Rookie Predictions (1-10)

With the NBA season around the corner I figured I'd let you know what each first rounder is going to do in their rookie season. We'll start with the first 10 picks...

1st Pick - Greg Oden, Blazers
Oden is out for the year so it looks like he'll have to hold himself up on crutches on leverage himself between a wall and a brunette. Either way the Blazers fans went from believing they could make the post season this year to realizing that Oden will be out for the season and Roy might miss some games because of the same heel that kept him out some games last year. Looking on the bright side, this will force Channing Frye, LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster and Travis Outlaw to step up and hopefully realize their potential. Also, another lottery pick for this team might be scary if their role players get some experience this year. (Random: Kevin Prichard and Paul Allen- Great Job)

2nd Pick - Kevin Durant, Sonics
Durant has to be lickin' his chops with Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis shots up for grabs. Wally will try to take some of those but Durant is the face of the franchise now. He needs to put one some weight before and during the season. He will be the only rookie to lead his team in shot attempts which basically means he is a shoe-in for Rookie of The Year. He won't have a great FG%, but in my mind, there is no way he averages less than 16 ppg. His numbers/efficiency will increase every month of the season and he'll end up averaging 17.5ppg, 5rpg, 2apg.

3rd Pick - Al Horford, Hawks
Horford is exactly what the Atlanta Hawks need but they won't realize it this year. That's the beauty of the Atlanta Hawks. He is a natural PF but he will play both PF and C this year for the Hawks. The Hawks have been starting Zaza Pachulia who played fairly decent last year but the bottom line is that Horford need to be on the court. Marvin Williams' development, or lack thereof, will determine Horford's playing time. He will definitely be in the rotation so it is save to assume 8ppg, 6rpg, 1.5blocks.

4th Pick - Mike Conley Jr., Grizzlies
The best PG in this class went to the worst situation (actually Aaron Brooks' situation is worse). Damon Stoudamire just refuses to retire, Kyle Lowry is the type of guy who will refuse to let anyone take his minutes and Juan Carlos Navarro is Pau Gasol's best friend and EuroLeague MVP. I think by season's end, Navarro will play more 2 than PG, Stoudamire will be Conley's mentor, and Lowry will be Conley's backup and their defensive specialist. Conley stats won't be impressive but his play will be. He'll end up with 8ppg, 3rpg, 4apg, 2steals. (Random: Check his Pops kill Griffey Jr. and Neon Deion in a dunk contest)

5th Pick - Jeff Green, Sonics
The fact that the Sonics are going to play Durant at the 2 is great for Green. Jeff Green can do everything well so that will help him as the Sonics try to create their identity. Hopefully he will start (Seattle has started almost everyone this preseason) but if he doesn't his minutes will not be much lower. No plays will be ran for Green but he finds himself in the right spot a lot. He is the type of quiet player who you will go to the game, and open the paper the next day and read the box score and realize that he had 16 points and 9 rebounds and only remember a couple of his plays. He'll fit in well with his fellow DC native Durant and chip in with 10ppg, 5rpg, 3.5ass.

6th Pick - Yi Jianlian, Bucks
Unless he can play the 3 a lot better than he has proved it is going to be a long season for Yi. Bogut and Villanueva and productive players in front of him and with Desmond Mason and Michael Redd on the wings, he will not start this year. He needs to learn how to do something else besides score (so does Durant, but Durant is really really really good at scoring). He will average 6ppg and best case scenario shoot 40% from the field. I will not put any other stats in my forecast because it'd embarrass Yi. He's have an even sadder (it is a word) face than the one below.

7th Pick - Corey Brewer, Wolves
I am hoping Kevin McHale starts Foye, Brewer, Davis, Jefferson and anyone. But, Kevin McHale being Kevin McHale might put Telfair at PG, slide Foye to the 2 and there goes a lot of Brewer's minutes. This is a guy who didn't play Randy Foye until the second half of the season. If he starts who I think he should start, then Telfair (1), Jaric (1,2), McCants(2,3) , Gomes (3), Green(2,3) and Smith (3,4) will be coming off the bench. By the end of the year I am predicting Ricky Davis will be moved freeing up some more minutes for Brewer but since he isn't the type of guy to demand minutes or pout if he's not playing a lot, he'll play well when he does play and chip in with 6.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 2ass, 2 steals.

8th Pick - Brendan Wright, Warriors
Horrible situation. First of all, the Warriors didn't/don't even want this guy. They got rid of Richardson for cap space and because they picked up Marco Belinelli. Brendan Wright was a guy Kevin McHale publicly said he liked so he was acquired as trade bait. But now, the Warriors are stuck with him. I don't think he's ready for the NBA anyways. Don Nelson only likes one non-shooter on the court at all times. Ideally, he likes 5 shooters. With Baron Davis, Troy Hudson, Monta Ellis, Marco Belinelli, Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes, Mickael Pietrus and Al Harrington on the team (8 shooters)... at least 4 of them will be on the court at all times. That leaves one non-shooter on the court, sometimes! Wright, Andris Biedrins, and Patrick O'Brian will rotate as the 5th player on the court. Taking all this into consideration along with the fact that zero plays will be ran for him, 3.5ppg, 3rpg are pretty accurate forecasts.

9th Pick - Joakim Noah, Bulls
Because he is a Scott Skiles type of guy, this is a great fit for Noah. He will be in the rotation and be the first "big" off the bench. I also see him playing a lot in the 4th quarter because of Big Ben's free throw problems. He is going to average 7ppg, 6 rpg, and 2blocks.

10th Pick - Spencer Hawes, Kings
Nice team for him to go to even though he's going to have to get a Mac Dre T Shirt and throw out that Dipset BS. Big men need to be brought along like NFL Quarterbacks. Playing behind a skinnier Brad Miller, and in a rotations with Abdul-Rahim, Kenny Thomas and Mikki Moore, Hawes will see very few minutes this year even though the Sacramento organization is very high on him and plan on building around him and Kevin Martin. Depending on his progression his stats could be higher, but for now I'm thinking 5ppg, 3rpg, 1block.

Check back in a few days and I will break down the next 10 picks. This was a very deep draft and I'll predict the guard in the middle of the first round will flourish while there is a Big Man with NBDL on his forehead.