Early Impressions of NBA Preseason
October 10th 2008 19:14
The NBA Preseason started this week and while it is still very early, I have some early observations heading into the season:
New Jersey vs. Miami – this was the first preseason game that I watched to any extent. I watched the first half of the replay of the game on NBATV last night. I was impressed with Miami early – DWade was playing effortlessly and Michael Beasley was scoring just as effortlessly. I think that Miami is going to rebound this season and they are going to have a shot at getting back into the playoffs this year.
The sleeper of this year’s draft is . . . Chris Douglas-Roberts. CDR came of the bench in last night’s game and had 12 points on 6-6 shooting before I even blinked. I said during the draft that there was no way he should have fallen to the 40th pick and that New Jersey was lucky that he fell to them. I’m not saying that he will be Rookie of the Year or make the All- Rookie team but I think he will turn some heads and have a solid rookie season.
Is it just me or does Washington have bad luck? The Wizards found out this offseason that Gilbert Arenas will miss training camp and at least the first season of the month because of a third knee surgery. Then in the team’s first preseason game Brendan Haywood tore a ligament in his right wrist and could possible miss four to six months. Also, Antawn Jamison went down with a knee injury that was later diagnosed as a bruised knee. Jamison should be ready for the regular season but the Wizards will be without two of their normal starters. I really think that the Wizards will take a step back this year and could possibly miss the playoffs this year.
Early impressions of the rookies – From the looks of it, there will be a contested race for this year’s Rookie of the Year award. Greg Oden has looked pretty good in his first couple of games coming off of knee surgery. Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook , and OJ Mayo have also received positive reports to begin this preseason. Other lesser-heralded rookies have also had good showings. I spoke earlier of Chris Douglas-Roberts, but also guys like Rudy Fernandez (of Olympic fame) and JaVale McGee have had pretty good beginnings. This looks like a pretty good year ahead for the rookie class.
New Jersey vs. Miami – this was the first preseason game that I watched to any extent. I watched the first half of the replay of the game on NBATV last night. I was impressed with Miami early – DWade was playing effortlessly and Michael Beasley was scoring just as effortlessly. I think that Miami is going to rebound this season and they are going to have a shot at getting back into the playoffs this year.
The sleeper of this year’s draft is . . . Chris Douglas-Roberts. CDR came of the bench in last night’s game and had 12 points on 6-6 shooting before I even blinked. I said during the draft that there was no way he should have fallen to the 40th pick and that New Jersey was lucky that he fell to them. I’m not saying that he will be Rookie of the Year or make the All- Rookie team but I think he will turn some heads and have a solid rookie season.
Is it just me or does Washington have bad luck? The Wizards found out this offseason that Gilbert Arenas will miss training camp and at least the first season of the month because of a third knee surgery. Then in the team’s first preseason game Brendan Haywood tore a ligament in his right wrist and could possible miss four to six months. Also, Antawn Jamison went down with a knee injury that was later diagnosed as a bruised knee. Jamison should be ready for the regular season but the Wizards will be without two of their normal starters. I really think that the Wizards will take a step back this year and could possibly miss the playoffs this year.
Early impressions of the rookies – From the looks of it, there will be a contested race for this year’s Rookie of the Year award. Greg Oden has looked pretty good in his first couple of games coming off of knee surgery. Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook , and OJ Mayo have also received positive reports to begin this preseason. Other lesser-heralded rookies have also had good showings. I spoke earlier of Chris Douglas-Roberts, but also guys like Rudy Fernandez (of Olympic fame) and JaVale McGee have had pretty good beginnings. This looks like a pretty good year ahead for the rookie class.
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