ESPNs David Thorpe Ranks AD Top Rookie

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1. Anthony Davis, Hornets
Davis has not been setting the world on fire to get to this top spot. He just keeps getting better and smarter and continues to produce efficiently. Studying two aspects of his game in particular -- ball screen action and transition offense -- show that even if he never learns to be a strong low-post scoring option, he's going to be an All-Star.

Davis is used a lot at the pinch-post area and often moves the ball to a guard before stepping toward the guard's defender to set the screen. New Orleans smartly uses Davis in these actions inside the 3-point line often, because he then can screen and roll and get to the rim in an instant. He is doing that with a high success rate, as his highlight-reel dunks suggest. Davis has learned that if he commits to the air immediately after the catch, he can get to the rim without much fear of charging, since a defender can't slide in front of him once he is airborne (without being called for the block).

He also looks so much smoother on his jumper, balanced with good arm extension, making him even harder to account for in these actions.

But as good as he is on ball screens, he's better in transition. In fact, he may be the best "big" transition player in the league after Blake Griffin. He gets out quickly once his team secures the rebound. The key is his first two steps, long and quick, helping him to jump out ahead of his man and get to the rim before his opponent does. He avails himself to lobs and regular passes and putbacks of missed layups.

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8. Brian Roberts, Hornets
If one rookie had to be chosen to do a basketball clinic for college players, it would have to be Roberts. His subject would be: "How to be the primary ball handler in ball screen actions." He is constantly stopping and starting, using and refusing the screen, and using two or even three different screens on a single possession.

Ever probing, Roberts reads the defenders near him but also near the rim, seeing if there is an angle to exploit that will get him to the basket. Absent one, he'll calmly rise up and shoot an open jumper or 3-pointer. He is one of the best in the NBA at this, undoubtedly helped by strong European tutoring the past few years.

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