Mavs' rookies make good first impressions amongst their peers
Earl K. Sneed writes that the Dallas Mavericks' rookie crop of Jared Cunningham, Bernard James and Jae Crowder made a good first impression to their peers, as seen in the results of the Rookie Survey.
Mavs' rookies make good first impressions amongst their peers
This week the Dallas Mavericks’ rookie class got its second dose of NBA life, following up a 4-1 record in the Las Vegas Summer League with the league’s annual Rookie Photo Shoot in New York.
And it was there that first-rounder Jared Cunningham and second-rounders Bernard James and Jae Crowder got to know the first-year pros that they’ll be judged against this upcoming season.
But in addition to seminars over their new lifestyle, the rookies were also able to hang loose and get to know each other away from the competition of the court. And in NBA.com’s Fourth Annual Rookie Survey, the three newcomers to Big D got to see just what their peers across the league think of their respective games.
Both Cunningham and Crowder tied for third in the survey for most overlooked rookies, also finishing in a tie for fifth in the category for best defender.
Praised for his athleticism when the Mavs traded back from No. 17 to No. 24 to take him, Cunningham tied for fourth as the most athletic rookie, as judged by his peers. The combo guard also received votes for the best playmaker in the 2012 class, finishing out of the top 5 as did Crowder, who showed off his playful side while receiving votes for the funniest rookie.
Meanwhile, James received votes for the rookie most likely to go on to have the best career, as well as the most overlooked, but didn't finish in the top 5.
That should serve the unassuming new additions just fine come the start of the regular season, when they’ll have a chance to let their play on the court make more lasting impressions.
