greg oden

NBA: Top Preseason Rookies

Hoopsworld — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:11:30 -0700

Preseason is what it is. Win and losses really do not matter. However, preseason games do give the masses a chance to see the first glance of the stars of tomorrow. Here's a look at some of the rookies who have performed well thus far during the league's version of a dress rehearsal.

Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers

It took a year longer than most fans had hoped, but Oden has finally taken the NBA hardwood. The big-man from Ohio State hasn't disappointed, either. His physical size alone has made him a factor. This much is clear so far: If my man gets near the rim, he's going to try and rip it off. Defensively, he's also going to block a heck of a lot of shots this season, too. Just think what Oden will be capable of when he gets into "game shape." He will be a factor for the Blazers this season. When he gets a fully refined offensive game a couple of years down the road, he may evolve into the best big-man in the game.

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Yes, Rose looked nervous early during his first action in his hometown of Chicago last week and turned the ball over a few too many times. Of course, it would have helped if his teammates had caught a pass or two. This kid is a big, strong point guard who will be able to get into the lane whenever he wants to. He looks a lot like Deron Williams out on the floor but with better springs. Chicago won't regret taking Rose. This kid has a chance to be a factor for the Bulls for the next decade-plus.

Michael Beasley, Miami HEAT

Everyone knew the Beazer could play, and he's done just that during the preseason. His ability to score inside and out will help him be effective right out of the gate. He's the kind of kid who can score 20 points without even trying. When he's focused, he's shown the ability to be very good on the boards, as well. Miami has been bringing Beasley off the bench so far this preseason, but it will be hard to keep him out of the starting lineup if he continues to score the basketball like he has been. If he commits to defending and keeps his head right, Beasley has the chance to be special.

O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies

There's something about this kid that just screams professional. He's already started taking on a leadership role and is fiercely competitive. His outside jumper has been questioned by some, but given his work-ethic one would have to believe it's only a matter of time until he becomes a legitimate deep threat from behind the NBA three-point line. And just for the record, Mayo hit six three-point shots in a game on Monday night and is shooting over 36% from beyond the arc in the preseason. At just 6-foot-4, there will be nights where Mayo will get taken advantage of on the defensive end by some of the league's bigger shooting guards. However, he'll become a more crafty defender over time as he gains more experience. Mayo no doubt has All-Star potential.

Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

No, Love hasn't been the most athletic or physically talented rookie this preseason. However, he has been solid and smart. There will be moments this season like the one in last Friday's preseason game in Denver where he gets embarrassed by athletic veterans like Kenyon Martin. There will also be moments where he throws a great pass from the high-post down to Jefferson in the low-post or where he stretches the defense with his outside shooting ability that leave Wolves' fans optimistic about what the future might hold. His ability to position rebound and throw quick pinpoint outlet passes might not make the highlight reel, but these skills will certainly benefit his team.

Robin Lopez, Phoenix Suns

This is probably not the Lopez many readers were expecting to see on this list, but his defense and hustle have raised eyebrows in the preseason. His brother Brook may have a more refined offensive game, but Robin's energy has been hard to ignore. He's relentless on the offensive glass and a deceptive shot-blocker on the other end. He likely won't ever be a superstar, but he'll be just the kind of hard-nosed energy player every championship-caliber team has to have.

Rudy Fernandez, Portland Trail Blazers

Okay, so Fernandez got injured early in the preseason. But what we saw left us yearning for more. The first thing fans are likely going to do when watching this kid play is check to make sure they didn't accidentally hit the fast-forward button on their Tivo remote; dude is in a perpetual state of motion on the court. His high basketball IQ combined with his flare for the dramatic will make him an instant fan favorite in the Rose City. This guy has a chance to be the next major international superstar in the Association.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Westbrook was a somewhat risky pick by GM Sam Presti. Like Rose, Westbrook has had his ups and downs this preseason. Such is life in the NBA as a rookie point guard. However, his physical prowess and defensive effort and instincts have to excite the Oklahoma City faithful. And don't take it from your friendly neighborhood columnist, either. Check out what former UCLA teammate Kevin Love told HOOPSWORLD about Westbrook after getting a chance to compete against him in the preseason. "He looked great the other night. I'm not just saying that because that's my boy, either. His change of direction, how fast he was, the way he can run the point and how he passed the other day... he looked great. The one question-mark about him has been his shooting, but I've seen him shoot at practice. If he can shoot when the lights come on as well as he does in practice, he's going to be a star player."

