NBA rookie watch: Beal most likely to break out, Austin Rivers biggest disappointment

[gottapanda]

So here's one guy's opinion on the NBA rookies:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/Rookies-130125/midseason-awards

Most likely to break out in second half: Bradley Beal, Wizards

As we have mentioned in this space before, Beal got off to a slow start for the Florida Gators last season and then finished with a flourish. It appears he's starting to figure the pro game out a little faster. And now that John Wall is back and up to speed, Beal's half-court and full-court looks should improve dramatically. He's probably been the best rookie in January, proving to be one of the league's best shooters in 2013. Considering his age, that is the best news Wizards fans could possibly hope for.


Biggest disappointment: Austin Rivers, Hornets
Rivers has been awful. He is struggling to make shots, including free throws. If we did not know his name or his pedigree, there is no way anyone could think he was an NBA player. He is likely the worst player in the league who is actually getting playing time. I do not expect this to continue, but the facts are the facts, and he's getting worse, not better.

I have been following Beal, but not Rivers, this season. Beal is absolutely tearing it up since the start of the year. Sounds like Austin is having a pretty rough go of it.

[GatorPlanet]

Well, who would a coach want? Bradley "Team First" Beal, or Austin "Me First" Rivers?

[UFG8rGuy3283]

We have no idea how fortunate we are to have not landed Rivers.

[InstiGATOR1]

We have no idea how fortunate we are to have not landed Rivers.

Could be that the Rivers who committed to UF would have been a fine UF player, the Rivers who went to Duke was a player UF was lucky to miss out on and that Rivers could grow up and be a contributor in the NBA. Or Rivers might not ever grow up or might have a hole in his talent such that he will wash out of the NBA.

[don23lucia]

Wow hopefully Rivers reads that and it grounds him a little, great read.

[irish2u2]

It seems Rivers is as poplar with his Hornet/Pelican teammates as he was with his Dookie teammates who reportedly threw a party when he announced he was leaving school early to go into the NBA. :joecool:

Bradley's stroke has been off but the rest of his game is solid. As his shot selection improves he will be a star player for the Wizards. Poor guy. :joecool: The Wizards are really, really bad.

I have NBA League Pass and overall I like watching the Hornets/Pelicans. Rivers is just lost. There have been a few times he has shown an ability to score in bunches but mostly he gets pushed around and all the time he has that same petulant smirk JJ Redick had as a Dookie and pro. It would not displease me to see somebody wipe that smirk off Austin's arrogant face. :joecool:

[GatorLurker]

Rivers has lots of talent, but not even MJ could do it on his own in the NBA. He needed a couple of other guys and the right coach.

Then again Beal on the Wiz is like the worst of all possible places to end up as a good player. It used to be the Clippers, but they seem to be having a pretty good year.

[Jonas]

Rivers is a 0 guard and has no true position in the NBA. Too short for a SG and has no pg skills. No idea why people expected differently.

[ufgator4ever]

Yeah, but austin's sister could play volleyball!

[sHiNeR2]

Yeah, but austin's sister could play volleyball!

And she's super fine!!

[swampgas44]

Yeah, but austin's sister could play volleyball!

Actually, if you look back, Callie Rivers was inconsistant as an outside hitter for our volleyball team. However, she did have good leadership skills as a teammate, something Austin has not shown to have.

[Gator_Joe]

Rivers is a 0 guard and has no true position in the NBA. Too short for a SG and has no pg skills. No idea why people expected differently.

This ^^^

[UFG8rGuy3283]

Rivers is a 0 guard and has no true position in the NBA. Too short for a SG and has no pg skills. No idea why people expected differently.

But, but...he's sub-zero....<eyeroll>...the kid makes one shot at Duke and ESPN anoints him as a stud last year.

[themistocles]

The universe is complex.

Many people overcome very slow starts and become very good.

Some have great starts and then drop off considerably.

Coaching is a huge factor, but yes, Team First versus Me First is the player you want on your Team.