When compared to the star-studded draft class of a year ago that produced big names such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade, the 2004 draft pool originally seemed to be relatively shallow. Few people expected any of the rookies beyond the first few picks in the draft to have any immediate and significant impact on their new squads. However, several rookies have silenced their doubters and become important parts of their teams' success.
One of the most unheralded rookies picked in the lottery was Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers. His athletic ability was recognized, but many thought his game did not extend much beyond his athleticism. However, after being the only Sixer to start every game this season, Iguodala has emerged as a pleasant surprise on what is otherwise viewed as a disappointing team. Iguodala has averaged 8.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in 32 minutes per game, as well as an impressive 1.68 steals per contest. He has combined with Allen Iverson to form a formidable defensive tandem in the Philly backcourt, and his versatility at both ends of the floor should make him a fixture in the Sixers' future lineup.
While Ben Gordon gets the most credit for boosting the Chicago Bulls in their breakout season, the impact of two of his rookie teammates, Luol Deng and Chris Duhon, on the success of the "Baby Bulls" cannot be disregarded. Deng and Duhon, who were teammates at Duke for a season before they were drafted, were reunited when Chicago acquired Deng on draft day from the Phoenix Suns. In just over 27 minutes a game, Deng is averaging 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds a game, while Duhon is second on the team in assists and steals, pairing up with Kirk Hinrich in Chicago's backcourt. Duhon was one of the steals of the draft, slipping to the 38th overall pick on concerns mainly about his scoring ability. Now, the rookie trio has been a key ingredient of the turnaround in Chicago this season. The formula for the Bulls has been a simple one. Since Duhon was inserted in the Bulls starting lineup following an 0-9 start, the Bulls have been 46-25.
Jameer Nelson was the 2003 AP National Player of the Year in his senior season at St. Joseph's. However, his lack of size and fast-break speed caused him to fall out of the lottery to the 20th pick, where he was selected by the Denver Nuggets and then traded to the Orlando Magic. Nelson has carried his penetration ability and range to the professional level. In the past several weeks, with the trade of Cuttino Mobley and the injury to Grant Hill, Nelson has gotten a chance to prove himself. He has responded by averaging 15 points, five assists and four rebounds since late February, proving his ability at the next level in the process.
While some of the aforementioned players were good picks in the draft, the player who appears to be the steal of the draft is Trevor Ariza of the New York Knicks. Knicks GM Isaiah Thomas, who has made several dubious moves in his tenure with the team, seems to have found significant potential with Ariza. Ariza, who made the leap to the pros after only one year of college ball at UCLA, surprised many scouts who found it foolish that he opted against staying in college at least one more year to improve his draft stock.
Ariza has the size and athletic ability to make it in the pros, and his basketball skills have been surprisingly solid since he began playing with the Knicks. Still a few months shy of his 20th birthday, Ariza will only continue to get better. New York only has Ariza signed through this season, so it would be a serious surprise if Isiah Thomas didn't reward the youngster with an extension and the opportunity to develop alongside the tandem of Jamal Crawford and Stephon Marbury.
