A Look At: Rookies Coming To The Ford Center
Aug 20 2009 3:20PM
Taking a closer look at the Thunder’s 2009-10 schedule, we’ve decided to highlight some of the rookies we’re looking forward to seeing the most this season.
A precursor: the list is guard-heavy, but for good reason. Of the 30 players who were selected in the first round of the June draft, 18 were guards.
While experts believed this draft lacked a surplus of future All-Stars, there was no denying the depth at either guard position, particularly at point guard. Several, in fact, are being groomed as an organization’s point guard of the future, including Jrue Holiday in Philadelphia, Denver’s Ty Lawson, Atlanta’s Jeff Teague, Dallas’ Rodrigue Beaubois, and maybe even Utah’s Eric Maynor and New Orleans’ Darren Collison.
Of course, this is all speculation. There could be a few busts. There’s also sure to be a sleeper or two. Things can happen.
Either way, here we go:
G James Harden, Thunder. He’s a clear no-brainer. The Thunder nabbed Harden with the No. 3 pick, and as head coach Scott Brooks said during Summer League, minutes will have to be earned.
For all the ways Harden can score the ball – with his jumper, off the dribble – it’ll be just as interesting to watch him learn how to get others involved, something Harden has said he prides himself in.
Plus, it’ll be fun just to see the different lineup combinations the Thunder can create with Harden in the mix.
F Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers. Griffin is yet another obvious choice. Who wouldn’t want to see the No.1 overall pick in action, let alone in his hometown?
Plus, who draws the assignment of defending Griffin? Is it Jeff Green? Nick Collison? Someone else? Whoever it is probably won’t be alone.
Some experts predict Griffin is capable of averaging a double-double his rookie season. He was dominant at the Las Vegas Summer League, but that was only Summer League. Wait until he has to go up against players his size or larger with years of experience under them.
Griffin makes only one trip to the Ford Center this season on Nov. 15.
G Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves. Flynn is listed generously at 6-0. But size has never been an issue for this tough-as-nails guard.
And you can bet the Syracuse product will carry a chip on his shoulder his rookie season.
It’s inevitable that critics will continue to point to his height. Throw in the fact he was drafted one pick after the much-hyped Ricky Rubio, another point guard who isn’t likely to play in the NBA this season, and this is a great opportunity for Flynn to take advantage of.
Already, reports out of Minnesota have pegged Flynn as the T-Wolves’ starting point guard on Opening Night. Flynn, who has excelled with dribble-drive penetration, will be learning on the fly this season, much like how Russell Westbrook did last season with the Thunder.
G Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks. Unless you caught him in high school or at the Las Vegas Summer League, chances are this season will be your first time watching Jennings, the No. 10 pick who skipped college to play overseas last season.
Jennings is a pass-first guy (8.2 assists per game in Vegas), loves to play defense (3.6 steals in Vegas) and has blinding speed. Because he received inconsistent minutes in Italy, it’ll be interesting to see what type of role he has with the Bucks from the onset.
Jennings makes one trip to the Ford Center when the Bucks visit on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Watching Jennings matchup against Westbrook, another speedster, should be a delight.
G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors. Everyone knows Curry can shoot, but can he play defense? And can he be a legit NBA point guard? Those answers will come with time.
In the meantime, Curry will be teamed alongside an explosive, slashing guard in Monta Ellis.
While basketball purists would love nothing more than to see Curry light it up from behind the arc with some outrageous shooting binge, let’s just hope it doesn’t happen at the Ford Center.
Curry and the Warriors will make two trips to the Ford Center on Dec. 7 and Jan. 31.
Chances are Curry hasn’t been guarded by a defender of Thabo Sefolosha’s caliber.
F DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs. A second-round pick out of Pittsburgh, Blair has a plethora of talent. He showed much of it during the Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 16.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
Blair was rewarded with a four-year contract, and although there’s no telling what kind of role the rookie will have in Greg Popovich’s system, Blair will have no shortage of guidance in the locker room.
The Spurs’ locker room is full of veterans, from Tim Duncan to Antonio McDyess. It’ll be a great learning environment for Blair.
So whether he’s in the rotation or just playing spot minutes, we’re looking forward to seeing what he does while on the court.
