Eye On The Rookies: OJ Mayo Takes Over

Draftnation's Zach Bowers takes a look at the 2009 Rookie Class and gives his "Top Five". He also lists the rookies who won't win ROY, but are making an impact on their team in his "Impact Three".

Top Five

1. OJ Mayo, SG, Memphis Grizzlies- Mayo finally eclipsed Derrick Rose in our rookie rankings because of five 20 point games and limited turnovers. Neither the Grizzlies or the Bulls are playing well (2-8 and 3-7 in their last 10 games respectively), but Mayo's three point shooting, 11/23 in his last three games, puts him over Rose.


2. Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls- Rose had a bad game on the road against Cleveland (most people struggle there) which hurts his stock this week. Otherwise he has been the same old Rose, but Mayo gets the nod this week.


3. Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder- John Hollinger made some "under the radar predictions" which included this:
   

   "Player A: 37.3 min., 16.3 pts., 6.2 ast., 45.9 FG%, 13.58 PER
   
   Player B: 36.4 min., 17.7 pts., 3.8 ast., 43.8 FG%, 14.03 PER
   
   Player C: 33.1 min., 15.5 pts., 5.1 ast., 46.2 FG%, 16.23 PER

   
   

   Player A is Rose in the month of December. Player B is Mayo in the month of December.

   
   

   And Player C, who has more combined points and assists per minute than either Rose or Mayo, a better shooting percentage and a higher Player Efficiency Rating? That would be Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook in the month of December."

   
   Westbrook surged through December after a slow start to the season, unfortunately he plays for the Thunder so his team won't be winning too many games this year.


4. Marc Gasol, C/PF, Memphis Grizzlies- Since our last rankings Gasol has put up seven straight double-digit scoring games. He also had three double-digit rebound games in the same stretch. He has earned his starting spot back and a spot in our rookie rankings.


5. Eric Gordon, SG, Los Angeles Clippers- Three straight 30-point games and two of them were on the road against Dallas and San Antonio. Quite a feat for a rookie: only Allen Iverson has done it before. Gordon is taking over the offense for the depleted Clippers, but still can't get them a win.

Impact Three

1. Kevin Love, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves- Love is starting to get more minutes and has responded with 16, 17, 18 and 19 point games. Unfortunately he also had 0, 5 and 6 point games in the same stretch. His defense and rebound have been solid all year, but he has yet to consistently find his offensive game.


2. Jason Thompson, PF, Sacramento Kings- Defense, defense, defense. Thompson's offensive game isn't great, but he continues to play hard for the Kings every night on both ends of the floor.


3. George Hill, PG, San Antonio Spurs- The difference between Hill and the rest of the rookie's listed here is that he plays for a good team. He knows his role which is back-up Tony Parker and run the offense while he is out. When the Spurs need scoring HIll responds like he did against Miami with 15 points and seven assists off the bench.

Zach Bowers