Rookies

The season is winding down and this is a good time to take a look at the rookie crop in determining who were the smart GM's last June.

Without doubt (I hate to admit) Chris Paul is the runaway choice as rookie of the year. His ability to run a team is remarkable and he will be a fixture in the NBA for years, barring injury. The Atlanta Hawks had to choose between him and Marvin Williams and, as usual, they made the wrong choice. Marvin Williams, it says here, will never be more than a decent NBA player. I said prior to the draft that he had done nothing concrete to cement his position as an NBA prospect and while I think he will be ok, he was not worthy of the 2nd pick in the draft.

Andrew Bogut has been decent and will continue to be a very decent NBA player. Deron Williams will be a star in the not too distant future and I think he can be as good as Chris Paul, given that he has a size and strength advantage over Paul, who, himself, is pretty strong. Ray Felton has also had a terrific year and will be a solid NBA player.

I urged the Raptors to take Charlie Villanueva prior to the draft and he has made me look like a genius. (which I am) In my opinion he has been the 2nd best rookie this year and with his minutes increasing since the All Star break he is clearly showing that he will have a long and successful NBA career. Charlie V can do it all and at the small forward position there are few matchups in the league which are not in his favour. Some of the media thought the Raps should have taken Channing Frye, but I think Frye's best games could be behind him. He still plays small, doesn't rebound, can't defend the strong forward position and prefers to play outside rather than do the dirty work. He has been the beneficary of a New York media who have praised him and labeled him "untouchable" but I say get rid of him now while his value may be the greatest. The simple fact that Isiah and Larry think he's great is reason enough to doubt his future. The Knicks are in big trouble and they should consider a blockbuster trade including Frye as the bait.