. If nothing else, he'll don a non-stop highlight reel for the new-look Timberwolves.
14. Cleanthony Early, SF, New York Knicks: The true darkhorse of the Rookie of the Year race, Cleanthony Early, the Big Apple's inaugural selection this June, is poised to show he was in fact a first-round talent that fell to 35th. While Carmelo Anthony and Andrea Bargnani will take many of his minutes, Early's athleticism and touch won't go unnoticed this season. Count on that, at the very least.
15. Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers: Kansas product Joel Embiid will likely miss half the season, but if he comes back and runs train like he did with Kim Kardashian and Rihanna on the Twitter machine, in the words of Kevin Garnett, "anything is possible!!!!"
Also watch for: T.J. Warren, SF, Phoenix Suns; Gary Harris, SG, Denver Nuggets; James Young, SF, Boston Celtics; Rodney Hood, SF, Utah Jazz; SF Kyle Anderson, San Antonio Spurs (because Spurs)
(Image taken from solecollector.com)