It's not every year that the No. 5 pick in the draft can be so overshadowed by a rookie teammate.
But that's the situation Jeff Green finds himself in with the Sonics.
Green, who last season helped carry Georgetown to the Final Four, landed in Seattle after the Celtics -- who took him with the fifth pick -- included him in the deal for Ray Allen. Of course, that meant he'd join No. 2 pick Kevin Durant in the Sonics' youth movement.
"I've seen both sides of being a rookie -- coming in and not being known as well, and getting all of the attention," Green told the Seattle Times. "I think I'm getting the best of it. I'm learning a lot from it and knowing what to expect."
Out of the limelight, the 21-year-old forward has mixed flashes of excellence with bouts of inconsistency. In November, Green had back-to-back double-doubles, and he finished the month averaging 10 points (on 44.6 percent shooting) and 5.9 rebounds. Last week, the former Hoya had a 17-point performance, but scored a combined 13 points in his three other games. He's averaging 7.1 points (on 39.6 percent shooting) and 4.9 rebounds so far in December.
"[He's] been more up and down because of how we've used him," coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "He needs more regular minutes -- 20, 24 minimum a game."
Luckily for Green, his ups and downs are often eclipsed by those of the Sonics' other rookie. What's his name again?
(Send comments, complaints or hype for your favorite rookie to Drew Packham at drew.packham@turner.com.)
<TABLE style="CLEAR: both" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=cnnPWTitle colSpan=4>NBA Rookie Rankings</TD></TR><TR class=cnnPWHeader><TD align=middle width=50>Rank</TD><TD align=middle width=50>LW</TD><TD width=110></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999 1px solid" width=342>Player</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>1</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>1</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Kevin Durant, Seattle SuperSonics
Durant had one of his best games on one of the grandest stages. Durant's first visit to Madison Square Garden as a pro resulted in a 30-point night on 11-of-20 shooting and a Sonics victory. "I was nervous coming here and playing in the Garden, but it was fun," Durant told reporters afterward. "I think we played very well. It's the Garden. Everyone says it's the best arena in the world. Right before we went out, my heart was beating real fast." In this age of big-dollar contracts, it's always refreshing to see such enthusiasm. Of course, Durant followed that with eight turnovers against Minnesota two nights later. I guess the Target Center doesn't elicit such emotions.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>2</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>4</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee Bucks
Yi scored a career-high 22 points in the Bucks' win over Minnesota last Friday, capping a week in which he averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He also shot 63.3 percent from the field and made all 12 of his free throw attempts. Yi entered the week as one of three rookies (along with Durant and Juan Carlos Navarro) averaging at least 10 points.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>3</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>2</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
It was a tough week for Horford, and not just because he struggled statistically. Horford's flagrant foul on T.J. Ford was the big news, but it's hard to fault Horford. Watching the tape (and Horford's interviews after the game), I'm going to give the Hawks' big man the benefit of the doubt. It's not easy defending the sneaky Ford and, while it's unfortunate the Raptors' point guard was injured, it didn't appear Horford meant to take him out so hard.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>4</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>3</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Jamario Moon, Toronto Raptors
About seven weeks into his NBA career, the 6-foot-8 Moon is already close to making team history. Through Sunday, Moon had a block in 16 consecutive games, five shy of Marcus Camby's franchise record. Not too shabby for an undrafted 27-year-old rookie out of Goodwater, Ala.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>5</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>5</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Juan Carlos Navarro, Memphis Grizzlies
Say this about Navarro: His confidence is not in question. La Bomba started last week by going 2-for-11 from beyond the arc in the Grizzlies' first two games -- both losses. But on Saturday, Navarro, starting in place of an injured Pau Gasol, played a season-high 40 minutes, scored 27 points and hit key shots down the stretch of the Grizzlies' 123-119 win over the Magic. Navarro is averaging 16.8 points on 46.3 percent shooting in eight starts.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>6</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>7</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Jeff Green, Seattle SuperSonics
Despite his dip in production this month, Green still ranks fifth among rookies in scoring (8.9 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (5.4 per game). It may be hard for Sonics fans to see the team without Ray Allen, but Green's future seems bright.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>7</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>8</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Daequan Cook, Miami Heat
After starting the week with a DNP-CD in Miami's win over Phoenix and a scoreless game in a loss to the Wizards he came back with 14 points and six rebounds in Saturday's loss the Pacers. Cook is fourth among rookies in scoring (9.5 ppg), fifth in field goal percentage (44.2) and first in free throw shooting (92.9).
