Jan. 9
This week Rookie Report returns to focus on Golden State guard Jason Richardson, putting up nice numbers after a slow start. We are also taking a brief look at some other first-year guys, some doing well and some not.
By the way, Richardson chats on ESPN.com Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
|  | | Richardson's a fine dunker, and is improving his all-around game. |
Background: Is 6-6, 200 pounds. Was drafted No. 5 overall by the Warriors out of Michigan State after sophomore season. He'll turn 21 later this month.
What he's done: The opportunity was certainly there, but he didn't start out great. Was given 26 minutes a game in November and scored 10.2 points on average, but made plenty of mistakes. When the point guard is barely older (Larry Hughes) that's bad news. Alas, Richardson, a bit of a surprise with the No. 5 pick when seemingly more established players were available, has gotten better. Still a bit one dimensional, he's scoring more and earning as many minutes as every Warrior but Antawn Jamison. Richardson's offense and defense have improved. In December he shot better pumped in a season-best 24 points against Seattle a few days prior to Christmas. Late in that game he stole an inbounds pass, went the length of the court, made the layup and the ensuing foul shot to tie the score, showing flashes of why he was drafted so high. He's now scoring in double figures regularly (12 of the last 13 games) although he's stopped rebounding the ball.
What he's not done: He's young, and the Warriors are committed to giving him time. Golden State hasn't won since Dec. 26 (against the Lakers, believe it or not) and Richardson is getting plenty of shots, though he's hitting only .379 percent of them in January. Defensively, he's averaging more than a steal a game and has the size to defend shooting guards. Richardson is athletic and with a natural point guard alongside him would get better shots and probably thrive. For now, he's still doing just fine.
Statistically speaking: Only two rookies (the Grizzlie pair of Pau Gasol and Shane Battier) are scoring more points (11.0 ppg), and Richardson is eighth in rebounding and sixth in steals.
Richardson says: "I think it is harder when you join a team that is struggling. They put a lot of pressure on you, but you can't let the pressure get to you. You just have to try and put it behind you and perform. Just because you are a rookie, doesn't mean you can't help the team out as much as you can. Whatever it is, whether it's scoring, defense, whatever. You have to find a way to help your team get victories."
Our final word: The Warriors aren't going to the playoffs, we're pretty certain of that. So why not give Richardson 35 minutes a night and see what he does? We'd like to see the rook do more than just shoot, like try to crash the boards a bit and develop some range in his shot, but early returns are positive. He could end up averaging in the 13-point range and there's no reason to think he can't improve it in the future with his athleticism and ability to finish.
Other rookies on our mind this week:
| PLAYER |
THE SKINNY |
Andrei Kirilenko, F, Jazz |
He's not Dirk Nowitzki, but watch out, the kid can play. The Jazz is playing games with his minutes, though, and it's hard to tell why. A legit small forward at 6-9 and 210, Kirilenko can run the floor and defend already, and he's working on his shot. He averaged 11.1 points a game in December and better than two blocks, which plenty of size-starved teams could use. There's no room for major minutes with Karl Malone and Donyell Marshall around, but the 24th pick in the 1999 draft is a keeper. He's 20 and approaching breakout status. |
| Richard Jefferson, G/F, Nets |
He's a different player than Eddie Griffin, but Jefferson is proving to be a valuable contributor to first-place Jersey. With Kenyon Martin getting himself suspended a few times, Jefferson has filled in ably. In three starts he averaged 14.7 points and 7 boards, and off the bench he gets a solid 21 minutes a night and surely plays a key role. He's more mature than Griffin, and won't block five shots a game or fire up crazy threes at bad times. Instead, he has the Nets thinking that Keith Van Horn, revived or not, would be nice trade bait this summer. |
| Tony Parker, PG, Spurs |
We checked up on Parker in December and said his future was looking real good, and it is. However, Parker has regressed since then and you have to wonder if he's going to be the starting point guard in a playoff series with a Lakers or Kings team. While mature, Parker is very inconsistent (hey, he's only 19) and the Spurs are using another TP in more minutes: 80-year-old Terry Porter. Parker's points, assists, steals and rebounds were all down in December, and his minutes are down in January. He has 12 assists in four games as well. Parker won't be the rookie of the year but his long-term potential, especially with a strong Spurs team, is good. |
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