The 2007 NBA draft was filled with rookies ready to make a fantasy impact the coming season. As summer leagues are underway, and rookies are getting their first taste of the NBA game, here are the rookies who look like they will make an impact right away.
THE OBVIOUS
- Greg Oden - Not much needs to be said. He is being groomed as the next great center. I think the improvement of LeMarcus Aldridge will determine more the success of Oden, than Oden himself. Aldridge having a great season will take pressure off of Oden and let him learn the game at his pace.
- Kevin Durant - The Supersonics are now being built around Durant. He should have the best fantasy season of anyone, minus FG% which is going to suffer from all the shots he is going to take.
- Conley Jr. - Memphis wants to run, run, run and Conley will provide that boost. Stoudamire will steal some minutes at some point of the season, but the Grizzlies want to build around Conley and Gasol. On another team, Conley probably wouldn’t have as much impact, but the Grizz have been waiting for a PG for a few years and feel they have their player. Conley plays a lot like Chris Paul, and last time I checked Paul had a pretty good rookie season.
QUESTIONABLE
- Jeff Green is going to get a lot pf PT, but don’t expect big fantasy numbers. He simply doesn’t have a great game for fantasy owners.
- Spencer Hawes - Had a decent summer league showing, but will be playing behind Brad Miller, and they basically have the exact same game. Doesn’t score well enough on his own to steal minutes right away.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY
- Javaris Crittenton - Watch out for this kid. Smush is gone from LA and the PG spot is wide open. All he has to do is bring the ball up and get it to Kobe (if Kobe stays) and he has the talent to score if defenses leave him open. Will need to get used to the triangle offense.
- Glen Big Baby Davis - He was a second rounder, but has a lot more talent than where he was drafted. Went to a team in Boston that needs big bodies who can rebound. If he stays in shape he could really steal more PT than anyone expects in his rookie year.
- Marco Bellinelli - This guy has professional experience, and loves to run and shoot. Where did he end up - Golden State. The only place better may have been Phoenix. In their uptempo offense, anyone that can shoot well can make a fantasy impact. Marco already dropped 30+ in summer leagues games.
BUSTS
- Joakim Noah - On a team with all kinds of offense Noah would fit in perfectly. Only problem is at the time of this post he was playing behind Big Ben and Tyrus Thomas, two other defensive minded players with no offense. Chicago has too many big men of the same mold, and none will excel fantasy wise.
- Nick Young - Has a decent game, but behind Arenas, Caron and Jamison he just won’t be able to contribute the one way he knows how, scoring. Doesn’t have a well rounded game to provide much to the fantasy world if he isn’t scoring. If Caron gets hurt though, look for him on the FA list right away.