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>8</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>9</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Sean Williams, New Jersey Nets
Williams' block party could help him set a Nets mark for rookies. He is averaging 1.89 blocks, first among rookies and 13th overall. His pace is ahead of that of Kenyon Martin, who set the Nets rookie mark with 1.66 during the 2000-01 season. As for the most prolific all-time rookie shot-blocker? Williams won't be catching Manute Bol, who averaged 4.97 blocks with the Bullets in 1985-86.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>9</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>--</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Glen Davis, Boston Celtics
Big Baby has a bed to thank for his coming-out party. After Celtics center Kendrick Perkins' freak accident in which a bed fell on his toe, Davis got his first start and had 16 points and nine rebounds while going 10-for-10 from the foul line. "Baby was good after hyperventilating through the first half. He was terrific," coach Doc Rivers said after the Celtics' 90-78 win over the Kings last Wednesday. Davis just didn't want to screw up. "You think all kinds of things," he said. "Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. You don't want to mess up. So just breathe in and breathe out, absorb it. This is a beautiful thing here."
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>10</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>6</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Scola has been one of the most up-and-down rookies so far. Just looking back through our previous top 10 lists, Scola's ranking looks like this: 4, 8, 4, 7 and now 10th. SI.com's Jack McCallum saw Scola up close recently and said it "looked like he had wandered onto a basketball court for the first time in his life." That's not a very good analysis for a 27-year-old rookie.
</TD></TR></TR><TR></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWTeam colSpan=4>Honorable mention: Nick Young, Wizards (bounced out of the rankings by Big Baby); Corey Brewer, Timberwolves (defensive skills make him close to joining top 10); Jared Dudley, Bobcats (7 points, 6 rebounds vs. Atlanta in rare start); Jason Smith, 76ers (5.0 ppg, 3.1 rbg, 16.0 mpg)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
But that's the situation Jeff Green finds himself in with the Sonics.
Green, who last season helped carry Georgetown to the Final Four, landed in Seattle after the Celtics -- who took him with the fifth pick -- included him in the deal for Ray Allen. Of course, that meant he'd join No. 2 pick Kevin Durant in the Sonics' youth movement.
"I've seen both sides of being a rookie -- coming in and not being known as well, and getting all of the attention," Green told the Seattle Times. "I think I'm getting the best of it. I'm learning a lot from it and knowing what to expect."
Out of the limelight, the 21-year-old forward has mixed flashes of excellence with bouts of inconsistency. In November, Green had back-to-back double-doubles, and he finished the month averaging 10 points (on 44.6 percent shooting) and 5.9 rebounds. Last week, the former Hoya had a 17-point performance, but scored a combined 13 points in his three other games. He's averaging 7.1 points (on 39.6 percent shooting) and 4.9 rebounds so far in December.
"[He's] been more up and down because of how we've used him," coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "He needs more regular minutes -- 20, 24 minimum a game."
Luckily for Green, his ups and downs are often eclipsed by those of the Sonics' other rookie. What's his name again?
(Send comments, complaints or hype for your favorite rookie to Drew Packham at drew.packham@turner.com.)