NBA: Big Preseason Surprises

Hoopsworld — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:45:21 -0700

By: Librado Wright

The summer has come and gone, which involved a lot of big names changing their zip codes, coaches changing teams, and a few key trades that should help teams improve this season. Now, it's all about the pre-season. Unlike past years, where there hasn't been much to talk about, this season already has a few headlines that are worth mentioning.

"Stephon Marbury Accepts Backup Role"

Remember that player who was labeled as a guy who only cared about his individual stats and wasn't a team player? Well, all that has changed. With publicly stating that he is okay with coming off the bench, Knicks guard Stephon Marbury has finally shown signs of maturity and selflessness. The Knicks made the move to change coaches this summer by bringing in Mike D'Antoni from the Suns and acquired point guard Chris Duhon from the Bulls in free agency. There were rumors that Starbury would be released or even traded, but so far he is still with the Knicks . Marbury has been in the headlines since being acquired by the Knicks for all the wrong reasons, but he admitted he wants to win a championship and will do anything to do so. This new resound change of heart by Marbury definitely tops the list of surprises this preseason.

"Jamaal Tinsley Still With Pacers"

Whatever happened to Jamaal Tinsley being shipped out of Indiana because he did not fit in the offensive scheme that the Pacers have? Just like most rumors this one did not flourish to be much of anything. Maybe it's a hard trade for the Pacers due to Tinsley's injury-plagued season a year ago, and with having three years still left on his contract. One would only believe that Tinsley's days are numbered. The Pacers definitely want to get something done and Tinsley wants this resolved so he can start playing basketball. Right now everything is up in the year and all this speculation will remain a constant distraction.

"Vince Carter Wants To Stay In New Jersey"

After having a disappointing season a year ago for the Nets, there were many talks that Vince Carter could be on his way out New Jersey as this past summer approached. Instead, it was the long time Net Richard Jefferson that packed his bags and was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Carter signed a huge contract before the start of last season and the Nets were looking for the trio of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson to lead this team to back to the playoffs. But that never happened and with both Kidd and Jefferson gone, Carter is left to help carry this team this season. At this point the Nets can't afford to get rid of Carter with this roster depleted of stars. Not to mention, he is the only true offensive threat the Nets will have this season.

"Greg Oden Impressive In First Game"

If you were nervous that Greg Oden would not be the same player that he was before his injury prior to the start of last season, you may reconsider after Tuesday night when he displayed his strong debut for the Portland Trail Blazers. Oden scored an impressive 13 points in 20 minutes after coming into camp out of shape, and only playing in two summer league games since being drafted. Oden's ability to put up big numbers should not come as a surprise, but coming out in his first official game for the Trail Blazers and making a mark right from the opening tip is something impressive.

It's only safe to say that the mumbles and rumors in the NBA will continue as the regular season approaches. As always HOOPSWORLD will make sure you are up to speed on everything that's going on. Stay tuned!

NBA: Must-Watch Rookie Team

Hoopsworld — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:24:13 -0700

By: Yannis Koutroupis

When Kevin Garnett averaged 10 points and six rebounds 13 years ago during his rookie season we knew there was something special about him. Despite the low numbers it was apparent that he was going to develop into the dominant force he is today. The same could be said for Amare Stoudemire after he produced 13 points and eight boards a game his first season. They didn't produce on a nightly basis then like they do now, but they were extremely exciting to watch. The 2008 draft class has several players that will warrant special attention as well. While it's not a guarantee that they will develop into dominant forces like KG and Amare eventually did, you'd be foolish to pass up watching these guys when you get a chance to this upcoming season. Here's a look at this year's must watch rookie team:

Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls
In March we watched Rose develop into the best point guard in the country at Memphis. In June we watched him struggle significantly against fringe NBA talent at the Orlando Summer League. How good he'll be in year one is a major question mark right now, but Rose has had ample time to rest his knee that was giving him trouble in Orlando. He should be 100% healthy now and with all the weapons the Bulls have he's going to be worth your time to check out. He's going to be splitting time early on, but the Bulls drafted Rose to be their point guard and the plan is to eventually hand the reigns over to him. Very few point guards in the league have the talent that Rose does, and once he gets acclimated to the NBA game he should put himself among the elite.

