by Valor on Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:29 am
2010 NLSC Rookies/Big 3 Rookies Season Openers Preview
October 28th, 2010
Milwaukee Bucks (Patrick Lynch) @ Boston Celtics (John Wall)
Milwaukee
C. Andrew Bogut
PF. Craig Smith
SF. Patrick Lynch
SG. Michael Redd
PG. Ricky Rubio
6. Luke Ridnour
Boston
C. Kendrick Perkins
PF. Kevin Garnett
SF. Paul Pierce
SG. Jamal Tinsley
PG. John Wall
6. Charlie Villanueva
The Milwaukee Bucks will be playing the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden on their season opener, with the 2010 number 1 overall pick Patrick Lynch of the Bucks going against the 3rd overall pick John Wall of the Boston Celtics. Lynch, a 6'7" forward out of Duke, is a solid player with an all-rounded game; Lynch, alongside the Bucks' number 2 overall pick in 2009 Ricky Rubio, are expected to be the future faces of the franchise and lift the team back into relevancy in the NBA. John Wall on the other hand, was drafted by the Indiana Pacers at #3 before being traded to the 2008 NBA Champions Boston Celtics. A 6'4" guard out of Kentucky, Wall has been highly publicized since high school, and is considered one of the top prospects entering the NBA. Quick, athletic, flashy and effective, Wall is expected to be the boost that the Celtics need to return to the finals and capture their 18th championship.
ESPN Prediction: Lynch will win in the match-up statistically against Wall but the Celtics will win the game with their superior talent and experience.
October 29th, 2010
Miami Heat (Bol) @ Washington Wizards
Miami
C. Hakeem Bol
PF. Michael Beasley
SF. Tracy McGrady
SG. Dwyane Wade
PG. Raymond Felton
6. Mario Chalmers
Washington
C. Roy Hibbert
PF. Antawn Jamison
SF. Caron Butler
SG. James Harden
PG. Gilbert Arenas
6. Rafer Alston
The second overall pick and the Miami Heat, who are considered one of the favorites for the championship after a highly successful offseason that saw the acquisition of Tracy McGrady and Raymond Felton, will start the 2010 season in Washington going up against Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards. Bol, a 7'4", 335 pound center from Kansas, is the son of former NBA great Manuet Bol and the godson of the great Hakeem Olajuwon, he is seen as the torch-bearer from recently retired big man Shaquille O'Neal as the most dominating force in the NBA.
ESPN Prediction: The Miami Heat will walk away with the victory, and Bol should be able to put on a show against 3rd year center Roy Hibbert as well as his backup Javale McGee without any major problems.
New York Knicks (Tirieux ) @ New Jersey Nets
New York
C. Glen Davis
PF. David Lee
SF. Al Harrington
SG. Anthony Parker
PG. Chris Duhon
6. Thierry Tirieux
New Jersey
C. Yao Ming
PF. Sean Williams
SF. Trevor Ariza
SG. Leo Lai
PG. Chauncey Billups
6. Ray Allen
Thierry Tirieux and the New York Knicks will open up their season in New Jersey against their cross-town rival Nets. The Knicks saw their Free Agent dream smashed into pieces as everyone not named LeBron James chose not to opt out, while LeBron decided to return to the Cavs for the most money available, Donnie Walsh then lost his mind and spent all his cap space on players like Glen Davis, Anthony Johnson, and Anthony Morrow, effectively destroying their chances at the '11 FA class as well as any playoff hopes. Thirieux, a 6'8" swingman out of Argentina, is a highly athletic player with highlight finishes, he still has long ways to go in terms of his defensive ability, but sky's the limit for him; prior to the Parker signing, he was seen to be able to start for the Knicks, however, since Parker was signed, Thierry will now be coming off the bench as the team's 6th man. The Nets, on the other hand, cruised through the preseason with a 6-1 record. With a new coach, new system, and a bunch of new players, this team looks to reach new heights. Last year's rookie and sixth man of the year Leo Lai is now starting at the 2 while newly signed Ray Allen comes off the bench to provide the firepower, the team is built around dominate center Yao Ming, who is coming off a career season after being acquired by the Nets, while the team operates now under the famous triangle offense and under Scott Skiles, looks to become one of the best defensive clubs in the league.
