While everyone, myself included to a lesser degree, has been following the amazing start of Milwaukee Bucks rookie Brandon Jennings, another rookie has been even better.
After his 55-point effort in just his seventh NBA game, many “experts” 
including
ESPN’s Jalen Rose, proclaimed that Jennings had already locked up the Rookie of the
Year Award. But upon further review and a much more realistic viewpoint that understands
the season is 82 games not seven, Jennings has been one of the league’s top rookie
just not the best.
I’m not going to say he’s locked up the award just yet, but Sacremento Kings rookie
Tyreke Evans is my pick to win ROY honors. The 6-6 rookie is listed as a point guard
but has displayed the versatility you love in a backcourt player and will only continue
to develop his already impressive 20-year-old frame leading to more matchup options.
Evans is averaging 19.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals thus far
and has helped the Kings to a 9-8 start. This is a Kings team that was woefully bad
last year. Jennings on the other hand has been equally impressive, averaging 21.5
points, 5.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Both of the first-year
players have the goods to become future NBA All-Stars and both could one day battle
for league scoring honors but at 6-1, 169 pounds, I just don’t see Jennings being
able to withstand the rigors of the NBA on a daily basis and it might be showing already.
One of the most amazing factors in Jennings incredible start was that he was averaging
nearly 25 games per contest and was doing it while connecting on nearly 50 percent
of his shots. Since his 55-point game, Jennings has eclipsed the 20-point mark just
twice while shooting at a 36-percent clip.
Those are the type of numbers we expected from the talented rookie and those will
be the type of numbers he will likely end the season with. Evans’ numbers have actually
been getting better as the season has continued and I fully expect he’ll be able to
sustain, if not build on his early season success. Jennings is a talented player and
will likely have a great NBA career when all is said and done, but I’ll take Evans
right now and I’ll take Evans five years from now, too.
In the sports memorabilia industry, one of the biggest keys is latching on to a player
and his collectibles before he becomes a superstar. Because he hasn’t yet posted a
double nickel and because he plays in Sacramento, Evans is still somewhat under the
radar, but he won’t be for much longer.
I saw both players at the McDonald’s All-American game in Milwaukee a couple years
back and left thinking the 2009 roookie class could be a very special one. But despite
the fact that other players came in with more acclaim, I left the Bradley Center thinking
that Evans was one of those truly special players that don’t come along very often
and so far, he’s been exactly that.
For those of you who feel I’m hooking up my trailer to the wrong horse, consider the
fact that I live in Wisconsin and have been a Bucks fan dating back to the days Kareem
was Lou and the Bucks were a yearly contender for the title. I love the Bucks and
love Jennings, too, and would love nothing more than Jennings to keep up his early
pace. But Evans is simply the better player.
Continue reading about Not So Deep Thoughts: NBA’s Top Rookie Might Surprise You »
