The NBA regular season has come to a close and a number of our rookies have been putting in some pretty spectacular performances all season long. Whether our three top rookies started off hot like Brandon Jennings, came on strong towards the end like Steph Curry, or excelled all season long like Tyreke Evans, we have been treated to one of the most tightly contested Rookie of the Year campaigns in recent memory, nonetheless our 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year is……………

Tyreke Evans

20.1 ppg, 5.8 ast, 5.3 rebs, 1.5 stl

Ever since Chris Webber was traded out of town back in ’05, the Sacramento Kings have been searching for their next franchise player. I think they can officially end their search since undoubtedly they have found one in Tyreke Evans. From start to finish, Evans has been the most consistently good first year player in the NBA this season. Sure, Brandon Jennings may be a bit more flashy and dropped double nickels on the Warriors early in the season. Also true that 20 year old rookie, Steph Curry has exceeded expectations by showcasing his immense skills as a probable future All-Star at the point guard position and has 3 point range from anywhere in the building. But at the end of the day(or season), I just couldn’t vote against Evans, who became the 4th rookie in NBA history to average 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, joining Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and Lebron James. During the season, Evans led all rookies in scoring, finished in the Top 3 in rebounds, assists, and steals, and finished with nearly a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. He proved to not only want the pressure of being the Kings go-to-guy but also thrived when the game was on the line, and even drew comparisons to Dwyane Wade while doing it. As he continues to develop and add bulk to his frame, he undoubtedly will increase his scoring and rebounding numbers and in addition to possibly being selected to a double digit string of All-Star Games, he should easily one day be involved in the MVP race as well.

First Team

Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks

15.6 ppg, 5.8 ast, 3.5 reb, 1.3 stl, .375% 3 PT

Through the first month of the season, Jennings was arguably the league’s best rookie. Most people point to the 55 point explosion but Jennings, although inconsistent at times, has proven to be a game changing player who is capable of leading a squad to the playoffs. Because of his rather small frame, he was thought to be a defensive liability but has proved his critics wrong by averaging nearly a steal and a half per game. On offense he is streaky but has excelled as a floor general while playing the most meaningful minutes of game time than any other player making the 1st Team.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

17.2 ppg, 5.9 ast, 4.4 reb, 1.9 stl, .433% 3PT

Everyone predicted he would be a good 3 point shooter but no one new how good of an all around player Curry could be. During the latter part of the season and with Warriors’ leading scorer, Monta Ellis injured, Curry excelled averaging more than 20 ppg and setting an NBA record for 3 point shots made by a rookie. While the jury is still out on whether he can play alongside another elite player like Ellis, Golden State has a real talent who is a triple double just waiting to happen on any night. Defense, which was a concern coming out of college, has proven to also be one of his strengths by leading all rookies in steals at nearly 2 per game.

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

20.1 ppg, 5.8 ast, 5.3 reb, 1.5 stl

From start to finish, Tyreke was arguably this year’s top rookie. So much so, that some feel that he was snubbed in not getting a Western Conference All Star selection in his first season as a professional. He led all rookies in scoring, finished 2nd in assists, and 3rd in rebounding, and finally gave Sacramento a player to build around. Evans should be in the All Star discussion for years to come.  He joined elite company by being only the 4th rookie in NBA history to average 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists along with Robertson, Jordan, and James.

Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings

10.3 ppg, 1.2 ast, 4.5 rebs, .369% 3 PT

Surprisingly, Omri gave Sacramento a 2nd rookie to get excited about from last year’s draft. He proved to be a perfect fit at the forward position, providing scoring and rebounding in the Kings front-court. Even though the grind of a full 82 game season took it’s toll on Casspi late in the season(5 ppg, 2 rebs over the last 15 games), he still deserved a spot on the 1st Team.  Omri should be penciled in as the starting small forward for the Kings next season.  At least the Kings now have 2 players to build around for the future. 

Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls

8.9 ppg, 7.4 rebs, 1.3 blk

As a supporting player coming out of USC, not many people expected Gibson to play a major role for the Bulls this season. But due to injuries and lackluster front-court play for Chicago early in the season, Taj was thrusted into the starting line-up and provided almost immediate dividends for coach Del Negro. Gibson asserted himself on the defensive end by leading all rookies in rebounding and blocked shots as a starter in the Chicago front-court. Playing alongside Joakim Noah, he helped provide a much lacking defensive presence in the paint and helped lead the Bulls back to the playoffs.

2nd Team

Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets

8.3 ppg, 3.1 ast, .410% 3PT

While his numbers don’t necessarily show it, Lawson actually had a very good rookie campaign as the primary back-up for Chauncey Billups. Since Billups is a minutes grabber, all that was missing was playing time for Lawson. Concerns about his unorthodox shooting motion were quelled by his more than 40% from behind the arc. Not many players are faster with the ball than Lawson and he is a blur to defend in the open floor. Playing more minutes maybe could have earned him a spot on the 1st Team.

Darren Collison, NOH

12.3 ppg, 5.6 ast, 2.5 rebs, 1 stl, .396% 3PT

When Chris Paul returns at full strength next season, the Hornets have a dilemma on how to play two exceptional point guards on the floor at the same time, since Collison has proven to be a valuable NBA back-court option. In Paul’s absence due to injuries, he averaged 18 points and 8 assists and had the Hornets in contention for a playoff spot until the last month of the season. He was so good that there have been rumors that NOH may be willing to move Paul and his rather large salary this off-season.  Don’t count on it.

Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves

13.6 ppg, 4.4 ast, 2.4 rebs, 1 stl, .358% 3PT

Early in the season, Jonny played so well that he finagled the starting point guard spot away from the veteran, Ramon Sessions. As the season wore on, he became more and more inconsistent and turned the ball over way too much to be considered for a 1st Teamer. With that being said, Jonny did finish 5th in both scoring and assists among rookies. From his pedigree at Syracuse, many thought he would have gobbled up a few more steals on the defensive end. He has one more year to hone his skills at the point guard position before Ricky Rubio escapes from Europe.

Marcus Thornton, NOH

14.4 ppg, 2.9 rebs, .371% 3PT

After being drafted in the latter part of the 2nd round, Thornton became the steal of the draft by averaging nearly 20 ppg in the 2nd part of the season. He even scored the most by a rookie this season when he dropped 37 points on Cleveland back in February. Marcus was a godsend on a team who struggles to score points with Chris Paul on the sidelines for most of the season. Hornets brass would be wise to pencil in Thornton as their starting 2 guard for next season.

James Harden, OKC Thunder

9.9 ppg, 3.2 rebs, 1.1 stl, .376% 3PT

As a Top 5 pick in the draft last June, some would argue that Harden under-achieved this season. But when given playing time, he proved to be an excellent offensive weapon off of the bench for the upstart Thunder. While inconsistent at times, Harden has played well enough to soon be playing alongside Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in the starting line-up in the very near future. Although injuries have slowed him down towards the end of the season, he was averaging 14 ppg preceding being injured in early March.

Honorable Mention

Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers – 8.1 ppg, 3.8 ast, 2.6 rebs, 1.1 stl, .395% 3PT

Jonas Jerebko, Detroit Pistons – 9.2 ppg, 5.9 rebs, 1 stl.316% 3PT

Terrence Williams, NJ Nets – 8.5 ppg, 4.5 rebs, 2.9 ast

DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs – 7.5 ppg, 6.2 rebs, .555% FG

Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.  Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.