Print RSS Feeds FastBreak Tix

September 30, 2008

MILWAUKEE -- Bucks.com's Truman Reed is presenting a series of articles leading up to the 2008-09 National Basketball Association season. This series concludes with a two-part segment by conference on those rookies who will have the most impact on their teams and the face of the NBA.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1 - Kevin Love
(drafted #5 in first round by Memphis Grizzlies, rights traded to Minnesota Timberwolves)

Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale made one of the shrewder moves of draft week, selecting University of Southern California guard O.J. Mayo with the third pick, then trading his draft rights for the draft rights for Love and getting veteran shrapshooter Mike Miller in the deal.

The 6-10 Love, listed at 271 pounds in at least one draft profile, averaged 17.3 points and 10.6 rebounds in his one collegiate season at UCLA, shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 76.5 percent from the foul line. Even before becoming a member of McHale's team, Love drew comparisons to the Hall-of-Famer for his advanced fundamentals, post moves and basketball IQ.

Love will have to learn many of the NBA ropes just like the rest of his rookie class, but will immediately be one of the league's best and strongest outlet passers. He and Miller should complement Al Jefferson and give the young Timberwolves instant diversity as they continue their emergence.

2 - O.J. Mayo
(drafted #3 in first round by Minnesota Timberwolves, rights traded to Memphis Grizzlies)

Mayo's point production -- in quantity if not quality -- should put him atop this year's rookie class, in part because he should get substantially more shooting opportunities than any other first-year player.

When the Grizzles obtained Mayo's rights in their draft-day deal with Minnesota, he arguably became the best player on their roster, which has seen Pau Gasol and Mike Miller subtracted from it during the past year.

Mayo followers have been waiting to see what he can do in the NBA since watching him, as a 12- and 13-year-old, dominate games against players five years older. Following a prolific prep career that took him from Kentucky to Ohio and back to his native West Virginia, he averaged 20.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his lone season of college hoops at the University of Southern California.

Difficult to stop on the drive and as a perimeter threat, the 6-5, 200 Mayo has been projected as a point guard, but some believe he's a more natural "2." He may begin his pro career at shooting guard since the Grizzles have three lead guards on their roster in Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry and Javaris Crittenton.

3 - Rudy Fernandez
(drafted #24 in first round by Phoenix in 2007, rights traded to Portland)

The highly-touted "2" guard joined the Trail Blazers last June following his seventh pro season in Spain.

Fernandez, 6-6 and 200 pounds, received a hero's welcome in Portland, where over 100 fans turned out at the airport when he arrived for his introductory press conference.

He scored 22 points for Spain's Olympic team against the United States in the gold-medal game in Beijing, which the U.S. team won, 118-107.

The 23-year-old Fernandez, whose long-range shooting, slashing ability and hoops IQ have drawn comparisons to Manu Ginobili's from several scouts, has spent the past seven seasons competing for DKV Joventut Badalona of the Spanish ACB League. Last season, he averaged 21.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.2 steals for that squad, which won both the ULEB Cup and the Copa del Rey.

4 - Russell Westbrook
(drafted #4 in first round by Seattle Super Sonics {Oklahoma City Thunder)

Unlike Mayo, Westbrook won't be expected to put up monster numbers in his first NBA campaign, but he can still be an impact player for the Thunder.

A sturdy 6-3 with a wide wingspan, Westbrook saw time at both guard spots during the one season in which he received substantial minutes at UCLA. Scouts liked his quickness, his hops and his ability to defend both points and 2s. He was the Pac 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2007-08.

Some of them have compared Westbrook favorably to Rajon Rondo, who in his rookie season became a vital member of the world champion Boston Celtics. Like Rondo, Westbrook isn't regarded as a pure shooter, but he can score when called upon.

His development as a playmaker will determine how quickly the young OKC squad improves.

5 - Eric Gordon
(drafted #7 in first round by Los Angeles Clippers)

Gordon may need some time to find his niche in the NBA. Some consider him too short, at 6-4, to play shooting guard, and he has not consistently exhibited the ballhandling and leadership skills required to play the point.

