Rookie Challenge MVP? Could be…Everyone seems to think this year’s Rookie Challenge will be an insane blowout. And, unfortunately, we’re in that camp as well. While we’ll always like the Rookie/Sophomore run for it’s high school All-American game type feel (No D, a ton of dunks, playground moves), the end result can get ugly sometimes … and this year looks like one of those times.
SOPHOMORES
This squad is stacked, most notably with Chris Paul and Deron Williams, who you could easily make cases for as ‘07 All-Stars, let alone Rookie Challenge participants. And we’ve heard from some good sources that is Deron is especially miffed about his All-Star snub; meaning he could take those frustrations out on the poor Class of ‘06 rookies.
Outside of CP3 and Deron, the Sophomores backcourt is loaded with Ray Felton (14 ppg, 7.5 apg), Monta Ellis (17 ppg) and Luther Head (120-plus treys this year). Ellis is the kind of guy who can drop 35 in a game like this with no problem, and we see Felton wreaking havoc with steals and lobs.
In the frontcourt, the Sophomores have Andrew Bogut (11.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg), Danny Granger, David Lee and Andrew Bynum. Granger is turning into a marquee player in Indiana, Lee is one of the League’s top rebounders, and Bynum has shined when given enough playing time this year.
ROOKIES
A lot of experts said the ‘06 Draft was weak, and their claims will only gain credibility if the Rooks get their teeth kicked in Friday night. It’s not that the Rookies don’t have talent; they just don’t have any established stars like some of the Sophomores.
The two biggest names on the Rookie roster are Brandon Roy and Adam Morrison, also the two front runners for Rookie of the Year. Roy has bounced back from an early-season heel injury to become the second-best player on the Blazers (behind Zach Randolph), and is already hitting game-winners and getting respect calls from the refs. Morrison has been streaky and played some truly horrible games, but when he is feelin’ it, he’s capable of dropping 30.
The Rookies also have Andrea Bargnani, who is showing more promise every night and we think could flourish in the freewheeling Rookie Challenge setting (did you see that insane no-look bounce pass on the move he had a while back?). Randy Foye has been clutch here and there for the Wolves, Paul Millsap is a beast down low for Utah, and Rudy Gay is doing just like he did at UConn: great some nights, invisible on others. The rest of the Rookie roster includes Jordan Farmar, Jorge Garbajosa and Marcus Williams.
WHO’S GONNA WIN?
It’s impossible to pick against the Sophomores, especially if Paul, Deron and/or Felton come to play with purpose. And we don’t know which guy on the Rookie team is stopping Monta if he goes into straight scorer mode. Plus, the Sophs have too much size and bulk (Bogut, Bynum, Lee) for the Rookies, who only really have Millsap in the block. This one will be entertaining as usual, but don’t be shocked if the final score gets ugly.
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