The NBA is doing something different than the normal Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend in Orlando this year. Instead of teams featuring the best rookies and second-year players facing off, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley will each be drafting teams from a pool of the top rookies and second-year players.
The NBA announced the pool today. Only one Sacramento King -- DeMarcus Cousins -- was included, leaving rookies Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette on the outside. Nine players from each class were picked; the rookie guards who made it over Zeke and Jimmer were Kyrie Irving, Ricky Rubio, Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker and MarShon Brooks. Kawhi Leonard, Tristan Thompson, Markieff Morris and Derrick Williams also made the cut.
It's really too bad neither of our prominent rookies will make the game (unless there's an injury replacement for the nicked-up Brooks); Cousins, Omri Casspi and Tyreke Evans have been loads of fun in this event. Cousins should be no worse than the No. 4 pick in this game, and would be my pick at No. 2 behind Blake Griffin. See the full pool at SBNation.com.
0 recs | 36 comments
THEY LEFT OUT WHITESIDE?!?!?!
lodisacfan - February 8, 2012
Slam_Dunk - February 8, 2012
I love this
raiderking21 - February 8, 2012
Does Monroe owe Shaq money or something?
wallywagon11 - February 8, 2012
He's got a cute mouth
hozr - February 8, 2012
damn it was just reading the rookie list my bad
and this is glitchy as all hell
wallywagon11 - February 8, 2012
No data received
TheFifthMookie - February 8, 2012
Interesting concept
Enough to actually get me to tune in, I think.
otis29 - February 8, 2012
Tough, but fair
Love IT, but there are so many talented and highly touted rookie PGs and NaPGs, he wasn’t going to get a spot.
And Jimmer may make the game next year if he builds off of last night’s performance, but he clearly hasn’t earned a spot thus far.
SPTSJUNKIE - February 8, 2012
Don't care where the rest go
But it needs to be Griffin/Rubio vs. Wall/Cuz with Irving and Kemba as backup PGs.
thewaterispoison - February 8, 2012
Will Rubio go before Wall?
I’m guessing they alternate picking rooks and sophs? Too many guards for Jimmer and IT to get a sniff. Whoever picks 2nd should get 2 and 3.
13uppercut - February 8, 2012
DMC and Wall
together again…an alley oop machine.
polotown - February 8, 2012
Almost as much
of a machine as Rubio and Griffin will be.
13uppercut - February 8, 2012
I was hoping for Jimmer to IT alley-oop
A guy can dream
SharkKings49 - February 8, 2012
Cousins was a given, but I was hoping IT would slip in somehow.
Interesting new idea. I guess they figured the sophomore class would wipe out the rookies this year.
I suppose there is always a possibility IT could still go, if something happens, like life, to one of the players.
Slam_Dunk - February 8, 2012
Is there a chance of Griffin dropping out?
With a shortened season and the fact that he’s a starter in the All-Star game, I think there’s a strong chance he could drop out, adding another possible slot for a Soph.
alberto18 - February 8, 2012
If Griffin drops out, I feel DMC will be the #1 pick
Wall/Irving/Rubio are the 3 that may challenge DMC for #1, but why take a PG #1 when there will be a great PG waiting at your #2 pick.
I know its just a game for fun, but I won’t understand the logic if anyone (outside of Griffin) goes #1 over DMC.
SharkKings49 - February 8, 2012
Wall will be the #1 pick.
PGs own the All-star games.
caseycheesecake - February 8, 2012
Yes and there are multiple choices at the PG's but only one DeMarcus
and we have 2 big man GM’s selecting their roster. Cuz is 1st.
HighTops - February 9, 2012
Do you really think Chuck and Shaq are gonna have a draft strategy??
Shizzo - February 9, 2012
Marshon Brooks
Marshon Brooks is out with a broken toe. Wonder if Jimmer or IT could land as an injury replacement, unless Brooks gets better in time for the game. As an aside, Brooks has been a real impressive rookie…
VirginiaKingsFan - February 8, 2012
Hopefully Jimmer gets his spot
There will be zero defense. Think of all the threes.
thewaterispoison - February 9, 2012
No Favors of Wes Johnson
I’m thinking the Wolves and the Nets (if they would have elected to keep him) wish they didn’t pass on DMC.
SharkKings49 - February 8, 2012
number 2 pick?
not over Irving…. sorry DMC. this is a guards game. My guess is top 5
jadams12 - February 8, 2012
Banana Hands would have looked good as our SF.
IMNSHMFO
Balky Needs - February 8, 2012
Someone mention Hand Banana?
Olde Greg - February 8, 2012
"Tonight"
“You”
wallywagon11 - February 8, 2012
Carl-
What do you think he means? Tonight, you…
This my first post ever on str, i find this funny.
Dupue - February 8, 2012
A Jimmer handshake.
Slam_Dunk - February 9, 2012
DeMarcus really turned his season around when Westphal left.
His has taken significant steps forward with his conditioning and his decision making. Under Smart, he has also decided to address his attitude issues without losing any of his fire.
His improvement this year already has me excited to see what he can add to the mix next year. He is really starting to look like the center piece (no pun) that we were hoping for.
Jim Les - February 8, 2012
I love DMC.
He has the fire that can ignite greatness… I love IT also. They have an intangible leadership qualities.
Go Kings.
big-cuz fan - February 9, 2012
If Blake doesn't play
They gotta give the spot to Lin right?
thewaterispoison - February 9, 2012
Hell no.
VenomySnicket - February 9, 2012
I haven't been keeping up with the other sophs
Is Demarcus Cousins the best soph right now? I know “best” is broad but you can take it as you will. Just wanting an opinion as opposed to you trying to exactly answer my question.
Zuriel Smith - February 9, 2012
Blake Griffin
nuff said
Shizzo - February 9, 2012
Monroe is pretty legit too
wallywagon11 - February 9, 2012
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