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Rating the Rookies

© Kirk Raymond

Rating the Rookies:

Thank goodness that the seemingly interminable "playoff" stuff is finally over and we can get back to the serious business of fantasy basketball.

The off-season deck shuffling has begun as it does with the Draft. For fantasy purposes, the real action will occur after July 1 when the free agent signing period begins. That's when we'll know what uniform Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Eddie Jones, Jalen Rose, Austin Croshere, Maurice Taylor and a host of others will be wearing.

For now, we have to satisfy ourselves with analyzing the draft and how the NBA latest infusion of talent might shake out fantasy-wise. Those of you who play in keeper leagues will be interested. Those of you who don't, there really is no need to worry about this draft.

This was a potential draft not a performance draft. Aside from #1 pick Kenyon Martin, who comes with some formidable injury baggage; there are no sure-fire first year impact players. However, a few years down the road, this could be remembered as a pretty good draft.

1. Kenyon Martin - New Jersey Nets - Clearly; Kenyon will start and has the potential to be a solid contributor to a fantasy roster. The Nets lone low post presence should get his share of touches and gets to gobble up off the late, lamented Jayson Williams rebounds. A good long term buy in a keeper league, mid round selection in a start up league.

2. Stomile Swift - Vancouver Grizzlies - Another guy who steps into a starting role assuming the Griz move Othella Harrington as has been widely rumored. Don't expect him to be a featured option right away though. Abdur-Rahim, Dickerson and Bibby have priority.

3. Darius Miles - LA Clippers - If Jerry West believes he's the best player in this draft, then he is. But not this year. Maybe never if allowed to fester in the Clip joint. But, if you can wait a couple of years, and the Clippers turn things around; he may be the one perennial All-Star to come out of this draft.

4. Marcus Fizer - Chicago Bulls - Does Crumbs Krause think Marcus is a small forward? At 6' 8" 260 I hope not. Buzz is that Fizer is on his way to Portland in a deal for Jermaine O'Neal. If that happens, Marcus will not see serious minutes.

5. Mike Miller - Orlando Magic - Right now, Miller is the Magic starting small forward. Of course, that would change a bit if the Magic landed Grant Hill. or Tracy McGrady. Pretty safe bet that Miller will be backing up someone who is a whole lot better by training camp.