January 9, 2009

Joe Schaller

TPR scale: 180+ MVP, 140+ superstar, 110+ allstar, 85+ starter, 65+ bench

straight TPR: Minute for minute there has been no rookie more productive than the Blazers' sharpshooter Rudy Fernandez. If not for some very suspect defense it would have been Marreese Speights with top TPR. He will improve in that area and like Thaddeus Young last year is the Sixers rookie who is the surprise of the season and the one to keep an eye on.

Top Ten Rookie TPR

1. Rudy Fernandez Por___109
   
2. Marreese Speights Phi_101.5
   
3. Anthony Morrow GS____97.8
   
4. Derrick Rose Chi______93.1
   
5. Eric Gordon LAC_______92.5
   
6. Mario Chalmers Mia____91.7
   
7. O J Mayo Mem________90.9
   
8. D J Augustin Cha______86.5
   
9. George Hill SA________86.3
   
10. Nicolas Batum Por_____85.2

Minutes played: It is difficult for a rookie to maintain a high TPR when playing major minutes and the fact that a coach allots those minutes to a rookie is another good indicator of performance.

My top seven rookies are all guards, which may make choosing the allstar rookie team difficult. While Michael Beasley has struggled, mostly on defense, second round pick Mario Chalmers has quickly fit in as the Heats starting point guard.
Look for Russell Westbrook, Marc Gasol and Speights to rise on the list.

Final rookie score

1. Derrick Rose Chi______120.1
   
2. O J Mayo Mem________119
   
3. Rudy Fernandez Por___113
   
4. Mario Chalmers Mia____107.7
   
5. Eric Gordon LAC_______101.5
   
6. D J Augustin Cha______96.5
   
7. Russell Westbrook OKC_95.3
   
8. Brook Lopez NJ_______87.2
   
9. Marc Gasol Mem_______83.3
   
10. Marreese Speights Phi__79.5

Total Performance Ratings-- since 1996

1. Scoring
   
2. Scoring Efficiency
   
3. Ballhandling
   
4. Rebounding
   
5. Disruptive Defense
   
6. One on one Defense
   
7. Team Defense
   
8. Team Game Pace
   
9. Schedule Strength
   
10. Projected Improvement or Decline
    
11. Teams Wins Adjustment

Ratings indicate productivity per minute played. See my feature "The TPR Formula" for more information.

• Joe Schaller
  
• 505-722-3103
  
• schaller_6@msn.com