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NBA Awards Watch: Predicting The Rookie Of The Year Award Race

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team guard Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves (22) is interviewed by broadcaster Rachel Nichols (right) after being named the MVP after the game against the U.S. Team at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team guard Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves (22) is interviewed by broadcaster Rachel Nichols (right) after being named the MVP after the game against the U.S. Team at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; U.S. Team guard Zach LaVine of the Minnesota Timberwolves (8) dunks the basketball against the World Team during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; U.S. Team guard Zach LaVine of the Minnesota Timberwolves (8) dunks the basketball against the World Team during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Under the Radar Players Poised for 2nd Half Blossoming

Shabazz Napier – Miami Heat, PG

The season has been rocky for Shabazz Napier but he’s had his signature moments when given time. Moving forward he’s got 30 more games to prove that he should be the starting point guard of the Miami Heat. The organization and fan base is ready for some good point guard play and the job is his for the taking.

JaKarr Sampson – Philadelphia 76ers, SG

Recently the Philadelphia 76ers have started doing something that they weren’t expecting to do, win. One of the reasons why the Sixers have started playing a lot better is because of the way JaKarr Sampson has been playing. Sampson’s a good scorer and he’s going to keep getting buckets until the end of the season. This season Sampson’s shooting 46 percent from the floor.

Zach LaVine – Minnesota Timberwolves, PG

For all of the high flying dunks that we’ve seen from Zach LaVine, just realize that he’s actually a good player. This season LaVine’s had signature games against great competition such as the San Antonio Spurs where he had 22 points, three rebounds, and 10 assists. With Ricky Rubio back in the lineup maybe he can start getting minutes at his true position, shooting guard.

Aaron Gordon – Orlando Magic, PF

It was rumored that the last game of the year for Aaron Gordon was going to occur very early in the beginning of the season. Thankfully because he’s well rested and healthy again, Gordon is going to have a better ending to his rookie season than injury. Gordon’s one of the players that people should keep an eye on during the last quarter of the season.

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