The NBA Draft Apocalypse - 2013/14 NBA Rookie Impact - Part 1

Truer words may never have been spoken.

It seems very fitting that David Stern's last NBA draft was one of the craziest in recent memory. While the actual draft night was widely entertaining, I don't expect this year's crop of rookies to be the same. The initial (first year) impact of the 2013 NBA rookie class will be underwhelming. The reason for this are:

1. Injuries - The major injuries to Len (#5) and Noel (#6) will likely wipe out a good portion of their rookie seasons. Although each may be cleared to play before Christmas, I assume their teams will take an overly cautious approach.

2. Withdrawals - Both Marcus Smart (potential #1 overall and ROY candidate) and Dario Saric (rumored to go #13 to Dallas) withdrew from the draft.

3. International Players - There were 7 international players drafted in the first round and 6 drafted in the second round. At least 3 of the first round selections and maybe all of the second round selections will be stashed overseas for this upcoming season. Currently, Schroeder,Antetokounmpo, and Karasev are slated to play in the NBA this season, but I would not be surprised if one or two end up overseas.

4. The 2014 Draft - The uber-tanking that will take place during the upcoming NBA season will be unprecedented. In fact, it's already started. The 76ers traded their 23 y/o All Star point guard for a 2014 lottery pick and an inured Nerlens Noel. Could the Sixers sit Noel the entire season???? Yep. May other talented rookies end up playing big DLeague minutes instead of NBA minutes. Yep.

I think you get the point. So without further ado, here is your 2013/14 NBA Rookie Impact Breakdown.

All Rookie Team

Making the All Rookie First Team has as much to do with talent as it does with opportunity. During the 2012 draft, if Jeremy Lamb (#12 to the Thunder via Houston) and Bradley Beal (#3 to Washington) swapped teams, Lamb makes the NBA All Rookie Team and Beal is a 2013 NBA D-League All-Star.

Trey Burke         - Should start from day 1
CJ McCollum        - Not a starter, but should play big minutes
Victor Oladipo     - Assuming a Afflalo/Bledsoe trade
Otto Porter        - Should start from day 1
Cody Zeller        - The Cats have no non-guards who can score

What do all of these players have in common? They all have talent and big minutes waiting for them.

 

All Dark Horse Team

These players are talented, but lack the starting job/big minute role to slide into. However, each should get better and acquire more playing time as the season progresses. Depending on injuries and opportunities, one or more of these players could move up to the All Rookie Team.

K. Caldwell-Pope  - Knight may go back to PG, so KCP can start.
Tim Hardaway, Jr. - Knicks rookies always seem to have impact.

Shabazz Muhammad  - A lot of talent, may be worked in slowly.
Gorgui Dieng      - Wolves ar thin at C & Pek is injury prone.

 

All Tantalizing Team

We can call this this the "John Henson" division. These are the players who get their fan bases excited by posting MONSTER games here and there, but are clearly not ready to consistently produce.

Dennis Schroeder - Rondo w/ a 3ptr? Props to Danny Ainge Ferry
Ben McLemore     - Talented, but super young.
Anthony Bennett  - Mike Brown will work in the #1 pick slowly.
Ricky Ledo       - The Bucks no SGs. Ledo will get his shot.
Alex Len         - Len will have his moments late in the season.

 

All 'Uh Oh' Team

In such a flat draft with so many questions lingering on some of the top players, a few of these guys will undoubtedly flop. These are your primary candidates. Sorry 76er fans.


MCW           - Picture Rondo without a jump shot.. wait...
Kelly Olynyk  - Tall, bad athlete, & T-Rex arms. What's not to like?
Nerlens Noel  - Undersized & 2 bad knee injuries
Mason Plumlee - Champions are built on 23 y/o rookies... Oh wait.
Rudy Gobert   - Super tall and an worse athlete than Olynyk.

 

All "Wait Until Next Year Or The Year After" Team 

Euro stashes, DLeaguers, and raw prospects. When these players make thier impact on the NBA, it will likely be during the 2014/15 season... or beyond.

Giannis Antetokounmpo - Giannis went 2 spots AFTER Olynyk
Sergey Karasev        - Sergey Novak
Steven Adams          - Your Austin Toros starting center!
Lucas Nogueira        - Luv this kid!
Livio Jean-Charles    - In R. C. Buford we trust. Livio will 
                        probably end up the best player in 
                        the entire draft.


And a final word from former Danny Ainge Draft crush Robert Swift: