Fansided

NBA: 10 impact rookies of 2014-15

By Bryce Olin

Sep 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) speaks with reporters during media day at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) speaks with reporters during media day at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jordan Adams (3) dribbles against Florida Gators forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) during the second half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jordan Adams (3) dribbles against Florida Gators forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) during the second half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Jordan Adams- SG, Memphis Grizzlies

I’m afraid people might be sleeping on Jordan Adams. That often happens with late first-round picks. He doesn’t have the same buzz surrounding him that the lottery picks have, but he’s easily better than at least half the players that were taken before him in the draft. I’m looking at you Zach LaVine and Nik Stauskas…

Players like LaVine and Stauskas have the length and athleticism that people attribute to potential in the NBA. That has little to do with their actual skill level, though. LaVine and Stauskas are good players and freak athletes, but do you think they’re ready to hold their own against some of the best wings in the NBA? I don’t.

Adams, on the other hand, is much more NBA-ready product. At first, he’s going to be playing behind Tony Allen, Courtney Lee, Mike Miller, and Vince Carter. As the season goes on, Adams will force his way into the lineup and rotation. The Grizzlies will have to use him. All those players have had injury problems in their careers. Plus, Carter and Miller could retire at any moment and I don’t think anyone would necessarily surprised. Two years ago, Miller couldn’t even run up and down the court.

If Dwyane Wade and James Harden had a baby and that baby was never going to be as good as them but would still be pretty good and play a little defense, Jordan Adams would be that baby!

He’s got Harden’s Euro-step down; he’s got some of Wade’s ability to absorb contact and score. Right now, Adams isn’t a great three-point shooter. He averaged 36 percent from three last season with the Bruins. The good thing is he’s still very young and showed major improvement between his freshman and sophomore season at UCLA.

In the Orlando summer league, Adams averaged 14.8 PPG, and in his first summer league game, scored 22 points and made 4-of-6 from three-point range. This dude is ready for some real NBA action.

Adams was a steal for the Grizzlies late in the first-round, and he’s going to be great next season. Book it.

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