Top 5 Rookie peformers in the NBA So Far

Here are a look at the top 5 picks in the NBA Draft last year:

#1 Greg Oden - Portland Trailblazers
Key Stats: N/A - out for the year

#2 Kevin Durant - Seattle Supersonics

Key Stats: 19.3 points 4.2 rebounds 1.14 blocks.

#3 Al Horford - Atlanta Hawks

Key Stats: 8.9 points 9.7 rebounds 1.12 blocks.

#4 Mike Conley Jr. - Memphis Grizzlies
Key Stats: 8.7 points 5.0 assists in 26 minutes.

#5 Jeff Green - Seattle Supersonics

Key Stats: 9 points 4.8 rebounds.

My Top 5 Thus Far:
#1 Kevin Durant - Seattle Supersonics

WOW. While the Sonics have flopped this year Durant has been a definite bright spot! Durant's biggest criticism coming out of college was that he was too lanky, and needed to put on more weight. While this might effect his rebounding ability, his long arms and freakish wingspan have made him difficult to guard on the offense end and have allowed him to block more than a shot a game. He's already averaging nearly 20 points a night as a rookie, expect his game to really flourish in the next 2-3 seasons. Remember he is only 19, as his game and body develop, we are looking at a guy who will eventually be averaging 25+ points, 6-7 rebounds. His game reminds me a little of a taller more athletic Allen Iverson....that's a good thing. This kid is going to be around for a long time!

#2 Yi Jilian - Milwaukee Bucks

I'm not going to lie, I didn't like this pick for the Bucks at all when it happened. However, Yi continues to surprise me with his overall talent level, and as good as Al Horford is, I think Yi would have been a better pick for the Hawks. Yi's got more upside as a scorer, and probably projects better as a shot-blocker, too. Being as he's had to adjust to the American game and culture (unlike Al) suggests that when he figures it out, he'll stand alongside Durant as one of the top two rookies of this class (Greg Oden considered a rookie next season).

#3 Al Horford - Atlanta Hawks

He's real helped to breathe some life into the franchise and he's got them sitting around .500 which is quite an accomplishment. He's had a fine rookie season, already playing big minutes and contributing nearly a double- double a night. He has room to improve and although he's not a prolific scorer he moves great without the ball and has established him down in the paint. and he's a great rebounder He's also a lot quicker than I thought he was.

#4 Sean Williams - NJ Nets

Williams still has a lot of growing to do offensively, but he has a nice turnaround jumper from the block and he can finish strong drives with his left hand. This shows in my mind that he has a solid scoring foundation, and the fact that he has these moves suggests he is not as raw as people think. When I watch Williams, I see a young man who is always around the ball and the rim, keeping balls alive and creating opportunities for teammates and He's one of the fastest guys I've ever seen, in terms of his recovery speed as a basketball player. Overall I'm very pleasantly surprised by when I've seen from Mr. Williams and I think he is on his way to becoming a very good player.

#5 Jamario Moon - Toronto Raptors
This guy is a hustler. He works so hard and is only just starting to get some of the recognition that he deserves. He had a 19-game shot-blocking streak in December and in my opinion Moon has the size, agility and length to be a very good defensive stopper. Right now he might lack the strength to defend some of the league's stronger guards and wings. With his high-energy hustling play I think he has to be accounted for on both ends of the floor.

Buy or Sell: Adrian Peterson as the 2nd Best RB in the NFL Right Now

I'm sure all you readers know that I am far from a Vikings fan. However, almost all of my friends are and I've seen quite a bit of Vikings football and I would like to make an announcement: Adrian Peterson is the REAL DEAL!

I was sceptical at first, thinking that the Vikes should have taken a QB (probably Quinn) in the 1st round. I now believe that they made the best pick in the draft in getting a guy with arguably the most talent to come out of the draft since LT.

Before the season he seemed like a solid/safe choice for NFC ROY being as the Vikings still didn't have much of a QB and a weak group of WRs. In 6 short weeks (5 including a bye) he has proved he is THE pick for NFC ROY, not just a probably candidate.

Obviously, being a rookie he has a lot to learn. He's not a great pass catcher yet, and he still has room to work on his blocking. However, I do agree with Complete Sports in saying that, "I think that Adrian Peterson is already the most explosive RB in the NFL with the ball in his hands".

Through 5 games he now has 607 yards rushing, 4 TD, and 6.3 YPC. He's also caught 10 receptions for 175 yards and a receiving TD. Go ahead and throw in 248 yards return yards. Through 5 career games, Adrian Peterson has 1030 total yards. That's mind blowing.