During his one season of college ball at Indiana University, though, the Indianapolis native displayed both NBA shooting range and the athleticism and strength to take the ball to the hole through a crowd. He draws a lot of fouls and shoots better than 83 percent from the free-throw line.

Gordon was an instant contributor in college, averaging 20.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists and playing solid defense for a freshman. Since the Clippers signed free agents Baron Davis and Ricky Davis and return Cuttino Mobley, they won't have to force-feed Gordon.

6 - Jerryd Bayless
(drafted #11 in first round by Indiana Pacers, rights traded to Portland Trail Blazers)

Bayless isn't the pure point guard Portland management went looking for during the off-season, but the Trail Blazers seized the opportunity to acquire his draft rights from Indiana in exchange for the No. 13 pick, point guard Jarrett Jack and forward Josh McRoberts.

More of a "2" guard than a "1," Bayless nonetheless played with a great deal of poise in his freshman season at the University of Arizona. He put up 19.7 points and handed out 4 assists per game. The 6-3, 199-pounder also shot better than 40 percent from 3-point distance and sank almost 84 percent of his foul shots.

Like Gordon, Bayless is equally adept at draining the perimeter jumper or soaring to the hoop and finishing, and he has shown that he's a willing defender. He will need to add some muscle in order to capably defend the NBA's bigger, stronger backcourt men.

7 - Anthony Randolph
(drafted #14 in first round by Golden State Warriors)

Versatility may have been the greatest asset the Warriors saw in Randolph when they made him the 14th pick in the draft.

Rangy enough to play the low post at 6-11 and 220 with willowy arms, Randolph has also shown enough ballhandling skills and shooting proficiency to play the mid-range game as well.

During his one year at Louisiana State University, the Dallas native averaged 15.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. His wingspan was one of the widest in the draft class, and it enabled him to block better than two shots per game at the collegiate level.

An explosive runner and leaper for his height, Randolph will need to build both physical and mental toughness to reach the heights some have predicted for him. He showed some advanced skills in his transition from high school to college, but his next step up will be a more challenging one.

8 - Kosta Koufos
(drafted #23 in first round by Utah Jazz)

In his one season at The Ohio State University, the 7-foot, 250-pound Koufos ranked fifth in the Big Ten Conference in scoring (14.4 ppg) and rebounding (6.7 rpg), second in blocked shots (1.8 bpg) and seventh in field-goal percentage (.508). He was named third-team all-Big Ten and chosen most valuable player of the 2008 MasterCard Postseason NIT.

If Koufos had stayed in college for another year, he would have projected as a top-10 pick in 2009, so the Jazz could have a steal getting him at No. 23.

A 2007 McDonald's All-American who played his high school hoops in Ohio, he averaged 25.9 points, 15.4 rebounds and 5.2 blocked shots as a senior and was named the state's Division I Player of the Year. He posesses both an accurate mid-range jumper and advanced post-up skills.

9 - Jason Thompson
(drafted #12 in first round by Sacramento Kings)

Thompson's draft position may have been the biggest surprise of the first round. Most draft analysts had him going toward the end of round one, but the Kings took a flyer on him at No. 12.

The 6-11, 250 forward/center averaged 20.1 points and 12.4 rebounds as a senior, but many scouts wondered how significant those totals were considering Thompson played for Rider University in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Other scouts, however, liked his strong frame, long arms and post skills, and believe he has substantial upside, particularly as a shot-blocker.

Thompson's upside should be compelling to monitor. He grew almost a foot over a span of four teenage years, and has added 4 more inches to his frame since then.

10 - Donte Greene
(drafted #28 in first round by Memphis, rights traded to Houston Rockets and then Sacramento Kings)

Most believe Greene left the college ranks too early (after one season), but few doubt his natural talent. If he can add maturity to his skills, he could rank as another major steal in this draft.

Like Orlando's Rashard Lewis, the 6-10, 230 Greene is a sharp perimeter shooter -- another new-age "4" man. He didn't take long to flash his promise, scoring 40 points in his summer-league debut.

He led Syracuse University in scoring at 17.7 ppg and grabbed 7.2 rebounds per outing and was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team.