Updated: Nov. 22, 2005, 11:43 AM ET
Rookie report: First 10 games, first in class
Insider
Sheridan
By Chris Sheridan
We're now three full weeks into the 2005-06 season, a long enough time to get a gauge on which NBA rookies are having an early impact.
A look at 10 first-year players who are producing the most results, as well as the rookies off to slow starts:
1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets: The runaway leader among rookies in points per game (16.6), steals (2.2) and minutes played (36.4), the diminutive point guard from Wake Forest who supplanted Speedy Claxton as the Hornets' primary playmaker is also tied for the league lead in assists per game (6.3) among rookies. He had a strong run of games for the surprising 4-6 Hornets before looking lost against Philadelphia's Allen Iverson on Monday.
2. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz: Williams became Utah's starter a week ago after Keith McLeod was sidelined with a back injury, and now looks poised to keep the job long-term. Has reached double figures in points in seven straight games, and had double-figure assists in the last two against Memphis and Milwaukee. Looks like that week he spent in Spokane, Wash., with John Stockton prior to training camp is paying off.
3. Charlie Villanueva, Toronto Raptors: Playing 28.5 minutes off the bench for the woeful Raptors, Villanueva has shown a steady inside-outside game that has hushed the critics who wondered why Toronto selected him at No. 7 after a so-so collegiate career at UConn. Tied for third in scoring (13.2), second in rebounding (6.5) and first in blocks (0.90) among rookies, Villanueva also has knocked down 11 3-pointers.
4. Channing Frye, New York Knicks: Who says Larry Brown doesn't like rookies? He's positively enamored of the young forward-center from Arizona who has shown the best shooting touch by a Knicks big man since Patrick Ewing prowled the paint. Frye leads all rookies in field goal percentage (.510). New York has often played its best ball when he has been on the court in Brown's ever-changing rotations.
5. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks: The No. 1 pick in the draft is logging only 26.0 minutes per game but is averaging 8.1 rebounds. He made a foul-plagued return to the state where he played in college and had a mediocre outing against the Jazz Monday night, his third straight pedestrian effort after losing his starting job to Joe Smith. Ranks 10th in the NBA among all players, veterans and rookies, in offensive rebounds per 48 minutes.
6. Sarunas Jasikevicius, Indiana Pacers: The 29-year-old Lithuanian from Maccabi Tel Aviv has shot a disappointing 33 percent from 3-point range thus far while struggling to look comfortable in an offense where he's often switched between point guard and shooting guard. Went 10-for-10 from the line against the Bobcats last weekend, moving him among the top 10 leaguewide in free-throw percentage (.923).
7. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors: The young point guard from Spain has been quietly racking up assists in bunches. Of the top 40 league leaders in assists, only Calderon (26.0 minutes) and Jamaal Tinsley (26.4) are averaging less than 27 minutes. Coach Sam Mitchell has at times played Calderon alongside Mike James in the backcourt, allowing James to concentrate on scoring and Calderon on getting him the ball.
8. Salim Stoudamire, Atlanta Hawks: People were raving about his shooting stroke when the Hawks picked him 31st in the draft, and Damon's cousin has not disappointed. His 14 3-pointers are second-most among rookies behind Deron Williams, and his 24-point fourth-quarter outburst against New Orleans last Friday very nearly gave the Hawks their first win.
9. Luther Head, Houston Rockets: In an effort to add some quickness to a team with the worst record in the Western Conference, coach Jeff Van Gundy gave Head the start Sunday against Indiana. He's shooting 45 percent from 3-point range.
10. Sean May, Charlotte Bobcats: Of Charlotte's two rookies from North Carolina, May has made a bit more of a difference than Raymond Felton. He is the team's fourth-leading scorer (10.4 ppg) despite playing just 19.4 minutes per game.
SLOW STARTS
So far, these lottery picks haven't fulfilled the potential that made them high draft picks:
Marvin Williams, Hawks (No. 2 overall): Producing only 6.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in almost 25 minutes per night for winless Atlanta.
Raymond Felton, Bobcats (No. 5): Lost out to Sean May in a close race for No. 10. Was great in blowout win vs. Pacers, so-so next two nights.
Martell Webster, Trail Blazers, (No. 6): Has received a mere 22 minutes of playing time in five games, shooting 1-for-5. The make was a 3 against the Knicks.
Ike Diogu, Warriors, (No. 9): A fractured left hand has kept him out of action. He could begin practicing soon.
Andrew Bynum, Lakers (No. 10): Logged some fourth-quarter minutes during the meltdown against the Bulls the other night, but hurt the Lakers more than he helped.
Fran Vazquez, Magic (No. 11): Averaging 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds for Girosa, which is 7-1 and tied for first place in the Spanish League.
Yaroslav Korolev, Clippers (No. 12): Yet to record a single statistic in six minutes of playing time over two games.
Rashad McCants, Timberwolves (No. 14): Being brought along slowly, but logged 25 minutes vs. Bobcats last Saturday.
