Matt
09-23-2007, 08:12 PM
While the recent knowledge of Greg Oden’s season-ending knee surgery distressed the city of Portland, about three hours north on I-5, Kevin Durant started making room on his trophy case in his new Seattle home. But while KD is surely the front-runner for ‘07-08 Rookie of the Year, how will all the other rookies pan out as the season unfolds? With that in mind, we made up our Preseason All-Rookie Team.
STARTERS
Kevin Durant, Sonics — As a freshman last year in the Big 12, KD averaged a ridiculous 25.8 points per game, good enough for fourth-best in the nation, plus his 11.1 rebounds also ranked fourth nationally. Seattle dealt Ray Allen and let Rashard Lewis go in free agency, basically handing the franchise over to Durant, who automatically becomes the go-to-guy on every play, just like he was at Texas. He’ll get so many shots that it’ll be a surprise if he doesn’t average at least 18 points a night.
Al Horford, Hawks — While battling under the glass with Joakim Noah last year, Horford still managed to grab 9.5 boards per game, along with 13.2 points and 1.8 blocks. In Atlanta, a team dying for a solid inside presence, Horford will dominate the boards next to Shelden Williams and put up some points in the paint, allowing last year’s team leader Josh Smith more time to run the floor.
Mike Conley Jr., Grizzlies — Last year the Grizzlies utilized veterans Damon Stoudamire and Chucky Atkins in their attempt at point guard-by-committee, and the two vets weren’t bad with Memphis’ bevy of young, capable scorers once the team switched to its up-tempo style. Having turned the reigns over to Conley (and second-year PG Kyle Lowry), the rookie will thrive like Steve Nash did in Phoenix under new head coach Marc Iavaroni.
Julian Wright, Hornets — In his two years at Kansas, Wright posterized his fair share of cars in and out of the Big 12. Standing 6-9 with long arms and hops, Wright will be a favorite target for Chris Paul on the break. He’ll be the latest in an entertaining line of Hornets’ dunkers, from Ricky Davis to Desmond Mason to The Birdman.
Rodney Stuckey, Pistons — With a Pistons backcourt already consisting of All-Stars Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton, Stuckey isn’t going to start anytime soon, but he’ll get plenty of playing time since Chauncey and Rip aren’t getting any younger. Flip Saunders can utilize Stuckey, who can play both guard spots, off the bench like he’s done with Jason Maxiell.
Read the rest here (including the bench): http://dimemag.com/2007/09/18/dimes-early-all-rookie-team/#more-719
STARTERS
Kevin Durant, Sonics — As a freshman last year in the Big 12, KD averaged a ridiculous 25.8 points per game, good enough for fourth-best in the nation, plus his 11.1 rebounds also ranked fourth nationally. Seattle dealt Ray Allen and let Rashard Lewis go in free agency, basically handing the franchise over to Durant, who automatically becomes the go-to-guy on every play, just like he was at Texas. He’ll get so many shots that it’ll be a surprise if he doesn’t average at least 18 points a night.
Al Horford, Hawks — While battling under the glass with Joakim Noah last year, Horford still managed to grab 9.5 boards per game, along with 13.2 points and 1.8 blocks. In Atlanta, a team dying for a solid inside presence, Horford will dominate the boards next to Shelden Williams and put up some points in the paint, allowing last year’s team leader Josh Smith more time to run the floor.
Mike Conley Jr., Grizzlies — Last year the Grizzlies utilized veterans Damon Stoudamire and Chucky Atkins in their attempt at point guard-by-committee, and the two vets weren’t bad with Memphis’ bevy of young, capable scorers once the team switched to its up-tempo style. Having turned the reigns over to Conley (and second-year PG Kyle Lowry), the rookie will thrive like Steve Nash did in Phoenix under new head coach Marc Iavaroni.
Julian Wright, Hornets — In his two years at Kansas, Wright posterized his fair share of cars in and out of the Big 12. Standing 6-9 with long arms and hops, Wright will be a favorite target for Chris Paul on the break. He’ll be the latest in an entertaining line of Hornets’ dunkers, from Ricky Davis to Desmond Mason to The Birdman.
Rodney Stuckey, Pistons — With a Pistons backcourt already consisting of All-Stars Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton, Stuckey isn’t going to start anytime soon, but he’ll get plenty of playing time since Chauncey and Rip aren’t getting any younger. Flip Saunders can utilize Stuckey, who can play both guard spots, off the bench like he’s done with Jason Maxiell.
Read the rest here (including the bench): http://dimemag.com/2007/09/18/dimes-early-all-rookie-team/#more-719