The Spurs will make two trips to the Ford Center this season on Jan. 13 and March 22.
Contact Chris Silva
A precursor: the list is guard-heavy, but for good reason. Of the 30 players who were selected in the first round of the June draft, 18 were guards.
While experts believed this draft lacked a surplus of future All-Stars, there was no denying the depth at either guard position, particularly at point guard. Several, in fact, are being groomed as an organization’s point guard of the future, including Jrue Holiday in Philadelphia, Denver’s Ty Lawson, Atlanta’s Jeff Teague, Dallas’ Rodrigue Beaubois, and maybe even Utah’s Eric Maynor and New Orleans’ Darren Collison.
Of course, this is all speculation. There could be a few busts. There’s also sure to be a sleeper or two. Things can happen.
Either way, here we go:
G James Harden, Thunder. He’s a clear no-brainer. The Thunder nabbed Harden with the No. 3 pick, and as head coach Scott Brooks said during Summer League, minutes will have to be earned.
For all the ways Harden can score the ball – with his jumper, off the dribble – it’ll be just as interesting to watch him learn how to get others involved, something Harden has said he prides himself in.
Plus, it’ll be fun just to see the different lineup combinations the Thunder can create with Harden in the mix.
F Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers. Griffin is yet another obvious choice. Who wouldn’t want to see the No.1 overall pick in action, let alone in his hometown?
Plus, who draws the assignment of defending Griffin? Is it Jeff Green? Nick Collison? Someone else? Whoever it is probably won’t be alone.
Some experts predict Griffin is capable of averaging a double-double his rookie season. He was dominant at the Las Vegas Summer League, but that was only Summer League. Wait until he has to go up against players his size or larger with years of experience under them.
Griffin makes only one trip to the Ford Center this season on Nov. 15.
G Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves. Flynn is listed generously at 6-0. But size has never been an issue for this tough-as-nails guard.
And you can bet the Syracuse product will carry a chip on his shoulder his rookie season.
It’s inevitable that critics will continue to point to his height. Throw in the fact he was drafted one pick after the much-hyped Ricky Rubio, another point guard who isn’t likely to play in the NBA this season, and this is a great opportunity for Flynn to take advantage of.
Already, reports out of Minnesota have pegged Flynn as the T-Wolves’ starting point guard on Opening Night. Flynn, who has excelled with dribble-drive penetration, will be learning on the fly this season, much like how Russell Westbrook did last season with the Thunder.
G Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks. Unless you caught him in high school or at the Las Vegas Summer League, chances are this season will be your first time watching Jennings, the No. 10 pick who skipped college to play overseas last season.
Jennings is a pass-first guy (8.2 assists per game in Vegas), loves to play defense (3.6 steals in Vegas) and has blinding speed. Because he received inconsistent minutes in Italy, it’ll be interesting to see what type of role he has with the Bucks from the onset.
Jennings makes one trip to the Ford Center when the Bucks visit on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Watching Jennings matchup against Westbrook, another speedster, should be a delight.
G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors. Everyone knows Curry can shoot, but can he play defense? And can he be a legit NBA point guard? Those answers will come with time.
In the meantime, Curry will be teamed alongside an explosive, slashing guard in Monta Ellis.
While basketball purists would love nothing more than to see Curry light it up from behind the arc with some outrageous shooting binge, let’s just hope it doesn’t happen at the Ford Center.
Curry and the Warriors will make two trips to the Ford Center on Dec. 7 and Jan. 31.
Chances are Curry hasn’t been guarded by a defender of Thabo Sefolosha’s caliber.
F DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs. A second-round pick out of Pittsburgh, Blair has a plethora of talent. He showed much of it during the Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 16.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
Blair was rewarded with a four-year contract, and although there’s no telling what kind of role the rookie will have in Greg Popovich’s system, Blair will have no shortage of guidance in the locker room.
The Spurs’ locker room is full of veterans, from Tim Duncan to Antonio McDyess. It’ll be a great learning environment for Blair.
So whether he’s in the rotation or just playing spot minutes, we’re looking forward to seeing what he does while on the court.
The Spurs will make two trips to the Ford Center this season on Jan. 13 and March 22.
Contact Chris Silva
