ESPN Insider: Sophomore Disappointments

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Austin Rivers, Pelicans

During Rivers' rookie season, I could see he was learning how to get by his defender but wasn't ready to finish around help defenders. There was reason to believe the game would slow down for him some in his second season, helping him to finish around the rim better or just shoot better. But both areas continue to be major problems for him. His minutes are down because his production is the same or worse in almost every metric. And if Jrue Holiday hadn't been hurt, we'd probably almost never see Rivers play.

Rivers' burst of speed off a stop-and-go move is still close to elite level, but it doesn't result in anything good often enough. Still, his ability to break down defenses does create open looks for teammates off a swing pass or two and his competitiveness on defense is a plus. So all is not lost here, especially considering his age; at 21, he can still get much better.

But when your dad is an elite coach, and when you were one of the top prep players in the country who went to Duke and got drafted in the lottery ahead of John Henson, Jared Sullinger, Terrence Jones and Miles Plumlee (all who would look very nice playing next to Anthony Davis -- even off the bench), expectations are exceedingly high.

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SOPHOMORE 20 RANKINGS


1. Anthony Davis, Pelicans
2. Damian Lillard, Blazers
3. Andre Drummond, Pistons
4. Terrence Jones, Rockets
5. John Henson, Bucks
6. Jonas Valanciunas, Raptors
7. Jared Sullinger, Celtics
8. Bradley Beal, Wizards
9. Miles Plumlee, Suns
10. Dion Waiters, Cavaliers
11. Brian Roberts, Pelicans
12. Terrence Ross, Raptors
13. Thomas Robinson, Kings
14. Jeremy Lamb, Thunder
15. Mike Scott, Hawks
16. Khris Middleton, Bucks
17. Draymond Green, Warriors
18. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bobcats
19. Maurice Harkless, Magic
20. Kendall Marshall, Lakers