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 22, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard P.J. Hairston (15) celebrates after a score with teammate Reggie Bullock (35) against the Villanova Wildcats in the second half during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Sprint Center. North Carolina defeated Villanova 78-71. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard P.J. Hairston (15) celebrates after a score with teammate Reggie Bullock (35) against the Villanova Wildcats in the second half during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Sprint Center. North Carolina defeated Villanova 78-71. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

5. P.J. Hairston- SF, Charlotte Hornets

Say what you will about Hairston’s off-the-court antics, but he’s a good basketball player. I still can’t understand why the Miami Heat traded him for Shabazz Napier anyway, only to keep Napier, Mario Chalmers, and Norris Cole. Realistically, Hairston should be better than all three of those players, and he might be better all of them right now.

After Hairston’s debacle, for lack of a better word, at North Carolina, he averaged 21.7 PPG and shot 36 percent from three-point range in the D-league with the Texas Legends. With the loss of Josh McRoberts (also to the Miami Heat, weird), the Hornets have to replace his three-point production, which wasn’t much, but the Hornets only shot 35 percent as a team last season and ranked 23rd in the league. The Hornets need shooters and scorers. Hairston should be able to fill some of that void.

I’m not naïve enough to think Hairston’s D-league performance is sure-fire proof he’s going to be an NBA star. Seth Curry scored 44 points in a D-league playoff game; I know D-league success rarely translates to success in the NBA.

Hairston isn’t going to be looked upon to carry the offensive load in Charlotte. The Hornets have a good team and an even better one than last season with the addition of Lance Stephenson. Every team needs a sixth, seventh, and eighth man off the bench; Hairston will be one of those guys for the Hornets, and he should excel in that role.

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