http://realgm.com/src_feature/834/20070308/the_realgmcom_sweet_16_rookie_rankings/

(a little old, i know, but what else is there to talk about today?)

The RealGM.com Sweet 16 Rookie Rankings
8th March, 2007 - 3:08 pm

1. Brandon Roy: His games played will put him at a disadvantage when ROY voting takes place, but there is no question that he has put up the best numbers when available.

2. Jorge Garbajosa: If Garbajosa wins the ROY, which he very well could if voters use the logic of our custom statistical rankings, the sports community will
collectively ask, ‘Who?!’

3. Paul Millsap: See number two.

4. Rudy Gay: He has had more opportunities that all of the other players on this list, but he has definitely shown the promise which made him an out of this world prospect at UCONN.

5. Andrea Bargnani: No mistake with this pick.

6. Randy Foye: Foye has a shot of having a Wade-like sophomore season in 07-08.

7. Kelenna Azubuike: John Starks, Mario Elie, another Nellie miracle from the minors.

8. LaMarcus Aldridge: What would he be giving the Bulls right now?

9. Craig Smith: His minutes have declined since a 26 and 8 he posted in late January.

10. Rajon Rondo: He has been very effective when he has seen heavy minutes.

11. Adam Morrison: With the highest scoring average, he could steal the ROY though it would be mostly undeserved.

12. Marcus Williams: He was a Kidd trade away from being given the reins.

13. Shelden Williams: As average as most predicted he would be.

14. Sergio Rodriguez: His emergence made Juan Dixon even more expendable.

15. Alexander Johnson: Johnson did most of his damage earlier in the season.

16. Renaldo Balkman: Balkman went from a reach in the first round to a rookie who makes an impact each time he steps on the floor.


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Anyone else but me think Balkman is ranked way too low on this list? How do you have Shelden Williams, Sergio Rodriguez & Alexander Johnson ranked ahead of Balkman? hell, i could easily make an argument against Craig Smith, Rajon Rondo & Marcus Williams too for that matter.

Balkman hasn't played enough to be higher but I think he's a much better prospect than half the guys on that list. Don't let Solace see that he's listed ahead of Ty Thomas!
Have I mentioned yet that I'd prefer Roy over our fat guy?

^ As a follow-up to above, I don't see how me not currently being 'convinced' Balkman is a star/future HOFer as he's been portrayed means I'm hating on him. Style-of-play wise, he's one of the most exciting players on the team. I just need to see a bigger sample before I buy into him being starter quality or better. Moreso, I've been misquoted numerous times, as I never said he was the next Shandon Anderson, I said he would have a role like Shandon, who was an important player on Utah and Houston... we just taint that view because most hated him so much when he was here due to $$ reasons.

As for Tyrus Thomas, he was good enough to be the 'effective' #2 overall pick (granted, it weak draft), so that has to count a bit more than he's being given credit for.

[Edited by - Solace on Mar 23 2007 09:52 AM]

How the hell is Garbajosa ranked #2? And they stipulate it by saying "If Garbajosa wins ROY", Rookie of the year in what leauge? Do these guys follow NBA basketball? Hes not even the best rookie on his own team. Bargnani has had a far bigger impact. Garbajosa isnt even in the top 6-8

don nelson found john starks???

Whoa, whoa....let's not give Nellie all the credit for John Starks. While GS was the first team to sign Starks (after he played in hte CBA and several minor leagues), he was never one of Nellie's "guys" and didn't become a rotation player till he joined the Knicks. In fact when Nellie came over to coach the Knicks he benched Starks in favor of Hubert Davis (a Nellie player, all shooting, no D). If I remember correctly, John called playing for Nellie a "Nightmare."

Posted by TheGame:

If Balkman develops a consistent jumpshot, he will be one of the top-10 players from the 2006 draft. If you consider rebounding, shot-blocking, steals, and individual and help defense as making up a player's overall defensive ability, I think Balkman is already the best overall defensive player in the 2006 draft and if he isn't now, he probably will be with a few more years of seasoning.

Very possible. But looking back, this draft may also turn out to be one the weaker ones. Save for a few players, the 2006 draft seemed to have yeilded a bunch of good role-players.

Posted by Solace:

^ As a follow-up to above, I don't see how me not currently being 'convinced' Balkman is a star/future HOFer as he's been portrayed means I'm hating on him.

who ever said he'd be a future HOFer? seriously, i don't care if you're messing w/me or not, it's annoying when you hyperbolize my comments, & it's not appreciated dude.

Why do you guys get so worked up over some guys rankings who are no more important than the rankings of you or me. Who cares. These rankings are based on what these players have done thus far and are debateable but fair. As for how these players will turn out in their careers how can we judge when most of the guys are getting role player minutes.

Roy's role seems to be cemented but none of the rest have really earned kudos. Many have shown potential but nothign has been decided yet. Give it a few years. Someone on this list(possibly not) will rocket out of no where and surprise everyone. It happens every year. Why so much stock in what some guy on RealGM says?

Posted by TMS:

Why do you guys get so worked up over some guys rankings who are no more important than the rankings of you or me. Who cares. These rankings are based on what these players have done thus far and are debateable but fair.

relax... no one's losing any sleep over this... you claim these rankings are debateable but fair... i disagree... that's what i'm saying here to begin with... i feel Balkman should be ranked way higher on that list, & Ty Thomas deserves to be listed at the very least.

And your opinion is debateable and fair as well.