The Sports Corner

2008 NBA rookie class report card

With all of the hype coming from the one-and-doners coming out of college hoops this season, it’s time to take a look at the progress of some the 2008 rookie class, now that they’ve had ten or so games to show how they’ve been able to transition themselves into the pro-game.

So, in no apparent order.

Greg Oden, C, Portland Trailblazers

Grade: B

The number one pick of 2007 didn’t play a game in what was supposed to be his rookie season, basically handing last season’s rookie of the year award to Kevin Durant. Then, in his first game of the season, after going 0-4 from the field, went down with an ankle injury. In come the doubters. But, upon his return, he hasn’t surprised anyone, just did what people expected him to do after coming out of Ohio State. But he hasn’t been the re-incarnation of Shaq, like some predicted. Right now he’s only averaging under 20 minutes per game, with seven points and 6 boards per 48. But, with the talent around him, he is a necessity on this team to guard the competition’s big men, because Portland really doesn’t have anyone else to do so.

Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls

Grade: A+

Some expected Rose to at least start out on the bench behind Kirk Hinrich in Chicago. Some expected him to start, and be the guy who gets Ben Gordon and Luol Deng back to star status after an off year for the Bulls. Well, he’s done more than that. Yes, Gordon is back to averaging over 20 a game, with Deng hovering around the 15 mark. But Rose is living up to the hype, and then some. A rookie point guard averaging 19 points and over five dimes a game is almost unheard of. He’s also got the Bulls in a playoff position in the eight spot at 5-5. With more time to work with chemistry, Rose’s bulls have the potential to finish around the six spot.

Michael Beasley, F, Miami Heat

Grade: C+

Beasley really isn’t as impressive as he was expected to be. He’s scoring points as a rookie, yes, but he is really the number two option on that team, who is tied with Chicago for eighth in the East. Beasley is probably the only player in the top ten who isn’t there because of what he did in March. He’s listed at 6′10″, but there was much talk about that being pumped up in the summer, and that he’s really hovering around the 6′8″ mark, which might make him too small to be a power forward in that division. For the Heat to be successful, he’ll have to start producing about six to seven points more than his 16 a game, along with consistent production from Flash, and more out of Shawn Marion.

OJ Mayo, SG, Memphis Grizzlies

Grade: B+

I would love to give a guy named OJ an A. I really would. But the problem is, Memphis is a bad basketball team. Mayo isn’t doing anything wrong, averaging 21 a game, but that team has so much potential on it that it should at least be a .500 ball club. Him and the rest of the Grizzlies need to start winning games. Scratch that, not going to happen in the West. They might as well take an off year and pick up a point guard in the 2009 draft because they don’t have anyone picking up assists. Marc Gasol down low will help, as will a combination of Rudy Gay and Darrel Arthur. This team with maybe, Stephen Curry or Ty Lawson could make some waves if they continue to improve, with OJ as they’re number one option on offence. I’d give it four years.

Kevin Love, F, Minnesota Timberwolves

Grade: A-

Love is doing what he knows how to do in Minnesota, work his ass off, which became his calling card at UCLA, and still end up losing (albeit losing in the Final Four is a bit better than losing seven of eight games in the NBA. Hey, at least he’s making money). Minnesota is terrible, but every highlight I’ve watched with Kevin Love shows him picking up tough boards and putting them back for two. It’s really too bad for Kevin that he was traded to Minnesota, because this is the type of player a good team needs, as his hard work would light a fire under the ass of any slacking star PF. If this team could pick up a few more players down the road, including a true center and point guard, they could be something to reckon with.