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Rookie Watch

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James

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Latest Rookie Rankings from Nba.com


. Emeka Okafor, F-C, Charlotte (No. 2)
Stats: 14.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 0.9 (26.5 PRA)
Upcoming: vs. Orl. (3/21), vs. Pho. (3/23), at Orl. (3/24), vs. Mia. (3/26)
Breakdown: Okafor has registered double-digit scoring in nine of 11 games in March and is averaging 16.4 points and 10.6 rebounds over the last five. Ranks first among all rookies in scoring, rebounding, minutes and double-doubles.


2. Dwight Howard, F, Orlando (No. 1)
Stats: 10.6 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 0.9 APG (21.4 PRA)
Upcoming: at Cha. (3/21), vs. Cha. (3/24), vs. Pho. (3/26)
Breakdown: Howard, the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, will go head-to-head with Okafor, the second overall pick, in back-to-back games this week. While Okafor is putting up better numbers this season, his team has been eliminated from playoff contention. Howard, on the other hand, is averaging nearly a double-double for the Magic, who are in the running for the eighth playoff spot in the East.


3. Ben Gordon, G, Chicago (No. 3)
Stats: 14.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.8 APG (19.3 PRA)
Upcoming: vs. Atl. (3/21), at Tor. (3/23), at Bos. (3/25), vs. Ind. (3/26)
Breakdown: The Bulls bench, led by the rookie from UConn, is averaging a league-high 38.4 points per game on the season while the Bulls hold their opponents to the third lowest point total in the NBA at 25.1 points per game. Gordon is a major factor in the 33 victories the team has collected this year, as Gordon averages 16.0 of the team's 36.6 bench points per victory.


4. Andre Iguodala, F, Philadelphia (No. 9)
Stats: 8.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.9 APG (17.1 PRA)
Upcoming: vs. Det. (3/23), vs. Tor. (3/25), at Lakers (3/27)
Breakdown: Iguodala is the only player on the Sixers team to start every game this season and became only the fourth rookie in franchise history to have 100 or more steals in their rookie season. As for the why you should continue to include Iguodala in your lineup: He ranks among the rookie leaders in scoring (fifth), rebounds (fifth), assists (second) and minutes per game (second).


5. Jameer Nelson, G, Orlando (No. 20)
Stats: 7.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.6 APG (12.2 PRA)
Upcoming: at Cha. (3/21), vs. Cha. (3/24), vs. Pho. (3/26)
Breakdown: Nelson has started 12 of Orlando's last 13 games and may be in the Magic's starting lineup for the foreseeable future depending on the length of suspension handed down to Steve Francis. In 12 games as a starter, Nelson has tallied 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest.


6. Josh Childress, G-F, Atlanta (No. 6)
Stats: 8.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.6 APG (15.7 PRA)
Upcoming: at Chi. (3/21), vs. Pho. (3/22), at S.A. (3/25), vs. Tor. (3/26)
Breakdown: Childress is expected back in the Hawks' starting lineup after missing Friday night's game against the Knicks because of the flu. The rookie from Stanford is averaging 14.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists over his last five.


7. Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks (No. 17)
Stats: 7.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.6 APG (15.1 PRA)
Upcoming: at Chi. (3/21), vs. Pho. (3/22), at S.A. (3/25), vs. Tor. (3/26)
Breakdown: Where to find Josh Smith in Atlanta? Look near the rim. Eighty-three of Smith's 175 field goals this season have come on dunks. Smith is responsible for 32.8 percent of the team's 253 slams.


8. Nenad Krstic, F-C, New Jersey (No. 24, 2002)
Stats: 8.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 0.9 APG (14.5 PRA)
Upcoming: vs. Ind. (3/22), vs. Mem. (3/24), vs. Min. (3/26)
Breakdown: Krstic scored in double-figures all week as the Nets collected three victories to no losses. Krstic is tied for fifth place among rookies in scoring at 8.7 points per game and ranks seventh in rebounding among rookies at 4.9 per game.