With all this said, knowing what I know, seeing what I've seen (especially what he did in the 1st half against the Packers and against the Bears on Sunday) I feel pretty confident in saying that I'm buying Adrian Peterson as the 2nd best RB in the NFL right now - only behind LT. Just imagine what the 5-1 Packers would be like if they were starting Adrian Peterson instead of DeShawn Wynn! From what I've seen he can and will continue to carry the ball and the team on his back (assuming Brad Childress gets him the ball).

Are you buying or selling Adrian Peterson as the 2nd best RB in the NFL right now? If not lemme know why.

2007 AFC Impact Rookies

You've already heard my NFC Impact Rookies....so now enjoy the AFC version.

AFC OFFENSE
RB Marshawn Lynch - Buffalo Bills

I really wanted the Packers to get him but the Bills snatched him up early. I think he's a great pick and he'll split carries with Anthony Thomas for most of the year and I predict will win the starting job by the end of the season....this kid's for real.

WR Anthony Gonzalez - Indianapolis Colts

He will probably be the starting 3 receiver and we all know the Colts love to throw and I think you can look for him to catch a lot of balls with Harrison and Wayne drawing constant doubleteams.

WR Dwayne Bowe - Kansas City Chiefs

I think other than Calvin Johnson he will have the best season of any WRs taken in this year's draft.

WR Ted Ginn - Miami Dolphins

If he's healthy look for him to make his mark both catching balls and especially in the return game. He was a bad pick for them in the draft but he'll make an impact.

QB JaMarcus Russell - Oakland Raiders

I think regardless if people think he is ready or not I think he'll eventually beat out Walter and McCown for the starting job. From there he'll make an obvious impact to the team with his legs and rocket arm.

WR Jacoby Jones - Houston Texans

Here is my sleeper in the AFC. This kid is a former D-II standout who should get some playing time in certain receiver packages and will probably wind up being the team's return specialist.

AFC DEFENSE
FS Reggie Nelson - Jacksonville Jaguars
Should be ballhawking out in centerfield come opening day.

MLB Paul Posluszny - Buffalo Bills

Love the game this kid has. He should make an immediate impact starting at MLB and barring any health problems should have a huge season.

CB Leon Hall - Cincinatti Bengals

He will most likely start the season as the No. 3 CB on the team. However, he'll probably be starting opposite of Jonathan Joseph sooner rather than later (As long as he doesn't get in with the wrong crowd out in Cinci -COUGH-Chris Henry-COUGH-).

CB Darelle Revis - New York Jets

They're really counting on him to go out and win a starting spot in camp. Also look for him to return punts for the Jets most of the season.

DT Marcus Thomas - Denver Broncos

The Broncos have a ton of young rookite talent on the DLine with Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder at DE. However, if Thomas can stay healthy I think he makes the biggest impact at DT.

2007 NFC Impact Rookies

Training camp is upon us and before this year's noobiess hit the playing field I'm going to tell you who I think will be the biggest difference makers for their respective teams. I like the NFC so it's first and the AFC Impact rookies will come later in the week.

NFC OFFENSE
TE Greg Olson - Chicago Bears

He's a huge upgrade over Desmond Clark and will give Rex Grossman a great vertical threat on offense. His success is largely contingent upon the ever-so inconsistently bad Rex Grossman but I think he'll make a big splash in the NFL Central.

WR Calvin Johnson - Detroit Lions

Will be the offensive ROY in the NFC and Mike Martz will but him to great use.

RB Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings

He will be part of a great tandem with Chester Taylor. The Vikings will rely heavily on their 2-back combo with the inexperienced and highly unproven Tarvaris Jackson behind Center. Look for him to get more and more carries as the game progresses and they'll look for him to close out games with big runs in the 4th quarter.

RB Brandon Jackson - Green Bay Packers

He is my sleeper here. I thought he was a great pick in the 2nd round, although he poses some injury risk I think if he can stay healthy (which i predict he will) he will win the starting job from Vernand Morency and have a good year.

WR Steve Smith - New York Giants

I think he fits their system well and will wind up as a go-to-guy from Eli by the end of the season. I think he will come out and surprise a lot of people with a great rookie season.

WR Courtney Taylor - Seattle Seahawks

He will contribute and I think he'll surprise a lot of people.

NFC DEFENSE

LB Jon Beason - Carolina Panthers

Rumor has it he will start at WLB and he is a good insurance policy for the oft-injured Dan Morgan. I think he makes a big impact and gets a lot of playing time.

DL Adam Carriker - St. Louis Rams

He has apparently been moved to the inside already and the Rams think he will start there. However, if something happens he can always shift out to DE where he had a great career in college. Watched a lot of him in college and I think he is going to be a great pro player. He's got the body and the skill-set to dominate in the NFL.

