http://www.nba.com/preview2003/rookies_031016.html Carmelo Anthony, F, Denver Nuggets (No. 3 pick) Stats: 3 GP, 18.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, .500 FG%, .400 3P% Breakdown: Offensive workhorse is looking like the go-to guy the Nuggets hoped he'd be. Ability to go inside and outside makes him a bona fide weapon at the three. Leandrinho Barbosa, G, Phoenix Suns (No. 28) Stats: 4 GP, 7.3 ppg, 2.3 apg, 1.00 spg Breakdown: Speedy Brazilian guard has shown that he can be a solid second-string point for Phoenix. Steve Blake, G, Washington Wizards (No. 38) Stats: 4 GP, 5.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.5 spg Breakdown: Defensive ball-hawk is showing early signs that he could be a solid backup for Gilbert Arenas. Chris Bosh, F, Toronto Raptors (No. 4) Stats: 3 GP, 15.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.33 bpg, .533 FG% Breakdown: After outplaying Darko in their head-to-head matchup on Oct. 12, Bosh looks like he'll be a serious contributor up front in his first season. Boris Diaw, G-F, Atlanta Hawks (No. 21) Stats: 3 GP, 8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.00 spg Breakdown: All-around athleticism should allow this do-everything swingman to give the Hawks valuable minutes off the bench. T.J. Ford, G, Milwaukee Bucks (No. 8) Stats: 4 GP, 8.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.25 spg Breakdown: As predicted, he's struggling with his shot (10-for-30 FGs). Also as predicted, he has speed and penetration skills to burn. Willie Green, G, Philadelphia 76ers (No. 41) Stats: 4 GP, 12.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 5-for-8 3P Breakdown: This athletic second-rounder is looking like one of the steals of the draft. 6-4 shooting guard will put pressure on the Sixers incumbent reserves for minutes off the pine. Josh Howard, F, Dallas Mavericks (No. 29) Stats: 4 GP, 10.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.00 spg, .457 FG% Breakdown: With Antawn Jamison and Michael Finley ahead of him, it'll be tough for Howard to find minutes in Big D. But he's shown that he's capable of contributing when called upon. LeBron James, G, Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 1) Stats: 3 GP, 8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.33 spg, 1.33 bpg Breakdown: Cavs are wisely not putting too much pressure on James to play like a star, so his stats aren't through the roof. But there have been times when his passing and court vision have left spectators shaking their heads. Darko Milicic, F-C, Detroit Pistons (No. 2) Stats: 4 GP, 4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg Breakdown: Like James, the Pistons are bringing Darko along slowly. His low-post moves really are as good as advertised, however. Aleksandar Pavlovic, F, Utah Jazz (No. 19) Stats: 3 GP, 8.0 ppg, 2.0 apg, 1.33 spg, .600 FG% Breakdown: Athletic Serbian swingman could really help the rebuilding Jazz on offense. Mickael Pietrus, G-F, Golden State Warriors (No. 11) Stats: 4 GP, 6.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg Breakdown: Like Pavlovic and Diaw, should provide a lift off the bench at either the two or the three. Zoran Planinic, G, New Jersey Nets (No. 22) Stats: 3 GP, 8.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.33 spg Breakdown:[b/] With Zoran's steady play at the point this preseason, the Nets feel confident that they have their backup point guard of the present and future. Darius Songaila, F, Sacramento Kings (No. 50; 2002 NBA Draft) Stats: 4 GP, 10.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .552 FG% Breakdown: Might help make up for loss of Scot Pollard. Songalia is a strong, low-post presence who isn't afraid to mix it up. Dwyane Wade, G, Miami Heat (No. 5) Stats: 3 GP, 13.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.33 spg, 1.33 bpg Breakdown: Despite struggling with a sprained ankle, Wade's skill, raw talent and passion for the game has Heat coach Pat Riley ecstatic about his prospects for the coming season. David West, F, New Orleans Hornets (No. 18) Stats: 4 GP, 6.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.25 bpg Breakdown: West has been a real surprise for the Hornets down low, as he's a far better rebounder than they expected. The 6-9 forward is following in the footsteps of fellow Xavier alums Brian Grant, Tyrone Hill and Aaron Williams, who all developed into steady NBA power forwards.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ObieCent:</div><div class="quote_post">Wade better get more than 2 assists if hes gonna play point for the heat</div> You do know those are just the numbers he is putting up in pre-season,right? They aren't his predicted stats...just had to make sure.
