http://www.nba.com/milk_rookie/rankings_040315.html 1. Yao Ming, Rockets (No. 1 pick, 2002 Draft) Key Stats: 65 GP, 17.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.78 bpg, .536 FG%, 32.6 mpg Breakdown: Yao has Rockets on brink of team's first playoff berth since 1999, and the second-year center has emerged as one of the game's best big men. Also relishes playing in big games, as proven by his averages of 26.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and .554 field-goal percentage in three games against Shaq and the Lakers this season. Just like last season, Amare and Yao are neck and neck once again. 2. Amare Stoudemire, Suns (No. 9, 2002) Key Stats: 39 GP, 19.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.03 spg, 1.67 bpg, .494 FG%, 35.3 mpg Breakdown: One of the game's top power forwards could easily have been pushed into the top spot had he not missed 27 games this season. Although Stoudemire has played well this season, Phoenix is in last place in the West. The Suns are 14-25 with Stoudemire in the lineup; 7-20 without. 3. Carlos Boozer, Cavaliers (No. 35, 2002) Key Stats: 59 GP, 15.1 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 1.03 spg, .518 FG%, 34.7 mpg Breakdown: Cavaliers are in position for their first playoff appearance since 1998, thanks in no small part to Boozer. Currently ranks fifth in the NBA in rebounding and sixth in field-goal percentage. 4. Manu Ginobili, Spurs (No. 57, 1999) Key Stats: 62 GP, 12.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.92 spg, .335 3P%, 30.2 mpg Breakdown: After winning a title in his rookie season, Ginobili has taken an even bigger role with the Spurs in his second year. His remarkable athleticism makes him one of the top defenders in the league (currently ranks sixth in steals per game), and he's also capable of filling it up when needed, as proven by his 33-point outing against the Lakers early in the season. 5. Tayshaun Prince, Pistons (No. 23, 2002) Key Stats: 68 GP, 10.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.4 apg, .345 3P%, 33.9 mpg Breakdown: Rode last season's strong playoff performance into a starting role this season, and the lanky Prince hasn't disappointed. Can do everything from shoot the long ball to defend any of four positions. 6. Nenj, Nuggets (No. 7, 2002) Key Stats: 63 GP, 11.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.54 spg, .543 FG%, 32.9 mpg Breakdown: Nuggets are challenging for a playoff spot in the West, and Nene (nee Nene Hilario) provides the team with a solid low-post defender and scorer. While he still struggles from the charity stripe (.676), his free-throw shooting has improved by nearly .100 percentage points (shot just .578 last season). 7. Mike Dunleavy, Warriors (No. 3, 2002) Key Stats: 58 GP, 11.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, .371 3P%, 31.0 mpg Breakdown: Starting to deliver on the promise that saw him selected with the third pick in the 2002 draft. Had one of the most impressive games of the season with 24 points, 20 rebounds and five assists against the Pacers on March 2. Has even been asked to man the point for injury-plagued Warriors. 8. Gordan Giricek, Jazz (No. 40, 1999) Key Stats: 58 GP, 10.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, .397 3P%, .829 FT%, 28.6 mpg Breakdown: Suffered from erratic play early in season, but trade from Magic to Jazz seems to have rejuvenated Giricek. Recently had 33 points in win against Phoenix. 9. Drew Gooden, Magic (No. 4, 2002) Key Stats: 65 GP, 11.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 27.2 mpg Breakdown: A steady inside presence for the Magic who has racked up 15 double-doubles so far this season. 10 . Flip Murray, Sonics (No. 42, 2002) Key Stats: 66 GP, 12.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.08 spg, 25.3 mpg Breakdown: One of the biggest surprises of the first half of the season has settled nicely into a reserve role. An electric offensive player who can fill it up very quickly.
How are they neck and neck? they suck with Amare in the lineup and suck without him in the lineup. For a team that by all means had more talent than the Rox, they sure do suck a lot.
11. Bostjan Nachbar, Rockets (No. 15 pick, 2002 Draft) Key Stats: 36 GP, 2.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg, .31 bpg, .354 FG%, 10.3 mpg Breakdown: Boki has Rockets on brink of team's first playoff berth since 1999, and the second-year center has emerged as one of the game's best foreign player that cannot shoot. Also relishes playing in blow-out games and Rockets wins, as proven by his 3x increase in scoring, rebounds, steals, and 3 point shooting percentage while doubling his overall FG percentage.
i love boozers game. relentless on the boards. but not so much in a beastly way, he is just so smooth. can score when needed to. can hit the 12 foot jumper with regularity. he in my opinion, after brand would be the 2nd best complement to yaos game. cleveland was smart to lock him up for 3 years.
not only is Boozer better than Amare (if only for his ability to hit a jump shot) - but how about that drop off after Genobli ?!?!? coming in at number five... (because SOMEONE had to be five)... the great Tayshan Prince ! who so embodies the future of the team that the Pistins snet him to the bench
The more jaw dropping thing is that Ginobli was picked at #57. The scouts really did a great job at evaluating talents. And also put Boozer in the 2rd round.
No, no, no. I will take Booz over Amare any day of the week right now. Amare is not going to win anything in this league if he doesnt get smarter. The kid is a man child with very little fundamental bball skill.
Ya know, I was thinkin', since they usin' Amare's stats in garbage time and completely ignore the Suns' record, we should probably use Yao's stats for only the last 2 months or so. 25/11/2.5 baby.
Amare and Yao close??!??!?!?!? You have got to b kidding me! I'm just going to laugh at this comment, take a nice bathroom break and laugh at that comment some more.
Yep...they just plain suck. In fact, they are the suckiest bunch of sucks whoever sucked. Homer Simpson.
Cmon guys, give Amare 'some' credit. He surely doesn't suck as so many people here are saying. We may all be pissed after yesterday's game but the dude is powerful and athletic...if he had just average fundamentals he'd be close to unstoppable. As of now, he's just very good and not far away from Yao...I'd say neck and neck is pretty fair.
Yes, I am impressed with Boozer, but he plays in the East. Amare may be raw, but he has all the tools.
If the 2002 draft were held right now (based on the way they play) Ming would go first and Boozer would go second (PERIOD) ! that being said - as the token roto geek, stat wise, Amare puts up some nice numbers on a bad team (abeit one that just beat the ROX). Some other players that fit this category...Jason Terry, Stephen Jackson, T-Mac, Iverson...
I would take boozer over amare also. Boozer has much more skill and basketbal iq then amare. The only shortcoming of boozer game is that he is not a great shotblocker, whereas amare can easily be a very good shotblocker with his speed and athletic ability.
Thanks, adai. I just wish they had given the same stats for each player. I know I can look it up, but it would have been nice to compare the steals for Yao and Amare, or the blocks between Boozer and the first two. Wouldn't hurt to see a shot chart for the top three so we could see just where they're shooting from. As for taking Amare (anyone else have a problem spelling his last name? ) or Boozer, I'd take Boozer. In the long run, it might be a mistake, don't know, but right now it's Boozer for sure, imo.
