Post by Ollie on Feb 15, 2011 8:22:37 GMT -5
SSBL - All League Rookie team
A look into the recently released SSBL All League Rookie Team
Sergei Karaulov | Andrea Bargnani | Linas Kleiza | Lenny Cooke | Rajon Rondo
Center: Sergei Karaulov - Milwaukee Bucks
5.9ppg | 10.7rpg | 2.9bpg
Sergei Karaulov was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2004 SSBL draft with the 23rd pick of the 2nd round. Karaulov would stay overseas for a season in his native Russia before coming over to Milwaukee the following season. The Bucks liked the progress Karaulov made but assigned him to their D-League affiliate the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for a season. So after being drafted two years ago with the 52nd overall pick Karaulov started his rookie campaign this year and the extra work seemed to paid off. Karaulov averaged 10.7rpg and 2.9bpg (good for joint 2nd in the league) as the starting center for the Bucks, collecting 11 double doubles in his rookie campaign. His offense still needs some work only averaging 5.9ppg but his work as a defensive and rebounding center has impressed those in Milwuakee.
Forward: Andrea Bargnani - Milwaukee Bucks
18.2ppg | 8.5rpg | 1.3bpg
At PF is the 2nd overall pick from last season's draft and Karaulov's Milwaukee teammate, Andrea Bargnani. The Italian has made a big impression in his rookie campaign and was voted as the starting PF for the East in the all star game. Bargnani averaged 18.2ppg, 8.5rpg and 1.3bpg as the starting power forward for the Bucks, the 7 footer is capable of playing 3 positions but has seemed to make the PF his position his own as he cemetes himself as the cornerstone of the Milwaukee franchise. Bargnani collected 32 double doubles his rookie campaign and boosts career highs of 39 points and 18 rebounds. Bargnani will be keen to get Milwaukee their first playoff apperence since 2003 next season and bring back the memories of the 2002 championship winning Milwaukee Bucks side.
Forward: Linas Kleiza - Detroit Pistons
16.5ppg | 6.7rpg | 2.7apg
At the other forward position is Linas Kleiza. The 6'8 forward from Lithuania was originally drafted in the 2005 SSBL draft by the Charlotte Hornets with the 6th pick of the 2nd round. The Hornets then assigned him to their D-League affiliate the Maine Red Claws for the season to continue his development. In the next offseason Kleiza was traded alongside 3 draft picks to the Pistons for Hedo Turkoglu. Kleiza went straight into the starting SF position for the rebuilding Detroit Pistons and had a very solid rookie season, averaging 16.5ppg and 6.7rpg. Kleiza is now however an unrestricted free agent as the Charlotte Hornets decided against activating the 3rd year option after drafting him. After a solid debut season it will be interesting to see what interest there will be out there for Kleiza in what is a hotly anticipated free agent class.
Guard: Lenny Cooke - Minnesota Timberwolves
17.7ppg | 6.4rpg | 2.6spg
What a great journey Lenny Cooke's SSBL career has been, originally drafted back in 2004 with the 23rd overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves he was immediately assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, their SSBL D-League affiliate. After spending the whole season in the D-League, the Timberwolves then assigned him down for another season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. As one of the best teams in the Western Conference they felt it was in his best interest to keep improving in the DLeague. After another full season in the D-League, Cooke showed real improvement in his game in a desire to show his worth to the Timberwolves organisation. Cooke's hard work on both ends of the floor was rewarded as he went into the Timberwolves starting lineup and helped them to a league best 64 wins. In a great rookie season and not only being named to the All Rookie Team, Cooke's 2.6spg helped him be named to the All-Defensive Second Team as a rookie.
Guard: Rajon Rondo - Cleveland Cavaliers
13.4ppg | 5.3rpg | 8.3apg
Finally, voted rookie of the year, point guard Rajon Rondo. Drafted with the 5th overall pick by the Cavaliers, Rondo went straight into the started lineup. Renouned for his handling and defensive abilites coming into the league Rondo didnt disapoint, averaging 8.3apg and 2.1spg for the season. At only 20 years of age Rondo showed great maturity to lead the young Cavaliers to their first playoff appereance in 4 years. Also averaging an impressive 5.3rpg for a point guard, Rondo collected 4 triple doubles during his rookie season along with 24 double doubles. Rondo appears to be the cornerstone of the Cavaliers organisation and if this season is another to go by the rookie of the year has a promising future ahead of him, thats for sure.