<TABLE style="CLEAR: both" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=cnnPWTitle colSpan=4>NBA Rookie Rankings</TD></TR><TR class=cnnPWHeader><TD align=middle width=50>Rank</TD><TD align=middle width=50>LW</TD><TD width=110></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999 1px solid" width=342>Player</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>1</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>1</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Kevin Durant, Seattle SuperSonicsDurant had one of his best games on one of the grandest stages. Durant's first visit to Madison Square Garden as a pro resulted in a 30-point night on 11-of-20 shooting and a Sonics victory. "I was nervous coming here and playing in the Garden, but it was fun," Durant told reporters afterward. "I think we played very well. It's the Garden. Everyone says it's the best arena in the world. Right before we went out, my heart was beating real fast." In this age of big-dollar contracts, it's always refreshing to see such enthusiasm. Of course, Durant followed that with eight turnovers against Minnesota two nights later. I guess the Target Center doesn't elicit such emotions.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>2</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>4</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee BucksYi scored a career-high 22 points in the Bucks' win over Minnesota last Friday, capping a week in which he averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He also shot 63.3 percent from the field and made all 12 of his free throw attempts. Yi entered the week as one of three rookies (along with Durant and Juan Carlos Navarro) averaging at least 10 points.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>3</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>2</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Al Horford, Atlanta HawksIt was a tough week for Horford, and not just because he struggled statistically. Horford's flagrant foul on T.J. Ford was the big news, but it's hard to fault Horford. Watching the tape (and Horford's interviews after the game), I'm going to give the Hawks' big man the benefit of the doubt. It's not easy defending the sneaky Ford and, while it's unfortunate the Raptors' point guard was injured, it didn't appear Horford meant to take him out so hard.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>4</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>3</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Jamario Moon, Toronto RaptorsAbout seven weeks into his NBA career, the 6-foot-8 Moon is already close to making team history. Through Sunday, Moon had a block in 16 consecutive games, five shy of Marcus Camby's franchise record. Not too shabby for an undrafted 27-year-old rookie out of Goodwater, Ala.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>5</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>5</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Juan Carlos Navarro, Memphis GrizzliesSay this about Navarro: His confidence is not in question. La Bomba started last week by going 2-for-11 from beyond the arc in the Grizzlies' first two games -- both losses. But on Saturday, Navarro, starting in place of an injured Pau Gasol, played a season-high 40 minutes, scored 27 points and hit key shots down the stretch of the Grizzlies' 123-119 win over the Magic. Navarro is averaging 16.8 points on 46.3 percent shooting in eight starts.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>6</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>7</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Jeff Green, Seattle SuperSonicsDespite his dip in production this month, Green still ranks fifth among rookies in scoring (8.9 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (5.4 per game). It may be hard for Sonics fans to see the team without Ray Allen, but Green's future seems bright.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>7</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>8</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Daequan Cook, Miami HeatAfter starting the week with a DNP-CD in Miami's win over Phoenix and a scoreless game in a loss to the Wizards he came back with 14 points and six rebounds in Saturday's loss the Pacers. Cook is fourth among rookies in scoring (9.5 ppg), fifth in field goal percentage (44.2) and first in free throw shooting (92.9).
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>8</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>9</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Sean Williams, New Jersey NetsWilliams' block party could help him set a Nets mark for rookies. He is averaging 1.89 blocks, first among rookies and 13th overall. His pace is ahead of that of Kenyon Martin, who set the Nets rookie mark with 1.66 during the 2000-01 season. As for the most prolific all-time rookie shot-blocker? Williams won't be catching Manute Bol, who averaged 4.97 blocks with the Bullets in 1985-86.
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>9</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>--</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Glen Davis, Boston CelticsBig Baby has a bed to thank for his coming-out party. After Celtics center Kendrick Perkins' freak accident in which a bed fell on his toe, Davis got his first start and had 16 points and nine rebounds while going 10-for-10 from the foul line. "Baby was good after hyperventilating through the first half. He was terrific," coach Doc Rivers said after the Celtics' 90-78 win over the Kings last Wednesday. Davis just didn't want to screw up. "You think all kinds of things," he said. "Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. You don't want to mess up. So just breathe in and breathe out, absorb it. This is a beautiful thing here."
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWRank>10</TD><TD class=cnnPWLW>6</TD><TD class=cnnPWLogo align=middle>
</TD><TD class=cnnPWTeam vAlign=top>Luis Scola, Houston RocketsScola has been one of the most up-and-down rookies so far. Just looking back through our previous top 10 lists, Scola's ranking looks like this: 4, 8, 4, 7 and now 10th. SI.com's Jack McCallum saw Scola up close recently and said it "looked like he had wandered onto a basketball court for the first time in his life." That's not a very good analysis for a 27-year-old rookie.
</TD></TR></TR><TR></TR><TR><TD class=cnnPWTeam colSpan=4>Honorable mention: Nick Young, Wizards (bounced out of the rankings by Big Baby); Corey Brewer, Timberwolves (defensive skills make him close to joining top 10); Jared Dudley, Bobcats (7 points, 6 rebounds vs. Atlanta in rare start); Jason Smith, 76ers (5.0 ppg, 3.1 rbg, 16.0 mpg)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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