LB Patrick Willis - San Francisco 49ers

He is going to be a franchise player. He'll start this year and look for him to have a great year much to the likes of AJ Hawk's rookies season with the Pack last year.

LB Stewart Bradley - Philadelphia Eagles

I think he will likely start on the strong side over Chris Gocong who is recovering from a neck injury. I think he will be heavily relied on and will make the biggest impact of any of Philly's draft choices.

S LaRon Landy - Washington Redskins

Will be a great bookend opposite Sean Taylor. I think you're probably looking at the 2007 Defensive ROY.

DE Gaines Adams - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs were 2nd worst in sacks last season with only 25. Look for Adams to start and make a big impact.

TSF's Super Sophs

I just got done giving you my all-rookie team selections. Now, without further delay I'd like to give you my team of the bets rookies from LAST year. Last year's rookie class was pretty deep so this should be fun.

C- Russell Martin - LAD
Had an outstandingly quiet year last year hitting .282 10 HRs and 65 RBIs in 415 ABs. Although his stats last year weren't quite that of Paulino I'm taking Martin because of his performance thus far this season. He's off to a good start and I think he'll drive in substantially more runs that Paulino just because the Pirates don't have the same firepower as the Dodgers. This was a tough decision but Martin has played his way into the spot through the first 5 weeks of this season.

1B - Prince Fielder - MIL
He's the man and he's my favorite player on my favorite team so this isn't very tough for me to put him here. He had 28 HRs last year and I think his power numbers will only continue to go up and up. Also look for him to definitely collect more than 80 RBIs this season. The thing that really impresses me and that I like about him though, is his K's are down. He's showing that he can hit for singles and doubles, not just HRs and take the ball the other way.

2B - Ian Kinsler - TEX
I really want Rickie Weeks here but technically he's not a soph. and also I don't wanna be too pro-Brewers. He hit .286 with 14 HRs, 55 RBIs, and had 11 SBs as a rookie. He's showing us thus far this season he's the real deal (.290 9 HRs, 24 RBIs, 4 SB with a .364) I see much of the same with a power increase coming this year.

3B - Ryan Zimmerman - DC
Hasn't had a great start to this season but he's on a horrible team with little to no supporting cast, and there is no doubt in my mind that this kid is/will be a star. He drove in 100+ runs last season and I think that it will be tough for him to repeat that with the team that is around him. However I think he'll climb up over 20 HRs this year and he's solid defensively. At 3B this is one of those no-brainers.

SS- Hanley Ramirez - FL
This was a little tougher of a pick because I really like both Ramirez and Drew (ARI). Really I think Ramirez is a better player right now and is having a significantly better season thus far. Also love what he can do on D and his speed is a definite asset to the team.

LF- Josh Willingham - FL
Another one of those great Marlins sophs. He's hitting .299 right now (I'll call it .300 for good measure) 4 HRs, and 23 RBIs. He can hit for power and contact and I think you can look for him to have a pretty good year this year driving in a lot of runs. Plus, the kid can be my backup catcher too!

CF- Kelly Johnson - ATL
There is no clear-cut CF to put out here. Almost all sophs (Quientin, Cabrera, Markakis, Herminda, and Kemp) play corner OF. Johnson has CF eligibility in Fantasy Baseball so I'm plugging him in here. I know, it's a risky move but I'm the skipper and I make the calls.

RF- Andre Ethier - LAD
His .308 last year with a modest 11 HRs and 55 RBIs. I know the power numbers aren't great but what I really like here was his BA. He puts the ball in play and gets on base. That's the most important part. The power and the runs will come. Gives me a good contact hitting lefty bat in my lineup and can play adequate D.

Starting Rotation
1. Justin Verlander (DET)- Naturally....
2. Cole Hamels (PHI)- Has electric stuff and will be rackin' up the K's all season. He's 3-1 right now and I think you can look for him to win 13+ games this season rather comfortably
3.Matt Cain (SF)- Has good stuff. Record is just 1-2 right now but he was 13-12 last year and I think he'll win at least that many again this year. Just needs to keep his walks down.
4.Jered Weaver (LAA)- We all saw what he could do last season...he'll snap back to his old self.
5.Chad Billingsley (LAD)- Is a good pitcher but wouldn't be here if Liriano's arm hadn't exploded.

If Liriano was healthy my rotation would be even more dominant with:
1. Verlander 2. Liriano 3. Hamels 4. Cain 5. Weaver.

