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ROOKIE TOP 5
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Rank
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Why
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1. K. Martin
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Blocks, rebs already there
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2. Mike Miller
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Sees minutes, hitting shots
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3. St. Jackson
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Those 10.5 ppg say something
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4. J. Magliore
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Good rebs, shooting
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5. Mo Peterson
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Will be scoring 12-14 soon
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Nov. 30, 2000
Well, we've waited a month to see who the next Elton Brand will be and when a Stevie Francis will step up and star. Heck, last season we had those two and Lamar Odom and Andre Miller and a bunch of other rookies who you could see were stars.
Currently, no rookies are knocking our socks off. Kenyon Martin is good, but he has been a bit of a disappointment with a sub-.400 FG percentage. The No. 2 rookie scorer is Stephen Jackson, who was drafted years ago. Mike Miller and Jamaal Magliore have been OK, but ... this isn't pretty. But, it's still early.
Note that Jackson is not on this list, neither is Khalid El-Amin, Mike Penberthy, Eddie House or Daniel Santiago. This is just a recap of the first round. In future Rookie Reports, we'll alter the format and include everyone.
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FIRST-ROUND AFTER A MONTH
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Pick, Player
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Team, Pos./School
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Grade so far, thoughts
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1. Kenyon Martin
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Nets, PF (Cincinnati)
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Grade: B
We expected more, but for this class, 11 ppg, 7.5 rebs and a ton of blocks is Michael Jordan-like.
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2. Stromile Swift
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Grizzlies, PF (LSU)
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Grade: D
The No. 2 pick is averaging 4.6 ppg? And 1.8 boards? Lame. Grizz stink, so just play the guy!
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3. Darius Miles
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Clips, SG (E. St.L HS)
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Grade: B-
Has shown signs at least, of being a future McGrady. Blocks shots, and time is increasing.
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4. Marcus Fizer
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Bulls, SF (Iowa State)
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Grade: B-
He's not starting, and he's shooting horribly (.366 FG), but it's clear he can play.
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5. Mike Miller
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Magic, SF (Florida)
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Grade: B
The No. 2 scorer of this class, he plays with Hill and McGrady out. And he can shoot the ball.
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6. DerMarr Johnson
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Hawks, SG (Cincinnati)
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Grade: C
So far, disappointing. Hawks need him to play minutes, but he's not ready (.378 FG).
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7. Chris Mihm
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Cavs (from Bulls), C (Texas)
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Grade: C
We'd like to see more of him, but Cavs are winning and Ilgauskas has played. A good shooter.
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8. Jamal Crawford
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Bulls (from Cavs), PG (Michigan)
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Grade: C-
Bulls are so, so bad, and he's not playing. Maybe the .226 FG in 9 games is why.
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9. Joel Przybilla
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Bucks (from Rockets), C (Minnesota)
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Grade: C
Apparently, he wasn't ready, either. He brings no offense at all, and isn't blocking shots.
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10. Keyon Dooling
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Clips (from Magic), PG (Missouri)
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Grade: C
Jeff McInnis is still the man for L.A. Hey, not all Clipper starters can be rookies.
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11. Jerome Moiso
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Celtics, PF (UCLA)
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Grade: D
Played in five games, and didn't do a thing. Pitino's not going to play him.
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12. Etan Thomas
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Mavs, PF (Syracuse)
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Grade: N/A
Hasn't played yet, no telling if/when he will. Might spend half the year on "injured list."
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13. Courtney Alexander
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Mavs (from Magic), SG (Fresno State)
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Grade: B-
Has showed some signs of being a player, but playing time isn't there yet.
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14. Mateen Cleaves
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Pistons, PG (Michigan State)
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Grade: B-
Should be beating out Chucky Atkins any day now, Still, he's a bit raw and needs to pass more.
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15. Jason Collier
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Rockets (from Bucks), C (Ga. Tech)
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Grade: B-
When Kelvin Cato went down, he had to play. And he played pretty well (5.5 ppg, .778 FT)
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16. Hidayet Turkoglu
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Kings, SG (Turkey)
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Grade: C
They've found some time for the guy, and he can shoot. But will the minutes be there in a month?
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17. Desmond Mason
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Sonics, SG (Okla. State)
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Grade: C
Very disappointing. Was starting, now barely playing. Couldn't shoot at all, but showed all-around skills.
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18. Quentin Richardson
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Clips, SG (DePaul)
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Grade: B-
Get ready for this kid to rise; Clips made room for him and Miles with nesby trade, Q looks more ready.
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19. Jamaal Magliore
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Hornets, C (Kentucky)
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Grade: B
For where he was picked, a real steal. Giving Bugs nice minutes, can block and rebound and shoot well.
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20. Speedy Claxton
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76ers, PG (Hofstra)
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Grade: N/A
We'll have to wait a year to see, after he blew out his knee in the preseason.
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21. Morris Peterson
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Raptors, SG (Mich. State)
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Grade: B
Averaging 8.5 points and ready to be a double-digit scorer right now.
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22. Donnell Harvey
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Mavs (from Knicks), SF (Florida)
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Grade: N/A
Mavs have too many players, and this guy is caught in numbers game.
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23. DeShawn Stevenson
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Jazz, SG (Wash. Union HS)
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Grade: C
Started a few games, but isn't nearly ready; Has tools to be a star, though.
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24. Dalibor Bagaric
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Bulls, C (Croatia)
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Grade: N/A
Has played in two games and shown nothing. Bulls do need him to play.
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25. Iakovos Tsakalidis
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Suns, C (Greece)
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Grade: C
Has hit his shots, but hasn't taken many. Suns would like to be patient with him.
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26. Mamadou N'diaye
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Nuggets, C (Auburn)
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Grade: N/A
On injured list with a groin problem. Might step in when he's healthy.
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27. Primoz Brezec
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Pacers, C (Slovenia)
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Grade: N/A
Strictly for down the line, a few years down the line.
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28. Erick Barkley
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Blazers, PG (St. John's)
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Grade: N/A
Yes, he made the team, but no, he's not taking Anthony's minutes.
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29. Mark Madsen
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Lakers, PF (Stanford)
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Grade: C
Has seen action in 12 games, which is great, but he's not doing much.
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ALSO SEE
Rookie Report 2000: The new class
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