ESPN Prediction: Thierry should be able to make large contributions in his limited minutes playing in Mike D'Antoni's run and gun offense, but the Nets will take this easily.
Chicago Bulls @ Minnesota Timberwolves (Sit)
Chicago
C. Joakim Noah
PF. Tyrus Thomas
SF. John Salmons
SG. Ben Gordon
PG. Derrick Rose
6. Kirk Hinrich/Sun Yue
Minnesota
C. Hasheem Thabeet
PF. Al Jefferson
SF. Mike Miller
SG. Randy Foye
PG. Will Sit
6. Paul Millsap/Danilo Gallinari
Fourth overall pick Will Sit and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be hosting the visiting Chicago Bulls in their season opener. Sit, a 6'4" point guard out of North Carolina, is a shoot first, shoot second, pass third guard that has a sweet stroke alongside his speed and quickness. The Australian Born Chinese lit up the preseason games averaging over 23 points a game, and is expected to be the number 2 option behind Al Jefferson. However, Sit will have his hands full in his NBA debut as the T'Wolves take on former Rookie of the year Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Coming off a very successful season, in which they reached the Eastern Conference Finals before being knocked out by the Magic in 6 games, the Bulls open up the season with only one goal - to win a championship.
ESPN Prediction: Sit lights up the scoreboard and a Bulls victory.
Golden State Warriors (Must) @ Dallas Mavericks
Golden State
C. Andris Biedrins
PF. Brandan Wright
SF. Shawn Marion
SG. Monta Ellis
PG. Jordan Farmar
6. Martti Must/Stephen Jackson
Dallas
C. Marcus Camby
PF. Dirk Nowitzki
SF. Bruce Bowen
SG. Jason Terry
PG. Jason Kidd
6. Jerry Stackhouse/Matt Barnes
The Golden State Warriors and their 12th overall pick Martti Must will open up their season in Dallas, where they'll take on Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. Must, a 6'9" power forward out of Arizona who originated from Estonia, is a typical European player that has a sweet shooting stroke which extends out beyond the arc. Originally predicted to be drafted as high as 7th, Must fell down to the Warriors at 12 as teams either question his athletic ability or drafted based on needs; Don Nelson, who is known for his unorthodox lineups, loves the shooting big man and quickly told the team to pick him up. Must will be coming off the bench behind Brandan Wright as the team's sixth man and should see plenty of action on the floor.
ESPN Prediction: Must should have a decent night coming off the bench and would knock down some good shots, however, since the Warriors really stink, the experienced and talent-filled Mavericks would have no problems dismantling Golden State. Still, Martti would benefit from watching and playing against Dirk Nowitzki, who plays the same style as he does and is one of the best, if not the best, at it.
Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers (Cruz)
Orlando
C. Dwight Howard
PF. Rashard Lewis
SF. Vince Carter
SG. Courtney Lee
PG. Jameer Nelson
6. Mickael Pietrus
Philadelphia
C. Samuel Dalembert
PF. Elton Brand
SF. Linas Klezia
SG. Andre Iguodala
PG. Louis Williams
6. Brandon Bass
The 8th overall pick in the 2010 Draft Carl Cruz and the 76ers will open up at home against the defending back to back Eastern Conference Champions Orlando Magic and their near-All-Star roster that is front-lined by Dwight 'superman' Howard. A 6'1" guard out of the Philippines, Cruz is the typical pass first point guard that runs the team and makes his teammates better. However, it is unlikely that Cruz would see a lot of action on the court as the Sixers have Louis Williams starting at the point and Quincy Douby as his primary backup. Cruz, if he gets to play, would be expected to distribute the ball nicely and efficiently, as he has done all his life playing in the Philippines league.
ESPN Prediction: The Magic will cruise along from start to finish; the Sixers are simply no match for a team that features Dwigh Howard, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson, Mickael Pietrus and Courtney Lee.
