The Roberts Roundball Report

2009 NBA Rookie Watch (Dec. 16th)

Budinger was impressive in his last start.

Tyreke Evans officially moves past Brandon Jennings as the top rookie player of the 2009 class, as he’s been the best example of a “complete” player so far in this young NBA season.
1. Tyreke Evans, PG, Sacramento Kings

Stats: 35.9 MPG, 20 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 25% 3PT, 47% FG, 77% FT

Evans has been by far the most dominant rookie this year, and surpasses Jennings to claim to the top spot in our rookie rankings. Evans makes an impact in every facet of the game, and is currently on pace to join LeBron James, Oscar Robertson, and Michael Jordan as the only rookie to average 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists for an entire season.

He’s still a long way from pulling it off, and his numbers will undoubtedly be impacted by the return of Kevin Martin, but his production still cannot be ignored.

2. Brandon Jennings, PG, Milwaukee Bucks

Stats: 35.8 MPG, 21.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 44% 3PT, 41% FG, 80% FT

Jennings has played with a knee injury for the past week, but has continued to play at a high level. The rookie point guard has scored at least 17 points in four straight games, while still averaging elite percentages across the board on the season.

He needs to pick up his defensive game and hit the boards to match up wth Tyreke Evans if he wants to supplant him for the top spot in the rankings, but after Jennings, there is a huge drop-off in production and talent in this rookie class.

3. Jonny Flynn, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves

Stats: 29.4 MPG, 14.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 35% 3PT, 43% FG, 79% FT

While Flynn has been struggling with consistency lately, he definitely deserves to be third in these rankings, especially after his career night on December 14th.

Flynn scored a career high 28 points in a victory for the Timberwolves, in which he dished out five assists, and also scored the game-winning lay-up with three seconds to go.

4. Omri Casspi, SF, Sacramento Kings

Stats: 23.5 MPG, 10.9 PPG, 4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 49% 3PT, 52% FG, 50% FT

Casspi has been playing extremely solid the past four games, scoring at least 14 points in three of those games. While Casspi doesn’t do any “one” thing that blows you away, he has excellent fundamentals and shoots great percentages (except for free throws), while scoring almost 11 points per game on the season.

He’s also very active on the defense end, and continues to play a significant role in the Kings’ rotation.

5. Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors

Stats: 32 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 37% 3PT, 44% FG, 82% FT

Curry is playing at a decent level on the offensive side of the ball, and has been very smart with his shot selection, giving him solid percentages, and also allowing him to assist his teammates in scoring nearly five times per game.

His defense has been what surprises people about him the most, however, as he’s averaging almost two steals per game and usually does a solid job on the opposing guards. Still, Curry was drafted to make the Warriors offense go, while add a scoring punch. He simply hasn’t done that at an elite level, and rests at number five in these rankings.

6. Taj Gibson, PF, Chicago Bulls

Stats: 24.7 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 0.6 APG, 1.1 BPG, 49% FG, 51% FT

Gibson has quietly emerged as the most consistent and impressive rookie big man this year. While DeJuan Blaire and others have been impressive, Gibson has shot the ball very well for a rookie, and leads all rookies in rebounds per game, while also chipping in a block per game.

He’s had at least 11 rebounds or points in four of his last five games, and is slowly becoming a dependable option in the post on both ends of the floor.

7. Jonas Jerekbo, F, Detroit Pistons

Stats: 27.8 MPG, 8.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 28% 3PT, 47% FG, 68% FT

Jerekbo simply makes the offense flow better when in the game, as he has the ability to shoot outside, and also can take it in and shoot good percentages near the paint.

He’s a little-known player, but he’s been playing at a high level and getting nearly 30 minutes per game on the floor with the Pistons.

8. Ty Lawson, PG, Denver Nuggets

Stats: 20.4 MPG, 8 PPG, 2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 48% 3PT, 50% FG, 78% FT

Lawson’s season numbers are still solid enough to keep him in the rankings, especially when you consider that he’s a back-up, yet plays at a high level in a strong conference and strokes the bal extremely well.

The only thing not to like about Lawson is his lack of playing time, as he’s seen his minutes drop in recent weeks.

9. Chase Budinger, SF, Houston Rockets

Stats: 19.3 MPG, 8.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 33% 3PT, 42% FG, 72% FT

Budinger for the first start of his career with Trevor Ariza serving a one-game suspension on Tuesday, and did not disappoint. Even with the return of Tracy McGrady, Budinger logged 40 minutes, and recorded his first career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Budinger’s athleticism, shooting, and hustle should keep him averaging close to 19-20 minutes per game, but with Ariza back for Houston’s next game and McGrady working himself back into the rotation, Budinger could have a short stay in the top ten rookie rankings.

10. Tyler Hansbrough, PF, Indiana Pacers

Stats: 17.1 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 39% FG, 71% FT

Hansbrough’s season numbers aren’t off the charts (especially his shooting percentages), but compared to his other rookie counterparts, he’s producing at a high level with the minutes he’s getting. With center Roy Hibbert continuously in foul trouble, Hansbrough has logged at least 21 minutes in five straight games.

In those five games, the former Tar Hell has put up solid numbers, topping 19 points in two of his last three, and grabbing six or more rebounds in three of the five contests. With Jeff Foster missing Wednesday night’s action, Hansbrough should once again be in line for some major action.

Honorable Mentions: James Harden, Jrue Holiday, Wesley Matthews, DeJuan Blair