Rookie report: First 10 games, first in class
Insider
Sheridan
By Chris Sheridan
We're now three full weeks into the 2005-06 season, a long enough time to get a gauge on which NBA rookies are having an early impact.
A look at 10 first-year players who are producing the most results, as well as the rookies off to slow starts:
1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets: The runaway leader among rookies in points per game (16.6), steals (2.2) and minutes played (36.4), the diminutive point guard from Wake Forest who supplanted Speedy Claxton as the Hornets' primary playmaker is also tied for the league lead in assists per game (6.3) among rookies. He had a strong run of games for the surprising 4-6 Hornets before looking lost against Philadelphia's Allen Iverson on Monday.
2. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz: Williams became Utah's starter a week ago after Keith McLeod was sidelined with a back injury, and now looks poised to keep the job long-term. Has reached double figures in points in seven straight games, and had double-figure assists in the last two against Memphis and Milwaukee. Looks like that week he spent in Spokane, Wash., with John Stockton prior to training camp is paying off.
3. Charlie Villanueva, Toronto Raptors: Playing 28.5 minutes off the bench for the woeful Raptors, Villanueva has shown a steady inside-outside game that has hushed the critics who wondered why Toronto selected him at No. 7 after a so-so collegiate career at UConn. Tied for third in scoring (13.2), second in rebounding (6.5) and first in blocks (0.90) among rookies, Villanueva also has knocked down 11 3-pointers.
4. Channing Frye, New York Knicks: Who says Larry Brown doesn't like rookies? He's positively enamored of the young forward-center from Arizona who has shown the best shooting touch by a Knicks big man since Patrick Ewing prowled the paint. Frye leads all rookies in field goal percentage (.510). New York has often played its best ball when he has been on the court in Brown's ever-changing rotations.
5. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks: The No. 1 pick in the draft is logging only 26.0 minutes per game but is averaging 8.1 rebounds. He made a foul-plagued return to the state where he played in college and had a mediocre outing against the Jazz Monday night, his third straight pedestrian effort after losing his starting job to Joe Smith. Ranks 10th in the NBA among all players, veterans and rookies, in offensive rebounds per 48 minutes.
6. Sarunas Jasikevicius, Indiana Pacers: The 29-year-old Lithuanian from Maccabi Tel Aviv has shot a disappointing 33 percent from 3-point range thus far while struggling to look comfortable in an offense where he's often switched between point guard and shooting guard. Went 10-for-10 from the line against the Bobcats last weekend, moving him among the top 10 leaguewide in free-throw percentage (.923).
7. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors: The young point guard from Spain has been quietly racking up assists in bunches. Of the top 40 league leaders in assists, only Calderon (26.0 minutes) and Jamaal Tinsley (26.4) are averaging less than 27 minutes. Coach Sam Mitchell has at times played Calderon alongside Mike James in the backcourt, allowing James to concentrate on scoring and Calderon on getting him the ball.
8. Salim Stoudamire, Atlanta Hawks: People were raving about his shooting stroke when the Hawks picked him 31st in the draft, and Damon's cousin has not disappointed. His 14 3-pointers are second-most among rookies behind Deron Williams, and his 24-point fourth-quarter outburst against New Orleans last Friday very nearly gave the Hawks their first win.
9. Luther Head, Houston Rockets: In an effort to add some quickness to a team with the worst record in the Western Conference, coach Jeff Van Gundy gave Head the start Sunday against Indiana. He's shooting 45 percent from 3-point range.
10. Sean May, Charlotte Bobcats: Of Charlotte's two rookies from North Carolina, May has made a bit more of a difference than Raymond Felton. He is the team's fourth-leading scorer (10.4 ppg) despite playing just 19.4 minutes per game.
SLOW STARTS
So far, these lottery picks haven't fulfilled the potential that made them high draft picks:
Marvin Williams, Hawks (No. 2 overall): Producing only 6.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in almost 25 minutes per night for winless Atlanta.
Raymond Felton, Bobcats (No. 5): Lost out to Sean May in a close race for No. 10. Was great in blowout win vs. Pacers, so-so next two nights.
Martell Webster, Trail Blazers, (No. 6): Has received a mere 22 minutes of playing time in five games, shooting 1-for-5. The make was a 3 against the Knicks.
Ike Diogu, Warriors, (No. 9): A fractured left hand has kept him out of action. He could begin practicing soon.
Andrew Bynum, Lakers (No. 10): Logged some fourth-quarter minutes during the meltdown against the Bulls the other night, but hurt the Lakers more than he helped.
Fran Vazquez, Magic (No. 11): Averaging 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds for Girosa, which is 7-1 and tied for first place in the Spanish League.
Yaroslav Korolev, Clippers (No. 12): Yet to record a single statistic in six minutes of playing time over two games.
Rashad McCants, Timberwolves (No. 14): Being brought along slowly, but logged 25 minutes vs. Bobcats last Saturday.
