| | |  | | Atkins has come out of nowhere to be a valued Orlando player. |
Since there is so much debate about who the Rookie of the Year will be, we decided to turn our attention in this week's Decision 2000 to something involving young players. So this week we look at young point guards, players who are in their third year or less. Sure, Stephon Marbury is just a kid, but he's in his fourth season.
Some of the guys on our list are very raw and not making a huge impact, while a few others are in the running for Rookie of the Year honors. But that's what makes this so much fun. Maybe you think a guy like Baron Davis will end up being better than a Steve Francis or Andre Miller? Maybe Jason Williams will vastly improve? And despite the fact the Clips have been playing Lamar Odom there, Odom is not a point guard.
This forum is just for the users. We don't give our opinions (for a change), we just give you the options and let you vote and flood our e-mail box. The poll is at the right and the place to send mail is at the bottom of the page.
Check out our Decision 2000 results file to see what you thought the last two weeks, and check for the results of this week's topic, young point guards, next week. The players are listed in alphabetical order. Enjoy.
Who is the best young point guard in the NBA?
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CHUCKY ATKINS
Key Stats: 9.4 pts, 3.7 asts, 19.7 minutes
Age: 25
Team: Magic
The most pleasant surprise of this group? This undrafted guy was brought in to help work out the other point guards in Orlando, and Doc saw how good he was. On a balanced Magic team, Atkins sometimes leads in scoring. Averaged 13.7 points and 5.7 assists in February. |
MIKE BIBBY
Key Stats: 14.5 pts, 7.8 asts, 1.6 stls
Age: 21
Team: Grizz
Second overall pick of '98 draft from Arizona has really stepped up in second season. All his numbers are up from first year and he's become a leader. Still turns the ball over a bit too much, and his three-point range is still developing, but he's a solid building block on a young team. |
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ANTHONY CARTER
Key Stats: 6.4 pts, 4.8 asts, 1.1 stls
Age: 24
Team: Heat
Undrafted out of Hawaii, Carter filled in well with Tim Hardaway out of the lineup. Can he be a starter in the NBA? Pat Riley thinks highly of him, but Carter needs to work on the outside shooting (.386 FG for season). Averaging 9.2 points and 6.6 assists as a starter.
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VONT. CUMMINGS
Key Stats: 9.4 pts, 3.5 asts, 1.3 stls
Age: 24
Team: Warriors
Did a nice job when Mookie Blaylock was out, but when Mookie is in, Vonteego's minutes and role is unclear. Isn't really a two-guard, though he plays a little there. Has range and good passing ability, but rookie from Pittsburgh is still raw. Shooting 40 percent for the season.
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BARON DAVIS
Key Stats: 5.9 pts, 3.8 asts, 1.2 stls
Age: 20
Team: Hornets
Definitely more point guard of the future than the present, the Hornets nabbed him with the No. 3 pick this year but aren't rushing him. Might Baron put up better numbers than David Wesley? Possibly. UCLA high-riser with past knee problems may need a few years to develop.
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STEVE FRANCIS
Key Stats: 17.5 pts, 6.7 asts, 5.1 rebs
Age: 22
Team: Rockets
Has legit shot to win the Rookie of the Year. Was second pick in draft by Grizzlies, then dealt to Houston. Played only one season at Maryland, where point guard skills were questioned, but other than some hefty turnover numbers, he's legit. Might move to the two like Iverson.
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BREVIN KNIGHT
Key Stats: 10.2 pts, 7 asts, 1.8 stls
Age: 24
Team: Cavs
Likely to end up on another team next season, because Andre Miller is Cleveland's future, but some team will love him. In third year out of Stanford (No. 16 pick), Knight is great ballhawk who could lead league in steals. Outside shot is another story. Could start for plenty of teams.
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ANDRE MILLER
Key Stats: 11.5 pts, 5.7 asts, 1.1 stls
Age: 23
Team: Cavs
If Cleveland would have just started the No. 8 pick from Utah all season, he might have won the Rookie of the Year. As it is, we rank him fourth. In his 17 starts he has averaged 16 points, 9.6 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals -- looks like Francis numbers, right? Miller's a future star.
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JASON TERRY
Key Stats: 7.5 pts, 3.6 asts, 1.1 stls
Age: 22
Team: Hawks
Tenth pick in draft sat behind Bimbo Coles for far too long, but now is looking good as a starter. Averaging 11.4 points and 8.4 assists as starter. Played four years at Arizona, but is he a one or a two? Answer is he's a one, and looks like a keeper for rebuilding Hawks.
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JASON WILLIAMS
Key Stats: 12.2 pts, 7.7 asts, 1.5 stls
Age: 24
Team: Kings
Flashy second-year man out of Florida (No. 7 pick) turns the ball over way too much and is barely hitting a third of his field goals, but he's never boring. However, he could be so much better. Averaging 3.8 turnovers and shooting .355 from floor and plays questionable defense.
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Sound off on the top young point guard in the box provided below. Be sure to fill out the form completely. If you omit your name or city, we'll ignore you. Just hit the "submit" button to send your comment to us.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Decision 2000 Results: Lunch-pail players
NBA Decision 2000: Lunch-pail player
NBA Decision 2000 Results
NBA Decision 2000: Defenders
NBA Decision 2000 Results: It's Shaq
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