Rookie guards taking different paths to get to the point

An NBA Draft that saw a classic big man taken as the first overall selection -- no surprise there -- is gradually being shaped by a handful of smaller guys who intend to make a point.

While Blake Griffin tries to overcome a troublesome kneecap, along with a more serious issue -- the dreaded Clippers' curse -- rookie point guards are the rage. Eleven were taken in the first round, four are starting and six are getting rotation minutes in the very early season, which isn't a particularly common sight.

But because most were drafted by developing teams with nothing on the line and nothing to lose, these rookies are getting the benefit of learning on the job and making their mistakes now, rather than in two or three years when their teams might be in position to win.

It's a mixed bag. Teams must live with the errors and growing pains and hope their fans buy into the notion that better days lie ahead. But if you're the Kings, there's nothing to lose by giving Tyreke Evans the ball and watching him turn it over on one possession, and hitting a big 3-pointer on the next.

Maybe by March, he and the others won't look like rookies anymore. That's the thinking, anyway. Here's a quick look at each, and their situation:

Tyreke Evans, Kings (drafted No. 4): Now he's limping on a bum ankle, but before twisting it, Evans was pretty much as advertised, pre-Draft. He's high-risk, high-reward who'll do something to help the Kings win or lose. They'll take that for now, because Evans brings much, in terms of size (6-foot-6) and skills, for the position and the future.

The competition for minutes will be good for Evans, who watched Beno Udrih work magic in the fourth quarter and overtime Monday against the Grizzlies. That's the take-charge role the Kings envision for Evans, once his ankle heals and his confidence soars.

Jonny Flynn, Timberwolves (6): After an eye-opening debut with 18 points against the Nets, Flynn has seen his minutes cut short. Not by Ricky Rubio, the fellow point guard draftee who stayed in Europe, but by Ramon Sessions, who saw much of the floor time late in the Wolves' 93-90 loss to the Clippers on Monday. Flynn's assists-to-turnover ratio has taken a dive since the opener -- not surprising for a rookie -- and for the moment anyway, he'll split time with Sessions.

Flynn still needs to prove he's a true point guard who thinks pass first, even on a team that needs scoring. Until then, Sessions will assume some of the load, and may even be Mr. Fourth Quarter for now.

Steph Curry, Warriors (7): In addition to getting more playing time than any rookie point guard, he's leading the Warriors in assists and steals, two areas that were questionable for him prior to the Draft. So that's a positive sign for one of the country's top scorers the last two years. Not a volume shooter yet (he's taking only 10 shots a game), you get the feeling that once Curry becomes the first or second option, the Warriors will get the player they drafted. Because of a quick release and deadly accuracy, Curry has the basic tools to be a 20-point scorer in the league and a decent distributor.

Funny how that's working out. Because of Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette, Curry must work on his point guard skills, which are needed far more than his scoring at the moment. In the long run, this can only help him form an all-around game.

Brandon Jennings, Bucks (10): Small size, thin frame, big game. Jennings nearly notched a triple-double against the Sixers. He was a bit of a mystery around Draft day because he's two years removed from high school, and while he played overseas last year, his numbers weren't exactly stellar. And yet, right away, the Bucks knew they had someone special. He entered the second week leading all rookies in scoring and assists while second in rebounds and steals. His entertainment value is high as well; Jennings brings all the ball-handling and passing tricks. And he just turned 20.

He has two issues. One: Other than Michael Redd, the Bucks don't have many scoring options, so Jennings will watch a handful of potential assists die as teammates fumble passes or blow open looks. Two: He'll be challenged defensively, especially by bigger point guards, who won't hesitate to post up a player who's built like licorice.

One big plus is playing for Scott Skiles, who knows a thing or two about running a team.

Ty Lawson, Nuggets (18): Was named winner of the Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation's top point guard, and ACC Player of the Year, and yet saw seven point guards drafted higher. Including Gerald Henderson, an ACC rival with lesser credentials. That had to hurt.

But it hardly matters now. Lawson has overcome major questions about his size (5-foot-11) with toughness and smarts and an unwillingness to make mistakes. He's getting nearly 20 minutes a night, learning at the knee of Chauncey Billups and playing on a winning team, three advantages that most of the other rookie point guards don't have.

Of the other point guards taken in the first round, only Jeff Teague figures to get much time this season. The Hawks are high on Teague, who saw heavy minutes in a promising preseason and will help preserve starter Mike Bibby for the long run.

Shaun Powell is a veteran NBA writer and columnist. You can e-mail him here.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.