Eye on the Rookies

Draftnation's Zach Bowers is keeping his eye on the NBA rookies and gives us his Top Five Rookie of the Year canidates and his "Impact Three" rookies.

Top Five

1. OJ Mayo, SG, Memphis Grizzlies (21.0 PPG, 5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.4 STL, .454 FG% .439 3P%)

Mayo had some huge games for the Memphis Grizzlies this past week including 31 point 8 rebound effort against Dallas followed by a 33 point game in Phoenix. He can clearly shoot the ball from outside with a 44% 3 point percentage, but hasn’t gotten to the basket enough (only 25 FT attempts). Memphis fans have to be excited about Mayo, though; who has shown effort on defense and a knack for scoring. Mayo’s huge games have earned him this week’s top spot of the Rookie Ranks.

2. Rudy Fernandez, SG, Portland Trailblazers (14 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 STL, .455 FG% .462 3P%)

Fernandez is a fantastic outside shooter and has taken advantage of that so far this year. He is shooting a great 46% from behind the arc, but what makes him so important to the Blazers is his energy off the bench. He has played great with the second unit and gives the Blazers depth behind Brandon Roy.

3. Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls (17.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.1 STL, .458 FG% .250 3P%)

Rose is receiving 37 minutes per game so it’s clear that even before Kirk Hinrich’s injury Derrick Rose is the point man in Chicago. He should be too. He is scoring almost 18 points a game while shooting a very good percentage. Rose has been very efficient so far and is giving opponents fit by getting to the paint at will where he can finish or kick it out to one of the Bulls many shooters.

4. Marc Gasol, C, Memphis Grizzlies (10.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, .9 APG, 1.0 BLK, .542 FG% .733 FT%)

Talent must run in the Gasol blood because Gasol has been a great surprise so far this season. He doesn’t play like his brother, because he is quite physical in the paint. He had a huge 27-point 16-rebound game against Golden State, but has had trouble against strong frontcourts. Still Gasol is impressing in Memphis where the wins probably won’t come but at least Mayo, Gasol and Rudy Gay are a great future to look forward to.  

5. Michael Beasley, PF, Miami Heat (16.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, .7 STL, .9 BLK .437 FG% .250 3P%)

Beasley can score inside and outside but hasn't utilized his inside game often enough. He has been too willing to take shoot outside jump shots, but it's a good sign that he hasn't taken a 3-point shot in his last four games. Beasley has the ability to climb up this list with improved defense and interior scoring.

Impact Three

These players probably won't win ROY, but they are making a positive impact on their team so we'll give props where props are due.

Luc Richard Mbah Moute, SF, Milwaukee Bucks

Mbah Moute was taken in the second round by the Bucks after they used their lottery pick on another SF, Joe Alexander. Mbah Moute is a “Scott Skiles” guy because he plays hard-nosed defense. His offensive game needs work, but his defense has earned him 26 minutes a game and he will probably maintain those minutes the rest of the season (barring injury). His versatility has been really useful for the Bucks because he can guard any position on the floor.

Mario Chalmers, PG, Miami Heat

Chalmers got 9 steals in one game. That’s a ridiculous number of steals. Dwayne Wade, one of the best ball stealers in the league, must have taught Chalmers a few things about jumping in the passing lanes. He has been quite serviceable as the point guard for the Heat and is an important piece to any playoff run they may go on.

Jason Thompson, PF, Sacramento Kings

                    

Thompson was the surprise pick of the lottery when the Kings selected him 12^th overall. He has shown that he is a very physical forward which is something the Kings are sorely lacking. Now that Brad Miller his minutes and stats will be cut down, but he is still a physical force down low so he will continue to get playing time. He is leading the league right now in offensive rebound percentage at 18.2.