James will be in the highlights every night with his passes. And he has Davis and Miles to throw oops too, that will be fun to watch. Melo, a year ahead of the game over James, has been a scoring machine, look forward to seeing those Melo unis everywhere.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">James will be in the highlights every night with his passes. And he has Davis and Miles to throw oops too, that will be fun to watch. .</div> by following him for the last two years .. I think he should be the one finishing the oops !! so athletic .. so smart .. so good
Zoran Planinic's stats are awesome for the amount of minutes he has been getting in the preseason. Boris Diaw could end up being a triple double threat. He must improve his jumpshot. Though unlikely, I hope that Marquise Daniels can can get a spot in the rotation with the mavs. He is a combo guard, a lock on D, and unstoppable 1on1.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting twolvefan11:</div><div class="quote_post">Looks like Carmelo is going to be great.</div>I'm pulling for this kid to do well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Alley-oop:</div><div class="quote_post">Carmelo is the most NBA ready.</div> I disagree that Carmelo will be the most NBA ready. I believe Carmelo will get better numbers because he will do most of the scoring on the Nuggets, with Miller and Nene, but there's another rookie that really comes to my attention as being the more NBA ready player. A kid who has played three years in college and was the leader of the team virtually the whole time needs to get some attention here, and that's Dwayne Wade. This kid can do virtually everything on the court; he can score, block shots, get steals, and this year he'll most likely average 3-5 assists because he'll probably be the Heat's starting point guard. If he develops all of his talent, Wade is a legitimate triple double threat in years to come. This guy in my opinion is the most NBA ready out of all the rookies, but Carmelo is an extremely close second.
I agree with JGNYK. Wade is awesome. I was fortunate enough to watch him play here at Marquette. He is a team leader. He can definitely do everything, and i guarantee he will get his share of triple doubles. I only wish that the hawks would have been worse last season so the bucks could have had a shot at drafting him.
I think that a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised by the underdog, David West. I haven't heard anything about this guy yet the other day he pulled down thirteen boards. That's not bad for a 6-8 rookie power forward playing in one of his first ever NBA games.
Hes 6'9 240. The Same size as Ben Wallace. Yes I think West will be a great backup for Brown. But his coach sucks so that might slow him down.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kid Canada:</div><div class="quote_post">Hes 6'9 240. The Same size as Ben Wallace. Yes I think West will be a great backup for Brown. But his coach sucks so that might slow him down.</div>He is listed at 6-9, but when they record those heights they have those players stand straight up stiff while they stretch their neck muscels to add inches. When West's less-than-perfect posture comes into play he is 6-7 to 6-8. I walked out of the tunnel right next to him in Nashville when Xavier played Maryland I was almost his height(I am bordering on 6-3).
how about ronald dupree maybe making the loaded roster for the pistons.. that would be pretty impressive he postered someone tonight badly!!
By the way Anthony went off again .. this time playin at his old home the carrier dome!!! Him Rodney white and nene are goin to be special..
Too bad Zarko had to get surgery (hernia) or else more people would be talking about him also...the reason why the Suns shipped off Bo Outlaw in the Big Jake deal was to get Zarko some more playing time I'm guessing...he was VERY impressive in the summer league...hopefully he can return without problems...
Caremlos gonna have a good(maybe the best) rookie year he seems the bets for the NBA. LeBron will have tons of highlight reel passes and Bosh will bea good help for the Raps
