pursuitofhappiness

The 2011-2012 NBA Season is already at the quarter point of about 16-17 games played from most teams.

This class of rookies is surprisingly better than I thought. Here’s my rookie rankings so far for the season, in terms of their production and how much they contribute to the overall team.

1A. Ricky Rubio.

This kid can ball. Averaging 11 PPG, 8.3 APG, 4.6 RPG and 2.4 SPG, Minnesota is at a 7-9 record, with this kid now handling the ball more than the other starting PG, Frodo Baggins. His shooting % is abysmal, but I think it will improve as the season goes on. Always thought he was all YouTube hype, but a combination of Rubio and Derrick Williams will have a bright future. Beasley must be moved.

1B. Kyrie Irving.

The Cavs have fallen to 6-9 after a 3 game losing streak. But in a weaker East, they still have a chance to make the playoffs as a bottom seed. They are currently tied for the 7th seed right now, along with the Bucks and the Celtics. Not bad company. Averaging 17.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 4.9 APG, he’s proven to be a good first overall pick. He’s not LeBron, but he’s confident and he can ball.

Irving and Rubio are top tier candidates for Rookie of the Year as of now.

Here’s the rest.

3. MarShon Brooks

15.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG

He’s a legitimate starting shooting guard. With the influx of guards that the Nets have, he has shined the most out of them and is now starting after a bunch of different rotations to start the season.

4. Iman Shumpert

12.3PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.6 SPG

As soon as he took over Toney Douglas’s starting spot, this kid started producing. I expect him to be starting at the 2 once Baron Davis returns from injury. Gets a hell of a lot of turnovers, but he’s a natural 2 guard and those turnovers will go down once he isn’t the main ball handler.

5. Kemba Walker

11.4PPG, 3.3RPG, 3.2APG

When he gets minutes, he produces. His averages are pretty low due to how good Augustin has been this season. He has recently been placed as a starter, and he has been putting up nice numbers. The Bobcats are terrible but Augustin is out for a few games, which means Kemba will be the sole starting point guard. I expect him to blow up.

6. Brandon Knight

12.5PPG, 3.5RPG, 3.3APG

Another point guard on another dysfunctional team. Honestly, with the minutes he gets and how bad the Pistons are, I expected his numbers to be a lot higher. He is starting over Rodney Stuckey, and I don’t really know why.

7. Kawhi Leonard

7.8PPG, 5.5RPG, 1.2SPG

Gregg Popovich hates rookies. Kawhi is starting. Means something. Shot doesn’t fall through, but he plays defense and hustles on the boards and does the little things Popovich loves. I smell their new Bruce Bowen.

8. Chandler Parsons

6.9PPG, 5.5RPG, 1TIDPG (Tip-In Dunk) 

Might be a little bit of my homer-ism, as I am a Rockets fan, but this kid is basically on par with Kawhi Leonard. Both are long and lanky, and both play defense well and are hustle players. Only difference with Leonard is that he was a lottery pick, while Parsons was drafted in the second round. He beat out Budinger for the starting 3 spot a few weeks ago, and he’s keeping the job. Good job Morey.

Honorable Mentions: 

Markieff Morris

Needs minutes over Frye. Produces with minutes.

Tristan Thompson

Needs main minutes behind Jamison and Varejao.

Derrick Williams

Wolves need to move Beasley. Williams and Rubio is formidable for future.

Norris Cole

Started off hot, but has cooled down a lot.

Bismack Biyombo

Bobcats are terrible. Achieved a double double in his first start against Dwight Howard. But he’s 6’9” and should be starting at the 4, not the 5. But the 4 spot belongs to Tyrus Thomas.

Jon Leuer

The Bucks’ front court is ugly and full of decent forwards. This kid produces with starter minutes. But so does Drew Gooden. And Ilyasova. And Mbah a Moute.