A look into the recently released SSBL All League Rookie Team
Sergei Karaulov | Andrea Bargnani | Linas Kleiza | Lenny Cooke | Rajon Rondo
Center: Sergei Karaulov - Milwaukee Bucks
5.9ppg | 10.7rpg | 2.9bpg
Sergei Karaulov was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2004 SSBL draft with the 23rd pick of the 2nd round. Karaulov would stay overseas for a season in his native Russia before coming over to Milwaukee the following season. The Bucks liked the progress Karaulov made but assigned him to their D-League affiliate the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for a season. So after being drafted two years ago with the 52nd overall pick Karaulov started his rookie campaign this year and the extra work seemed to paid off. Karaulov averaged 10.7rpg and 2.9bpg (good for joint 2nd in the league) as the starting center for the Bucks, collecting 11 double doubles in his rookie campaign. His offense still needs some work only averaging 5.9ppg but his work as a defensive and rebounding center has impressed those in Milwuakee.
Forward: Andrea Bargnani - Milwaukee Bucks
18.2ppg | 8.5rpg | 1.3bpg
At PF is the 2nd overall pick from last season's draft and Karaulov's Milwaukee teammate, Andrea Bargnani. The Italian has made a big impression in his rookie campaign and was voted as the starting PF for the East in the all star game. Bargnani averaged 18.2ppg, 8.5rpg and 1.3bpg as the starting power forward for the Bucks, the 7 footer is capable of playing 3 positions but has seemed to make the PF his position his own as he cemetes himself as the cornerstone of the Milwaukee franchise. Bargnani collected 32 double doubles his rookie campaign and boosts career highs of 39 points and 18 rebounds. Bargnani will be keen to get Milwaukee their first playoff apperence since 2003 next season and bring back the memories of the 2002 championship winning Milwaukee Bucks side.
Forward: Linas Kleiza - Detroit Pistons
16.5ppg | 6.7rpg | 2.7apg
At the other forward position is Linas Kleiza. The 6'8 forward from Lithuania was originally drafted in the 2005 SSBL draft by the Charlotte Hornets with the 6th pick of the 2nd round. The Hornets then assigned him to their D-League affiliate the Maine Red Claws for the season to continue his development. In the next offseason Kleiza was traded alongside 3 draft picks to the Pistons for Hedo Turkoglu. Kleiza went straight into the starting SF position for the rebuilding Detroit Pistons and had a very solid rookie season, averaging 16.5ppg and 6.7rpg. Kleiza is now however an unrestricted free agent as the Charlotte Hornets decided against activating the 3rd year option after drafting him. After a solid debut season it will be interesting to see what interest there will be out there for Kleiza in what is a hotly anticipated free agent class.
Guard: Lenny Cooke - Minnesota Timberwolves
17.7ppg | 6.4rpg | 2.6spg
What a great journey Lenny Cooke's SSBL career has been, originally drafted back in 2004 with the 23rd overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves he was immediately assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, their SSBL D-League affiliate. After spending the whole season in the D-League, the Timberwolves then assigned him down for another season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. As one of the best teams in the Western Conference they felt it was in his best interest to keep improving in the DLeague. After another full season in the D-League, Cooke showed real improvement in his game in a desire to show his worth to the Timberwolves organisation. Cooke's hard work on both ends of the floor was rewarded as he went into the Timberwolves starting lineup and helped them to a league best 64 wins. In a great rookie season and not only being named to the All Rookie Team, Cooke's 2.6spg helped him be named to the All-Defensive Second Team as a rookie.
Guard: Rajon Rondo - Cleveland Cavaliers
13.4ppg | 5.3rpg | 8.3apg
Finally, voted rookie of the year, point guard Rajon Rondo. Drafted with the 5th overall pick by the Cavaliers, Rondo went straight into the started lineup. Renouned for his handling and defensive abilites coming into the league Rondo didnt disapoint, averaging 8.3apg and 2.1spg for the season. At only 20 years of age Rondo showed great maturity to lead the young Cavaliers to their first playoff appereance in 4 years. Also averaging an impressive 5.3rpg for a point guard, Rondo collected 4 triple doubles during his rookie season along with 24 double doubles. Rondo appears to be the cornerstone of the Cavaliers organisation and if this season is another to go by the rookie of the year has a promising future ahead of him, thats for sure.