Jerryd Bayless – Portland Trail Blazers
After a disappointing slip on draft night Jerryd wasted no time on proving people wrong at the Las Vegas Summer league by earning MVP honors. He's projected to be the backup point guard right now in Portland, and Bayless has the skills to contribute right away. He's a lot like Tony Paker in the sense that he's a better scorer than passer, and also like Tony he has speed that is uncontainable. Bayless is a fiery competitor that will bring the intensity this young Trail Blazer squad needs to make the playoffs in the West. Portland is overflowing in young talent that will help open Bayless up to do what he does best: score. However, don't be surprised to start seeing his assist numbers climb up as the long term expectations are for him to become a full time point guard.

Michael Beasley – Miami HEAT
There may be questions about his work ethic, intensity, and maturity level, but Beasley is undoubtedly going to be a rookie to watch this season. He's an elite level talent, even at this level. He's slated to be the 6th man this season in Miami, which is scary when you think about what he's capable of. There's very little Beasley cannot do on the basketball court. We should see him at both forward spots this year, giving him a chance to showcase his extensive skill set. If Beasley produces consistently early on the HEAT could start to seriously consider trading Udonis Haslem or Shawn Marion to open up time for him. Before the draft the HEAT were said not to be very high on him, but watch how quickly that becomes a complete afterthought.

Anthony Randolph – Golden State Warriors
If you missed out on getting to watch Randolph at the Vegas or Salt Lake Summer Leagues you're in for a treat. At 6'11 Randolph is extremely athletic and possesses more than adequate perimeter skills. Randolph will thrive in Golden State's up tempo offense and should eventually turn into one of the tougher players to match up with in the league. The big problem for Randolph though is his slight frame, and in the very physical NBA he could have some issues early on with injuries. Offensively he's a lot like Lamar Odom, but on the defensive end he is much more active. He has the potential to be a fantasy powerhouse because he can impact the game in so many ways. Randolph will have people thinking right away that the Warriors got an absolute steal at 14.

Greg Oden – Portland Trail Blazers
We have been waiting for Oden's rookie season since he was a sophomore in high school. Microfracture surgery pushed it back a year, but Oden is finally ready to start what many believe could be a Hall of Fame career. Incase any of you have forgot, Oden is a freakishly athletic 7 footer with an incredible wingspan and a frame similar to Dwight Howard's. Reports and players out of Portland say he's lost nothing in terms of athleticism despite the surgery. Oden is going to be a force defensively and on the boards, but in order to establish himself as a dominant center his offensive skills are going to need to improve. We saw what sitting out a year did for Amare's overall game, and if it has any kind of similar impact for Greg – watch out for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Honorable Mention:

Rudy Fernandez – Portland Trail Blazers
It was tough to fight off the urge to put him on the first team after how great he was in Beijing. Fernandez is a terrific offensive player that also appears to be a major part of Portland's rotation this season. How well he plays on the defensive end could dictate how much he plays, but offensively Fernandez is already ready for the NBA.

O.J. Mayo – Memphis Grizzlies
Mayo would probably make a lot of other people's first team, but after Vegas Bayless earned a slight edge in this writer's mind. Memphis presents a great opportunity for Mayo, and with Mike Conley Jr. and Rudy Gay there he won't be expected to do too much offensively. If Mayo really focuses in on the defensive end the Grizzlies could win more games than people expect.

Eric Gordon – Los Angeles Clippers
While the signing of Baron Davis definitely takes minutes away from Gordon, it's going to make him a much better player. The two players have similar builds and are incredible offensive players, but Gordon needs help developing into a point guard. Baron has established himself as one of the league's best, and his guidance should make Gordon a much better player.

Brook Lopez – New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets have obviously embraced the rebuilding process and Brook Lopez is going to be a big part of that. The hope is that Lopez will provide some offensive punch inside that they have been lacking for years now. During summer league he showed signs of being able to produce just that, and with expectations being so big he will certainly see a lot of minutes.

Kevin Love – Minnesota Timberwolves
There's nothing like some gold old hard work to turn your doubters into believers. People have questioned how good Love would be in the NBA from day one, but thanks to his incredible work ethic he appears to be ready to be a solid pro. Alongside Al Jefferson Love will only be expected to defend, rebound, and help the flow of the offense. Hey may never be an all-star, but he will contribute significantly to the Timberwolves.