The NBA season is quickly coming to its climax as the season finals get underway for 2008. The best teams appear to be making short work of their lesser rivals as each and every player shows off his best game. The veterans are on the floor earning their exorbitant contracts, but what about the guys who have just earned their strips with just one year under their belts. Who measures up and who doesn’t in the world of NBA basketball.
Best rookie player pick
Although just about everybody who watches NBA basketball with some regularity will have an opinion about who was the best rookie player out there this season, Kevin Durant may be the consensus rookie player of the year. At age 19, he showed what youth can bring to the Seatle Supersonics by averaging 34 minutes per game, 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He even can line it up from downtown with 2.8 per game. Around the key the guy is simply unstoppable as he has the speed to leave many others wondering where he went. Although he is young and still learning how to play with the big boys in the NBA he will certainly be considered for all the basketball honors down the road.
A core player
Al Horford may not be one of hose flashy NBA rookies that everybody wants to be like but he certainly got the job done in 2008. Playing for the Atlanta Hawks may actually be one of the better situations for a player like Thorpe as it has not been able to put several seasons of positive play in the books for some time. He showed that his skill set is excellent to build around and offer the team hope for the future. Granted, the guy is still learning his way around the NBA but a steady player; averaging 31 minutes per game, 10.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and a field goal percentage of 49 percent show how relentless he can be where it counts. Thorp may be the man the Hawks need to make trades around for the future.
Ready to run
Some players just have all the talent that they need to play at an elevated level. The skill and talent were born into them. Knowing how to use it effectively is the key. Thaddeus Young may be that player. He is lightning fast and can make the plays around the rim. He could use a few more minutes of playing time and his numbers reflect it. However, his 4.2 rebounds per game show that he is making his presence known and that he will be ready to play at a moment’s notice. He’s solid at 53.9% from the field but could use a bit of help from the outer line.
A solid crop
The NBA class of 2008 was a solid crop of rookies reflecting every aspect of the game. Trades will likely be made to fine tune a teams needs but, for the most part, teams have a solid bench going forward. The old guys may make the splashy plays for the next year or two but the new guys are ready to take over when their time comes.
Best rookie player pick
Although just about everybody who watches NBA basketball with some regularity will have an opinion about who was the best rookie player out there this season, Kevin Durant may be the consensus rookie player of the year. At age 19, he showed what youth can bring to the Seatle Supersonics by averaging 34 minutes per game, 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He even can line it up from downtown with 2.8 per game. Around the key the guy is simply unstoppable as he has the speed to leave many others wondering where he went. Although he is young and still learning how to play with the big boys in the NBA he will certainly be considered for all the basketball honors down the road.
A core player
Al Horford may not be one of hose flashy NBA rookies that everybody wants to be like but he certainly got the job done in 2008. Playing for the Atlanta Hawks may actually be one of the better situations for a player like Thorpe as it has not been able to put several seasons of positive play in the books for some time. He showed that his skill set is excellent to build around and offer the team hope for the future. Granted, the guy is still learning his way around the NBA but a steady player; averaging 31 minutes per game, 10.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and a field goal percentage of 49 percent show how relentless he can be where it counts. Thorp may be the man the Hawks need to make trades around for the future.
Ready to run
Some players just have all the talent that they need to play at an elevated level. The skill and talent were born into them. Knowing how to use it effectively is the key. Thaddeus Young may be that player. He is lightning fast and can make the plays around the rim. He could use a few more minutes of playing time and his numbers reflect it. However, his 4.2 rebounds per game show that he is making his presence known and that he will be ready to play at a moment’s notice. He’s solid at 53.9% from the field but could use a bit of help from the outer line.
A solid crop
The NBA class of 2008 was a solid crop of rookies reflecting every aspect of the game. Trades will likely be made to fine tune a teams needs but, for the most part, teams have a solid bench going forward. The old guys may make the splashy plays for the next year or two but the new guys are ready to take over when their time comes.