9. Andres Nocioni, F, Chicago (Undrafted)
Stats: 7.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.3 APG (13.4 PRA)
Upcoming: vs. Atl. (3/21), at Tor. (3/23), at Bos. (3/25), vs. Ind. (3/26)
Breakdown: The end of an 82-game schedule can be grueling, just ask Andres Nocioni. On a team playing through its share of bumps and bruises, Nocioni will play through Sunday's removal of an impacted molar. The rookie from Argentina is also suffering from a deep thigh bruise.


10. Tony Allen, G, Boston (No. 25)
Stats: 6.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 0.9 APG (10.6 PRA)
Upcoming: at N.Y. (3/23), vs. Chi. (3/25), at Det. (3/26)
Breakdown: Allen makes his way back to the top 10 this week after averaging 12.3 points and 3.8 rebounds over his last four contests -- all starts for the Celtics who have gone 11-1 since the trade that brought Antoine Walker back to Boston.
 
I really think Dwight is the best rookie right now. If he was put in the same situation that Emeka is in with Charlotte I think he would be averaging some monster numbers. Hes gonna be dominant in a few years imo.
 
Okafor right now probably deserves the nod. Howard has been solid without being outstanding. Gordon has been unbelievable. For Gordon to be a chance at ROY whilst playing every game basically from the bench is an awesome achievement.
 
While Okafor will probably win the award, I believe Dwight Howard is the better player (despite the slight edge to Okafor in the numbers). Howard is really hurt having to play with Francis. You see a frustrated Dwight yelling for Francis to give him the ball and Steve-O does a lot of dribbling and then shoots.

Okafor Wins Third NBA got Milk? Rookie Of The Month Award

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For the third time this season, Bobcats forward Emeka Okafor earned the NBA’s Eastern Conference got Milk? Rookie of the Month award. Okafor also captured the honor in November and December.
The 6-10, 252-pound forward averaged 16.5 points and 12.4 rebounds while appearing in 11 of the team’s 12 games in April. He recorded eight consecutive double-doubles from April 1 to April 13 – adding to his rookie-leading total of 47.

Okafor recorded back-to-back 20-plus points games to begin the month -- scoring 29 points against Toronto on April 1 and 28 points at Chicago on April 2. On April 10, he recorded one of his more impressive double-doubles, scoring 19 points with 18 rebounds at Memphis.

Okafor closed out his rookie campaign scoring 16 points and tying his career high with 19 rebounds in the Bobcats’ 97-86 win over the defending NBA Champion Detroit Pistons on April 20.

The second overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, Okafor led all rookies this season with averages of 15.1 points and 10.9 rebounds in 35.6 minutes. He finished the regular season tied for second in the NBA with 3.8 offensive rebounds and fourth overall in rebounding and double-doubles.
Livingston Named Western Conference Rookie Of The Month

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Clippers Guard Shaun Livingston today was named the Western Conference got milk? Rookie of the Month for games played in April. Emeka Okafor of the Charlotte Bobcats took the honors in the Eastern Conference.

Livingston was in the top five in seven categories among Western Conference rookies this month, ranking first in assists (7.4 apg), steals (1.4 spg) and minutes (35.9 mpg), third in scoring (11.0 ppg), field goal percentage (.448) and free-throw percentage (.750) and fifth in rebounding (4.4 rpg). Livingston recorded career-highs in points (18), rebounds (eight), assists (11), steals (six) and minutes (46) in games during April and scored the game-winning field goal in a 104-102 victory over Charlotte.

Here is a recap of Livingston's month:
April 5 @ Charlotte: Scored 17 points and added nine assists, eight rebounds, six steals and one block in a 104-102 win over the Bobcats.
April 9 @ San Antonio: Tallied a career-high 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal in a 125-124 double-overtime loss to the Spurs.
April 12 vs. Utah: Recorded 15 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and one steal in a 94-85 win over the Jazz.
April 20th @ New Orleans: Recorded 17 points, 3 assists, eight rebounds and one steal in the Clippers' season-ending 86-75 win over the Hornets.
 
IF it werent for his injury, I think Livingston could have contended for ROY.
 
I agree. Shaun has a great understanding of the game and throws incredible passes. He could be little Penny part 2 someday.
 

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