Batting Order
1. Hanley Ramirez (FL)- SS
2. Kelly Johnson (ATL) - CF
3. Ian Kinsler (TEX) - 2B
4. Prince Fielder (MIL) - 1B
5. Ryan Zimmerman (DC) - 3B
6. Josh Willingham (FL) - LF
7. Andre Ethier (LAD) - RF
8. Russell Martin (LAD) - C
9. Pitcher - P

Once again It's all just personal opinion. This is my squad of super sophs, what's yours look like?

TSF's Prospective 2007 MLB All-Rookie Team

Even though the season is merely 1/5 over I wanted to come at your with what I consider to be MY all-rookies team for the 2007 season. Judging by performance thus far, personal opinion, and performance to come, I give you my squad.

C - Carlos Ruiz - PHI
A lot of people probably would have taken Chris Iannetta from COL coming into the season and still might now. Ruiz has come on as a huge sleeper and is having a great season thus far. I went out on a limb in picking him up on my fantasy team when Ramon Hernandez went down early and man did it ever pay off. I didn't even really know much about him and I really lucked out. Anyways, he's hitting .288 with 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 10 runs scored, and 1 SB. Those aren't stifiling numbers but Iannetta has struggled immensely (.182, 0 HR, 4RBIs) in his time in the majors and Ruiz has been a pleasant surprise. He gets the nod.

1B - Joey Votto - CIN
Previous rookie classes have been loaded with 1B talent...well not so much this year. Votto's power numbers are getting better and unless both Scott Hatteburgh and the Reds get hot before the All-Star Break, I think you can expect to see a lot of this guy down the stretch this year.

2B - Howie Kendrick - LAA
Kelly Johnson has been the real surprise at 2B but unfortunately people forget that he isn't a rookie. He had 290 ABs in 80+ games in 2005 so he's a no-go. I like Kendrick here. He's got quick hands, some power and immense upside. I know he's on the DL right now but I'm still taking him because I think he'll do well this year and I've always liked him as a prospect.

3B - Alex Gordon - KC
This is the most obvious choice. Reminds me a lot of David Wright. He's been a little shaky thus far but that's to be expected I guess...I'd probably bat him clean-up too.

SS - Troy Tulowitzki - COL
Love the name and love the game. This guy is a 1st-class Dirt Bag (LB St.) and he has some good power. Playing in Colorado won't hurt either. He turned an unassisted triple play earlier last week so....yea I'm taking him.

SS is a pretty strong position here. Guy's like Stephen Drew (ARI), and Brandon Wood (LAA) and also great selections. You really can't go wrong with any of them....

LF - Billy Butler - KC
He's considered by many to be the next coming of Edgar Martinez and by some to be the best DH prospect ever. Position-wise he plays corner OF, and since I'm no fan of AL ball and it's DH I'm not having one. Butler plays LF on my squad and batts 5th behind teammate Gordon.

CF - Chris Young - ARI
I think he'll be a 20/20 guy this year and contend for NL ROY. I like him over Dukes (TB) who I think got a little over-hyped with the fast start and all. For the long haul I want Young for sure and He's batting leadoff.

RF- Delmon Young - TB
Yep...this is a no-brainer too. No real temper problems so far, which seems to be the only real knack on this kid and he has potential 40/40 written all over him (although not this year). a 3->4 combo of Young->Gordon in the batting order looks good to me. This kid will be a star.


Starting Rotation
1. Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS)- I want to find out for certain whether the Gyro exists or not
2. Phillip Hughes (NYY)- Took a no-no into the 6th before leaving earlier this week....he'll be a stud
3. Mike Pelfrey (NYM)- He can hit upwards to 98 and has a good sinker. I think he'll do well this year especially if injuries continue to plague that staff.
4. Homer Bailey (CIN)- He's on the DL now but everybody loves him (could care less for his hair) and he's significantly better than a lot of the pitchers they have starting right now. I know he's on the DL so I'm going to pick a 6th Starter for good measure.
5.Tim Lincecum (SF)-He's lights-out amazing.
6. Matt Garza (MIN)-He had success at 4 different levels of play last year and the kid was good...USA Today Minor League POY in fact. He takes Homer Bailey's spot on the rotation while he gets healthy.

Batting Order
1. Chris Young (ARI)- CF
2. Howie Kendrick (LAA) - 2B
3. Delmon Young (TB) - RF
4. Alex Gordon (KC) - 3B
5. Billy Butler (KC) - LF
6. Troy Tulowitzki (COL) - SS
7. Joe Votto (CIN) - 1B
8. Carlos Ruiz (PHI) - C
9. Pitcher

It's all personal opinion and I respect your opinions and wanna know what changes you'd make in creating your own all-rookie team.