Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams: Top Contenders for the Rookie of the year award next NBA season
After missing the entire 2009-2010 season, Los Angeles Clippers first overall pick Blake Griffin made a comeback in the last season and was still considered a rookie. Playing the first season with Clippers, the 22-year-old Griffin
showcased a combination athleticism, strength and leaping abilities which helped him to finish with a tremendous average of 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. Consequently, Griffin was honoured with the NBA Rookie of the year award
Here is a list of top newcomers from this year’s draft who are expected to clinch the Rookie of the Year award in the 2011-2012 season.
Kyrie Irving
Known for his incredible scoring strength, Duke University’s superstar Kyrie Irving was drafted with the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The depleted Cavaliers were looking for a serious talent in the 2011 NBA Draft
to fill the gap which was created with the departure of LeBron James, and they found that in Irving.
The 19-year-old Kyrie Irving definitely has the talent to bring Cleveland Cavaliers back on the track and the responsibility that has been placed on the young shoulders of Irving is what will encourage him to stay persistent in
the next season. The team expects Kyrie to be the best man on the team and he will be looking forward to win the confidence in the first year which makes him on of the top contenders for the Rookie of the year award.
Derrick Williams
Talking about versatility, athleticism and great basketball skills, one rookie that comes to mind is Arizona Wildcats’ distinguished small forward Derrick Williams.
Williams was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the second overall pick in this year’s draft and he is easily on the list to clinch the NBA Rookie of the Year award in the 2011-2012 season.
Derrick William’s role in Timberwolves is almost the same like Kyrie Irving’s in Cleveland Cavaliers. Minnesota Timberwolves finished with the worst overall record in the last two seasons and they needed a player who can carry
them out of their adversity.
Derrick Williams is the kind of a player who has the potential to take any team on the top. Irrespective of where will Timberwolves finish in the next season, one thing is sure that with the presence of Williams, Timberwolves won’t
be finishing with the worst overall record for the third successive time.
Brandon Knight
The 19-year-old Brandon Knight might not be very muscular and oversized among the 2011 draft picks. However, Knight’s extra special scoring abilities and incredible agility is what makes him a special pick at the point guard position
and for the NBA Rookie of the Year in the next season.
Detroit Pistons used their eight pick on Brandon Knight to complete the search of adding a prolific scorer on the roster. Since the last two seasons, clinching a play-off berth has become rather a difficult task for the Pistons
as their offensive game has subsided to some extent.
With the arrival Kentucky’s superstar Brandon Knight, Detroit Piston has become strong on the front court once again. Knight is a phenomenal leader and he can help Detroit Pistons in the same way he spearheaded Kentucky Wildcats
in to the Final Four before making himself eligible for the NBA Draft.
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