Blake Griffin Named Western Conference Rookie Of The Month

The beast known as Los Angeles Clippers PF Blake Griffin was named Western Conference Rookie Of The Month by the NBA today, the second consecutive month. Unless you have been in a cave since October you have seen tons of Griffin monster dunks all over youtube and Sportscenter. For December, Griffin averaged 23 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 3.9 apg and shot 52% from the field. He also racked up a double double in all 15 games in Dec. The Clippers finished the month with an improved 7-8 record, including victories over the Spurs (31 & 130 and the Bulls 29 & 12).

NY Knicks swingman Landry Fields was named rookie of the month for the Eastern Conference.

Here's another look at some of Griffin's amazing highlights:



And here is a highlight of an insane alley oop Griffin caught yesterday in a close loss to the Hawks:



My personal favorite is still the fast break spin move and slam over Galinari, but there really are too many to choose from. Keep it up and stay healthy, Blake. The W's will come soon.

-ALR

NBA Trimester: 2010-2011 Rookie Report

As we are at the 1/3 of the way through the 2010-2011 NBA season, this is a great time to give you "That Sports Blog"' rookie rankings, top 5 and bottom 5. You can see my pre-season rookie rankings here (looking back, I wasn't too far off). On to the rankings, which are based off of draft position, expectations and overall productivity...

1. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
You've seen the highlights, the monster dunks, spin moves, and rebounds. Everyone knew Griffin would be good, but I don't think anyone saw him being this good this soon. The versatile big man is currently contributing 21.5 ppg, 12 rpg and even chipping in 3 dimes. Since his 44 point coming out party against the Knicks, Griffin has run off 20 straight double doubles. The scary thing is he's still getting better. His numbers for December; 23ppg, 13.5rpg and 4apg. He's even added in a reliable mid range jumper. He's the runaway ROY at this point.

2. John Wall, Washington Wizards

Before suffering from knee tendinitis Wall and Griffin were dueling for the top rookie spot. But injuries have caused JW11 to miss a bunch of games and limited when he has been on the court lately. Still, he's putting up over 15 and 8 dimes per which isn't too shabby for a rookie PG. His jumper has been shaky but there are signs that it will improve and with Arenas now shipped off to Orlando Wall will have more room to isolate his defender and utilize his superior speed. If he can stay on the court and off of the trainer's table.

3. Landry Fields, New York Knicks

If you're saying to yourself "Who?", you aren't the only one. Fields, a 6'7 swingman out of Stanford, has started every game at shooting guard for the much improved Knicks. He's currently 4th in rookie scoring (10.3) and leads all NBA guards in rebounding (7.5). He doesn't do much that will make you say WOW but he's been very solid all around. Not bad for a 2nd round pick.

4. Wesley Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves
Though you may not hear much about him, Johnson has quietly put together a decent start to his NBA career. He's averaging close to double figures while shooting very well from the perimeter (.459 overall, .397 from the 3). He may struggle for minutes in the near future with the return of swingman Martell Webster but the versatile Johnson can also play the SF position in a pinch. And if you haven't caught any of his highlights, here is a sample. Minnesota may have a nice nucleus in the works if they can settle on a PG.

5. Derrick Favors, New Jersey Nets

I had Favors ranked in my bottle 5 before the season, mainly due to his young age and the spot where he was drafted (#3 overall). So far when he has been on the court he has proven me wrong. Though only getting 19 minutes of burn a game Favors has chipped in close to 7ppg and 5rpg and a couple double doubles. He has legit size for an NBA power forward and has shown flashes but until he can sustain his energy level on a more consistent basis he will continue to struggle for minutes.

Bottom 5 (based on draft position, expectations & productivity)

5. Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers

Being picked 2nd overall brings a lot of expectations, but Turner hasn't done much when on the floor to live up to them. He has struggled with his shooting so far and teams are sagging off of him and daring him to take long range jumpers. In Turner's defense he has been solid on the glass (4.4rpg) but the play making ability that was flashed during his 3 seasons at Ohio St. has yet to translate to the NBA. He did have a nice 23 point effort last night while starting at the 3 for Andre Iguodala but in contrast the performance was against one of the worst defenses in the league. Hopefully it will build his confidence and bring forth more solid performances.

4. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Cousins entered the NBA with question marks regarding his bad attitude and a label as a hot head. So far he has done nothing but transform those question marks into bold exclamation points. Cousins has been suspended by his team, thrown out of practice and displayed horrible body language on the court. And to be 6'11 and close to 300lbs, he's had a little trouble finishing in the paint. Will all that said, Cousins has a TON of talent and is still managing to put up 11 and 8 a night. If he can shake his maturity issues he still has a chance to develop into a very good NBA center in a short period of time. But that is a very big IF.

3. Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons

Monroe is another top 10 pick who has struggled to get minutes early in the season. Which is baffling because the Pistons don't have much depth at the center position. Monroe did get a few starts in early December but was quickly sent back to a reserve role. Monroe hasn't been much of a scorer but he has contributed 5 rebounds in less than 20 minutes per game which isn't bad. But outside of that he hasn't done much else.

2. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz

Take away last night's 17-point explosion against the Clippers and Hayward has been absolutely non-existent this season. He started the season as a big part of the Jazz's rotation but has seen his minutes cut to few and far between. The shooting stroke that everyone was so high on entering the season hasn't been there for Hayward and he has looked timid when given the opportunity to shoot. He's still young and coming from a mid-major program so he  may still be the adjusting to the jump in competition, but so far his play has left much to be desired from the 9th pick in the draft.

1. Daniel Orton, Orlando Magic

Congratulations go out to Orton for holding down this spot for the 2nd time. Gotta love that consistency. I really don't have much else to write about Orton as he has yet to play a single minute in the NBA, and only played parts of 2 games in the D-League as he re-injured his left knee. Orton definitely owes his agent a raise as they pulled a fast one by getting him drafted in the first round.

-ALR

NBA Rookies To Watch 2010-2011

Every season there is an aura of excitement as well as uncertainty surrounding the NBA's incoming rookie class. Especially for someone like myself as I always tend to analyze prospects potential to be good professionals (I have a dream of one day being a scout). Will the top draft picks be able to live up to expectations? Will the "sleeper" pick make the team look like geniuses or look silly (we're looking at you, Kwame Brown). With all that said, here is a look at my picks for 10 rookies to watch this season, (5) for better and (5) for worse:

1. John Wall (1st overall, Washington Wizards)

By now you have heard about the ultra quick and crazy athletic point guard for the Wizards that everyone is excited about. Well believe the hype. Wall is a can't miss NBA star in the making. He can get to the basket at will and if he continues to work on his jumper he will be a serious problem. Things are looking up for the Wizards.

2. Blake Griffin (1st overall in 2009, Los Angeles Clippers)

Griffin missed all of last season with a knee injury but watching his play in preseason gives you a taste of what  he is capable of. He attacks the rim relentlessly and is good for a couple highlight dunks a night. He has even flashed signs of a jumper and nifty handles for a 6-10/250 power forward. Not to mention he's still only 21. He and Wall should be locked in a battle for ROY.

3. Wesley Johnson (3rd overall, Minnesota Timberwolves)

I remember before the draft mentioning that Johnson reminded me of a smoother version of Shawn Marion, with his ability to rebound, block shots and finish above the rim. Those attributes all hold true and Johnson is also much more polished offensively. He has a real nice jump shot and is fundamentally sound. He should get plenty of burn for the lowly Timberwolves.

4. DeMarcus Cousins (5th overall, Sacramento Kings)

Cousins is an absolute beast in the paint. He put up monster numbers while teamed up with Wall as freshmen at Kentucky, all in a system that may not have taken full advantage of his post potential. Cousins has excellent hands and is a load to keep off the glass. He even has a little bit of a face up game and can take slower centers off the dribble. Cousins should be 1st team all rookie and a future all-star if he can control his emotions.

5. Cole Aldrich (11th overall by the New Orleans Hornets, traded to the Thunder)

Aldrich makes this list as he fills a definite need for a clear playoff contender. He's big, knows his role and will block and alter shots. Aldrich can knock down a shot jump shot, and showed a decent hook shot and post game in college. Aldrich is the definition of a "value" pick and should make a nice impact for the Thunder this season.

The "Worst"

5. Evan Turner (2rd overall, Philadelphia 76ers)

I know, I know, Turner was spectacular last season for the Ohio St. Buckeyes and he may have a solid pro career, but this is about the 2010-2011 season, where Turner will struggle. He and Sixers current star Andre Iguodala virtually play the same position and the Sixers will experiment with Turner at the point but that isn't his game. His arrival won't have a big enough effect on the season for me to consider him a stud. Yet.

4. Derrick Favors (3rd overall, New Jersey Nets)

Favors is the youngest player in the NBA this season and will face some growing pains. He has legit NBA size for a power forward and reminds me a little of Amare' Stoudemire but this season won't be the one where we see his full potential. If I'm wrong, then why did the Nets stock up on power forwards in the off season? I rest my case.

3. Epke Udoh (6th overall, Golden State Warriors)

This was a real reach as the 6th pick, especially when there were so many other players that Golden State could have used. Udoh is older than your average NBA rookie and only produced one decent season at Baylor and won't see the court until December or January due to injury. And I doubt he'll play much when he is healthy.

2. Eric Bledsoe (18th overall by Oklahoma Thunder, traded to the Clippers)

Entering his freshman year at Kentucky, Bledsoe was considered a top point guard prospect with excellent athleticism. But he was forced to play off the ball as Wall was the point, which probably stunted his growth as a floor general. He may be a decent back up one day but he will be hard pressed to see the floor this season. Another year running Kentucky after Wall left would have served Bledsoe well. But hey, he's a millionaire so I guess it was a win for him.

1. Daniel Orton (29th overall, Orlando Magic)

Talk about a reach. Orton barely played as a freshman for Kentucky (notice a trend?) and only 13 minutes when he did, averaging a little over 3 points and 3 boards per. You can't teach size, and Orlando figured he could eventually be serviceable backing up Dwight Howard. But Orton looked down right horrible in summer league play and couldn't avoid getting a ton of fouls. I don't see any of the skills you would look for in a 1st round big man, but 'm no expert. I'm sure the Magic could have done better than Orton though.

-ALR