Which NBA Rookie Will Be the Top Performer in 2009

Sports Betting News - July 10th, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

The 2009 NBA rookie class is host to a number of players who are projected to see lots of time on the court and maybe even win a starting job before the season ends. Unlike football or baseball, where draft picks have to wait two or three season to make an impact on their teams. Basketball players often get a chance to see playing time with in the first week of games. Though this years draft is no where near the talent level of the 2003 NBA draft that brought Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh into the league, it is a very talented draft. 

Most think number 1 pick overall Blake Griffin will be the rookie of the year and have the best season out of all the rookies. The critics just might be correct on this one, the Clippers traded power forward Zach Randolph away to make room for Griffin to start and, the fast pace offense of the Clippers will help him excel. Still the draft has lots of candidates who can win rookie of the year in 2009.  My pick is James Harden, Harden is an explosive talent and offensive scorer out of Arizona State. The Oklahoma City Thunder selected James Harden with the 3rd overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. Harden is expected to start as well at the shooting guard position and former shooting guard Kevin Durrant is projected to move to the Small forward spot as he should with his 6'9 height.

This move will allow Harden opportunities to control the ball himself, instead of just a catch and shoot style of system.  Look for James Harden to play well his first year and to astonish some critics with his passing abilities and rebounding skills. Harden has a body shape similar to Carmelo Anthony which makes him deceptive to defenders. He is faster than teams think and plays at two gears kind of like Allen Iverson who can constantly run faster we he needs to. Harden is a creative ball handler and my pick to win rookie of the year.