By: David Kay
Welcome to a weekly feature here at the The Sports Bank where we break down the top rookies in the NBA and who has the edge to win the Rookie of the Year Award. Check back every Thursday for an update.
The 2009 NBA Draft was dubbed “The Point Guard Draft” and now we are seeing why. The top five players on my Rookie of the Year Race run the point. Here are the updated Rookie of the Year Race Standings:
1. Brandon Jennings, Bucks (Last Week Ranking: #1)
’09-’10: 21.5 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.9 rpg, 1.2 spg
My ’09-’10 Prediction: 12 ppg, 7 apg, 2 spg
Jennings has really struggled shooting the ball during the past week (32% in his last four games.) He is still doing a nice job of finding teammates even though the Bucks have cooled off, losing five of their last six.
2. Tyreke Evans, Kings (LWR: #2)
’09-’10: 19.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.25 spg
My ’09-’10 Prediction: 17.0 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg, 2 spg
Evans continues to produce as I expected him to in his rookie season. With injuries to Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia, Evans has been one of the main reasons Sacramento is off to a surprising 9-8 start.
3. Jonny Flynn, Timberwolves (LWR: #4)
’09-’10: 14.3 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1 spg
My ’09-’10 Prediction: 15 ppg, 7 apg, 1.75 spg
Flynn is still holding onto the starting job in Minnesota despite Ramon Sessions outplaying him on some nights. He cut back on his turnovers during the past week which has been a major issue in the first part of his rookie season.
4. Stephen Curry, Warriors (LWR: #3)
’09-’10: 10.2 ppg, 5.4 apg, 3.1 rpg, 1.5 spg
My ’09-’10 Prediction: 12 ppg, 4 apg, 3 rpg
Curry has yet to really light up the scoreboard like he did so often at Davidson, yet he continues to see heavy minutes for Golden State. I can’t help but wonder how better he would be suited playing somewhere else and not in the same backcourt as Monta Ellis.
Check out then entire Rookie of the Year Rankings.