re: Thorpe's All-Rookie Team

Apologies my fellow brethren


C: Gustavo Ayon, New Orleans Hornets
I know he's probably more of a power forward and seems out of place next to the college stars listed here, but his game and talent are real. He's a coordinated and fluid big man who knows how to play. I'd guess every other team wishes he was on their roster.

He plays the game as a veteran, which in many ways he is (he's 26 years old), and his learning curve to the NBA was fast. There have been many instances when he has proved to be a valuable frontcourt player, none more impactful than his 9-point, 10-board, 4-assist performance (with a block and a steal and no turnovers) in just 22 minutes to beat a Houston team that simply had to win the game to have a playoff shot.

As the Hornets retool, Ayon projects to be a similar player to the Bulls' Omer Asik. Know how Chicago has simply refused to include Asik in any trades? Consider Ayon almost as untouchable in the Big Easy.